The 2024 elections were a global democratic milestone, with nearly half the world voting to shape their leadership for the next few years. Billions, including millions of young people, voted to address issues like healthcare, education, unemployment, climate change, and systemic inequality. Yet, youth voter turnout faced challenges globally, with declines in some regions. Let’s explore how young people engaged in these elections, what motivated them, and their critical role in shaping the global democratic landscape.

South Africa:
In 2024, South Africa commemorated 30 years of democracy with Freedom Day on April 27, marking the nation’s first free elections in 1994. This milestone coincided with the country’s seventh general election on May 29, held amid rising poverty, a struggling education system, a youth unemployment rate of 45.5%, and frequent power and water outages exacerbating inequality.

Despite 63% of South Africans being under the age of 35, youth voter engagement remained critically low. Of the 39.7 million voting-age population, only 27.7 million were registered voters, leaving  11 million unregistered — a sharp increase from 9 million in 2019. Voter turnout fell to 58.6%, down from 66.1% in 2019 and 73.5% in 2014, with many young people citing disillusionment with traditional politics and frustration over unmet socio-economic needs as reasons for their disengagement. 

While the turnout was low, some youth-led initiatives, such as digital campaigns and grassroots movements, worked to promote voter participation and systemic change​.

These elections marked a political shift with the formation of a Government of National Unity (GNU), uniting the African National Congress (ANC), the Democratic Alliance (DA), and other parties. For many young voters, this collaboration offers hope for addressing pressing issues like unemployment and education while navigating the complexities of power-sharing.

Botswana
In Botswana’s 2024 general elections, youth — who make up over 60% of the population — demonstrated strong engagement. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) successfully registered over one million voters, with strong youth participation. However, overall voter turnout declined slightly to 79% compared to 84% in 2019, though it still reflected solid engagement.

Youth priorities included unemployment, education, and affordable housing, with both the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) and opposition parties focusing on job creation and skills development.

Economic challenges in Botswana’s diamond-driven economy and rising unemployment at 28% significantly influenced voter sentiment. This contributed to a historic political shift: the BDP lost power after nearly six decades, and the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) emerged victorious, signaling a demand for new leadership and fresh solutions. This election highlighted the growing influence of Botswana’s youth in shaping the country’s political future. 

Rwanda
In the 2024 Rwandan elections, youth played a central role, reflecting the country’s predominantly young population — 65.3% are under 30, with 42% of the total 9 million registered voters aged 16-30. The overall voter turnout was an impressive  98.2%, maintaining Rwanda’s historically high participation rates.

Key issues for young Rwandans included unemployment, access to education and vocational training, healthcare, political representation, and environmental sustainability. Youth unemployment remains a pressing challenge, standing at 18.8%, compared to 12.6% for adults. Gender disparities persist, with women facing higher unemployment rates of 18.5% compared to 12.5% for men. Rwanda launched the $200 million World Bank-funded Priority Skills for Growth and Youth Empowerment Program (PSGYE) to tackle youth unemployment. This initiative aims to improve youth employability by equipping over 200,000 young people with skills to enter the workforce, fostering long-term growth and opportunity.

As the elections concluded, President Paul Kagame secured another landslide victory with over 99% of the vote, reaffirming Rwanda’s continuity and stability. For young Rwandans, these elections represented an opportunity to participate in shaping their nation’s future while highlighting the critical importance of addressing issues that impact their lives and futures.

India
India’s youth, aged 18–35, are approximately 65% of the population, making them a powerful force in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Voter registration increased through initiatives like the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) “Turning 18” and “You Are the One” campaigns, aimed at engaging first-time voters and addressing urban apathy.

Youth voter turnout varied regionally, with Banswara reaching 77.9% and Barmer increasing by  8.2%. However, some areas like Rajasthan saw a decline in youth participation, highlighting challenges in maintaining voter engagement. Nationwide, the overall voter turnout stood at 65.8%, a slight decrease from 67.4% in 2019, underscoring the need for continued youth mobilization.

Unemployment was the top concern for India’s youth, with many expressing disillusionment over the lack of progress in job creation and economic stability. Youth accounted for 82.9% of India’s unemployed population in 2022, a statistic that significantly shaped their electoral choices as they sought policies fostering job opportunities and economic growth. Other pressing issues included access to quality education, healthcare, and systemic corruption, with young voters demanding public service reforms, governance transparency, and better entrepreneurial opportunities.

In India, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) retained power but saw its majority shrink, securing 240 seats compared to 303 in 2019. Meanwhile, the opposition, the Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) gained ground by prioritizing economic challenges and governance reforms, signaling growing demands for accountability from the nation’s youth.

United Kingdom
Youth voter turnout in the UK’s  2024 election was just over 40%, slightly higher than the 39% recorded in 2019. However, the overall national turnout fell to 60%, the lowest since 2001, reflecting a broader decline in participation across many demographics, including young voters. 

Key concerns for young voters included economic insecurity,  rising housing costs, student debt, and climate change. The introduction of voter ID requirements raised concerns that it may have discouraged participation among younger and marginalized voters, potentially deterring up to 400,000 people from voting.

Despite these challenges, youth-led organizations were pivotal in mobilizing young voters through campaigns like “Give an X” and events such as Youth Power: Election Hour. These efforts helped raise awareness on issues like environmental reforms and economic equity.

Politically, younger voters increasingly supported progressive parties. The Labour Party remained the top choice, while the Green Party experienced notable growth, capturing 18% of the under-24 vote in 2024, a 14 percentage-point increase from the previous election. The Liberal Democrats also gained traction, securing 16% of the youth vote, whereas the Conservative Party attracted 9% of young voters. This shift highlights the growing influence of youth shaping the UK’s political landscape. 

United States
The 2024 US presidential election saw 42% of voters aged 18–29 turn out, a notable decline from the historic 52%-55% turnout in 2020. Despite the decline, youth participation averaged 50% in key areas such as Georgia, Michigan, and Wisconsin, showcasing young voters’ pivotal role in shaping electoral outcomes, particularly in contested regions.

Youth voters prioritized diverse issues, with 40% citing the economy and jobs as their top concern. Among these voters, former President Donald Trump led  Vice President Kamala Harris by 22 points, reflecting the appeal of his economic messaging.  

Conversely, Harris dominated among youth focused on reproductive rights, climate change, and racial justice, particularly young women and voters of color.

Demographic divides shaped voter preferences:  Young women supported Harris by an 18-point margin, while young men favored Trump by 14 points — a marked shift from 2020 when young men leaned Democratic. Similarly, 54% of white youth backed Trump, compared to 44% for Harris, while strong majorities of Black (75%), Asian (72%), and Latino (58%) youth supported Harris, though by narrower margins than in previous elections.

Both campaigns innovated to engage young voters. Harris’ campaign emphasized reproductive rights and leveraged viral memes and social media to connect with younger voters. At the same time, Trump capitalized on his TikTok presence, amassing 14 million followers, and engaged young men through popular podcasts like Joe Rogan Experience. Conservative groups like Turning Point USA supplemented his outreach with targeted grassroots organizing.

Harris won the youth vote nationally with 52% compared to Trump’s 46%, a much narrower margin than  Biden’s 25-point lead in 2020. These results highlight the need to address pressing economic concerns, foster targeted outreach, and bridge demographic and generational divides to ensure sustained youth participation and engagement in the democratic process.

Democracy Thrives When Youth Lead the Way
The 2024 elections underscored a global challenge: declining youth voter registration and turnout. While many young people advocated and mobilized, too many remained disengaged, risking their influence on policies shaping their future and weakening democracy.

To address this, governments and communities must remove barriers like poverty, voter ID restrictions, and inaccessible polling. At the same time, youth must embrace the power of their participation. Voting is not just a right—it’s a tool for change. Beyond the ballot, young people can shape democracy by holding leaders accountable, advocating reforms, and driving civic initiatives.

Democracy thrives when youth lead. By voting, staying informed, and engaging actively, they ensure their voices shape a more equitable, sustainable, and democratic world.