Young and restless
PAKISTAN’S population is among the youngest in the world. It will also stay a young country for at least the next two decades. But who are the young? What do they think? What are their aspirations about their future and the country? How politically engaged are they? Can they be a transformative force?
First, some statistics to set the context. The 2023 census put Pakistan’s population at 241.5 million people (an estimated 256m today). Of this 67 per cent or 160m are below the age of 30. The youth bulge is reflected in the fact that 26pc or 63m people are between ages 15-29. This represents the largest youth population in the country’s history. Generation Z number around 71m or 29.5pc of the population. This cohort (ranging from 14 to 29 years old) is roughly those born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s.
The socioeconomic profile of youth shows around 27pc are still illiterate. This is the consequence of the fact that about 26m school-age children still have no access to school. It means millions grow up without any education, which constrains their employment chances and leaves them economically disadvantaged. The World Bank estimates 37pc of those aged 15 to 24 are not in employment, education, or training.
Although more research is needed into what young people think and want, studies and surveys undertaken in the past offer insights into their attitude, concerns and aspirations. The most comprehensive was UNDP’s Pakistan National Human Development report of 2017, Unleashing the Potential of a Young Pakistan, whose findings remain relevant. Other studies include the British Council’s Next Generation report of 2023, and the prolific writings of Adil Najam, who co-authored the UNDP report with Faisal Bari and contributed a chapter on youth to the book I edited two years ago, Pakistan: the Search for Stability.
The young feel ignored and excluded even though it is they who will determine Pakistan’s future.
If we consider some of the research and survey findings and supplement those with anecdotal evidence, some key themes emerge. It is important to keep in mind that given Pakistan’s ethnic, cultural, income, religious and educational diversity, and rural-urban divide, we should avoid painting a picture of homogeneity as youth attitudes vary across these cleavages, especially as young people have different notions of their identity. Nevertheless, some common themes can be identified in their outlook.
A significant expectation recorded in all research is that they should be given attention and listened to, which they find is not the case. The young have high hopes of the future but also apprehensions as they see the environment — and opportunities — around them as unequal and unpredictable. As Adil puts it “to be young in Pakistan is to be highly agitated and very often very angry”. The Next Generation report, however, finds they remain optimistic that things will improve and despite pressures, prefer to remain in the country rather than go abroad. They have a strong sense of national affiliation and pride. Their high aspirations are both a motivation and source of frustration when confronted with obstacles. This makes them a restless generation that wants greater space to realise their goals and ambitions.
The country’s overall political and economic environment obviously affects their lives and shapes their experiences and outlook. Young people are most concerned about their economic future, especially at a time when economic conditions are challenging, competition is intense, job opportunities limited and economic growth anaemic. A Gallup Pakistan survey in 2023, using data from the Labour Force Survey of 2020-2021, found that of the youth population 21.8m were neither enrolled in school or training institute, nor in any employment. This is unsurprising because with 3.5m being added annually to the labour force, around 3m jobs need to be generated every year. This isn’t happening due to stagnant economic growth and investment, creating generational discontent — a potential driver of future volatility and unrest.
Technology has a defining and empowering role in youth lives. They have grown up with the internet and digital technology makes them a more ‘connected’ and informed generation. Online platforms offer unprecedented opportunities to voice their views as also their frustration. The Next Generation report finds digital opportunities are also being leveraged for self-empowerment and e-commerce. Social media activism is a key characteristic of Gen Z, amplifying their views. Three in five Pakistani youth use the internet according to the Next Generation survey and practically all internet users are on social media. Nearly half of young people regularly post political views on social media.
Turning to their political attitudes and political engagement, there is a high degree of mistrust of the political system and conventional politics. But the young also want a voice in the political process and policymaking. They feel their concerns are ignored by political leaders and are sceptical about the ability of traditional politicians to represent them. Consequently, their low political engagement, confirmed by surveys, reflects disillusionment, not lack of interest. They see traditional political parties to be out of touch with youth. There is no question, however, that Imran Khan and PTI reached out to the youth to inspire and mobilise them. But this process was halted by state policies of repression. How far this discourages what emerged as higher youth participation in politics remains to be seen.
As a voting bloc young people’s potential to influence elections is significant as they constitute 46pc of the electorate. But their historically low political engagement is reflected in their low voter turnout. A 2021 Gallup Pakistan report, relying on exit polls conducted in successive elections since 1988, found usually only a quarter of young voters cast the ballot. In recent elections, their participation was a third compared to the average overall turnout of 52pc. But in the 2024 election, more young voters cast the ballot than previously, suggesting the trend moving towards higher youth participation. If mobilised by any party, young voters can be a potential game changer in shaping the electoral outcome.
It is the young who will determine Pakistan’s future. Their needs and aspirations are ignored only at great peril to the country’s stability. After all, youth discontent has produced social instability and political change across our region.
The writer is a former ambassador to the US, UK and UN.
Published in Dawn, March 2nd, 2026