Why Gen Z Is Protesting Now
Around the world, a generation born roughly between 1997 and 2010 is stepping onto the streets with a unique blend of digital savvy and street-level resolve. Known for growing up with smartphones, social media, and instant access to information, Gen Z is using these tools not just to vent, but to organize, mobilize, and demand accountability from governments and institutions. Economic insecurity, stagnant wages, rising living costs, and deep-seated corruption are common threads that unite protests from Asia to Latin America.
Unlike previous eras, today’s youth often distrust traditional leaders and political parties. They don’t wait for a formal party platform or a long campaign to voice dissent; they convene online, stage offline marches, and translate online movements into real-world action. This politics of immediacy reflects a broader shift: governance that ignores ordinary people is no longer tolerated, and young people see themselves as agents of change in their own right.
Nepal: Social Media Bans Ignite Youth-Led Marches
In Nepal, the triggering moment was a government decision to restrict major social networks, accusing a failure to register platforms with the state. Thousands of young people—often students in uniforms—took to the streets of Kathmandu, demanding freedom of information, accountability, and a reduction in corruption across institutions. Security forces responded with force, and clashes with police led to injuries and arrests as protesters pressed for an open, transparent governance process. The protest signaled a broader demand for civil liberties and a more accountable state in a country grappling with governance challenges.
Philippines: Floods, Funds, and Frustration with Governance
In the Philippines, Gen Z joined mass demonstrations against perceived rampant corruption and mismanagement, especially in the wake of devastating floods and infrastructure projects widely seen as flawed or overpriced. The government had poured billions into flood-control programs, yet critics argued lapses in oversight and accountability allowed contracts to be awarded without real value for money. A September protest saw hundreds of arrests and thousands of participants, and calls intensified for a probe into graft and for reforms that would create stable, fairly paid jobs and protect public services. The movement framed corruption as a barrier to everyday security, prosperity, and dignity for ordinary families.
Indonesia: Wage Probes and Housing Allowances Spark Youth Uprising
In Indonesia, protests began in large part over proposed increases to lawmakers’ salaries and housing allowances, paired with cuts to education, health, and public works budgets. The demonstrations widened into a broader critique of elite privilege and governmental mismanagement. In Jakarta, clashes erupted after a delivery rider was killed during protests, leading to thousands of arrests and material losses as businesses and transit systems were damaged. Youths argued that unemployment and underpayment were widespread, particularly among graduates who faced a tight job market and rising living costs. The call was for a more equitable economy and transparent governance that serves the many, not the few.
Peru: Pension Reform Triggers Street Demands
Peru’s Gen Z rose in response to controversial pension reforms that would shift more retirement funding toward private plans. The protests, which intensified in Lima in September, highlighted broader disillusion with a political class accused of corruption and mismanagement. Security forces clashed with protesters, resulting in fatalities and injuries as demonstrators demanded the resignation of leadership figures and a reimagined social contract—one that guarantees decent jobs, fair wages, and true parliamentary accountability. The outcry underscored a larger pattern: when economic precarity meets perceived corruption, youthful energy translates into sustained, street-level pressure for reform.
Shared Threads Across Borders
Four common dynamics emerge across these protests. First, economic precarity motivates action: with jobs scarce and living costs rising, younger generations push for tangible improvements in wages and public services. Second, trust in institutions is fraying due to perceived corruption and misgovernance. Third, social justice concerns—liberty, equality, and fair treatment—resonate powerfully with Gen Z’s sense of fairness and rights. Fourth, digital literacy and smartphones power rapid mobilization and cross-border solidarity, enabling transnational streams of information, tactic sharing, and global awareness of local grievances.
Digital Activism as a New Norm
Gen Z’s protests are intrinsically digital. Social media platforms, private messaging apps, and short-form video tools turn grievances into shareable narratives, attract international attention, and coordinate offline action with precision. This generation doesn’t rely on grand speeches; it uses memes, posters, and viral clips to articulate demands for transparency, accountability, and economic opportunity. The result is a political culture where online and offline activism reinforce one another and where youth leadership isn’t tethered to a single party or figure.
Implications for Governance and the Future
These movements signal a broader shift in how young people engage with power. If governments respond with meaningful reforms and credible anti-corruption measures, Gen Z can become a catalyst for long-overdue changes. If not, the protests may persist, shaping electoral dynamics and policy debates for years to come. What remains clear: the generation growing up with constant connectivity is redefining political participation, demanding dignity, and insisting that their voices—not just those of seasoned leaders—be heard in the governance of their countries.
