In recent years, global civil unrest and protests have made significant impacts, with 2011 marked by events like Occupy Wall Street and the Arab Spring, followed by 2019 being dubbed “the year of the protest.” Now, experts are eyeing 2025 as a potential contender for this title, as a wave of youth-led protests, known as Gen-Z protests, gain momentum worldwide.
Shana MacDonald, a communication expert at the University of Waterloo, sees this as a new era of protest culture with global implications. Countries like Nepal, Morocco, and Madagascar have witnessed youth-led demonstrations driven by frustration over issues such as government corruption and inadequate public services.
Morocco’s youth are advocating for social justice reforms amid preparations for hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup, while in Madagascar, protestors are decrying the failure of essential services like electricity and water supply. In Nepal, protests erupted over allegations of long-standing corruption and nepotism, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli.
Similar protests have emerged in countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, Serbia, Kenya, Paraguay, and Peru, all fueled by grievances related to poor governance and inequality. Michelle Chen from Brock University highlights that Gen Z faces challenges like political instability and widening wealth gaps, making protest a crucial tool for voicing their concerns.
The use of digital platforms like social media has played a pivotal role in organizing and amplifying these protests, uniting disparate voices and experiences. This trend is not entirely new, as younger generations have historically led significant movements, but the digital age has accelerated the mobilization process.
Looking ahead, experts anticipate that the Gen Z protests seen in 2025 are just the beginning of a broader global movement challenging authority and demanding change. The power of social media to connect individuals and inspire collective action continues to shape the landscape of modern protests.
