According to the latest report from the IPU, only 2.8% of Members of Parliament worldwide are aged 30 or under, unchanged since 2023. Even more concerning, over a third of parliamentary chambers worldwide have no MPs under 30.
When half of the world’s population is under 30, this gap highlights the flagrant the democratic deficit in representation.
The challenge is even more pronounced for young women. The proportion of female MPs aged 30 or under has declined to 1.2%, down from 1.4% in 2023. Meanwhile, the share of women MPs aged 40 or under has also dropped, highlighting persistent barriers to political participation.
These findings come as young people around the world are increasingly mobilizing - calling for stronger action on economic opportunity, accountability, and the future they will inherit.
How do we create more pathways for young people to lead and shape the future?
