"Gen Z is leading an uprising. Across continents, the world's young people are no longer just online activists—they are mobilising in the streets, demanding action on corruption, jobs, inequality, and dignity."
GlobeScan's October 2025 global study and the Gen Z Perception Index reveal the scale and resolve of a generation pushing for systemic change.
Gen Z Uprising: Demanding a Better World
In 2025, protests led by Gen Z have erupted from Madagascar to Morocco, from Peru to Nepal. Unlike previous youth movements, this revolt is global, digitally fueled, and data-backed.
GlobeScan's Perception Index survey of nearly 32,000 people across 33 countries finds Gen Z are more outraged than older generations about corruption, rights abuses, and unemployment.
Also, they are deeply committed to turning that anger into social change. Their message is clear: no more patience for governments that ignore the basics, such as jobs, dignity, and justice. They have become non-negotiable.
Gen Z's Global Movement – From Hashtags to the Streets
Across continents, Gen Z is mobilising for change. Digital campaigns, once dismissed as "slacktivism", are now translating into real protests that topple governments (Nepal), force ministerial resignations (Indonesia), or push fiscal reforms (Kenya, Peru).
Panel experts and surveyors agree: this generation's unique digital nativity means they rapidly organise around shared grievances and global solidarity.
What Gen Z Cares About – Corruption, Inequality, and Jobs
GlobeScan's 2025 global survey and the Gen Z Perception Index show the issues most urgent to young people:
| Issue | Gen Z (%) | Millennials (%) | Gen X (%) | Boomers (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corruption | 64 | 62 | 58 | 54 |
| Human Rights Abuses | 64 | 55 | 54 | 33 |
| Unemployment | 63 | 60 | 53 | 34 |
| Unfair Treatment of Workers | 54 | 50 | 45 | 34 |
Gen Z rates each issue as more "very serious" than any other age group. Their alarm is grounded in lived realities: rising youth unemployment, inequalities exposed by social media, and failing public services.
From Anger to Agenda – A Generational Playbook for Reform
Gen Z's activism is local and global. From the Moroccan chant: "Stadiums are here, but where are hospitals?" to Nepal's social media-coordinated marches, this generation insists on transparency, inclusion, and a voice in decision-making.
The tactics include:
- Leaderless, decentralised movements
- Digital platforms (TikTok, Instagram, Discord) for organising
- Transnational solidarity, learning from protests elsewhere
- Clear, data-driven calls for justice and reforms
| Tool/Strategy | Impact Outcome |
|---|---|
| Digital organizing | Fast response, amplified reach |
| Transnational learning | Replication of protest tactics |
| Culture symbolism | Unifies cause, fuels resilience |
Building a World Gen Z Will Inherit – What Leaders Must Do
Panellists and data analysts urge governments and businesses to recognise that these youth movements are not just a "phase," but a structural shift. Recommendations include:
- Invest in quality education and job creation
- Tackle corruption and governance failures
- Support fair labour and living wages
- Involve Gen Z in policy formation
| Call to Action | Required Stakeholder | Intended Result |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency | Governments | Rebuild public trust/transparency |
| Social dialogue | All sectors | Sustainable policy reform |
| Youth inclusion | Private/public sector | Modern, fairer societies |
Gen Z's Global Justice Agenda
| Priority | Example Demand | Change Sought |
|---|---|---|
| Jobs/Economy | Job creation | Reduced the youth "Not in Education, Employment, or Training" (NEET) rate |
| Anti-Corruption | End nepotism | Fairer institutions |
| Social Inclusion | Equity in services | Cohesion, trust |
Path Forward – A Warning and an Opportunity
Gen Z's rising activism signals both urgent risk and real possibility for governments and societies. Their top demands include fair jobs, equal rights, and genuine fairness, reflecting a new majority living in the realities of a digital world and growing demographic power.
To bridge generational divides, leaders must listen and act before frustration becomes enduring unrest. Responsive policies and authentic engagement will shape communities where innovation and inclusion thrive, instead of simmering discontent.
