Youth Disengagement from Voting: A Reflection on Reasons for Low Voter Turnout In many democratic countries, there is a growing concern over the low voter turnout among young people, particularly thos
Faglig kvalitetssikret av lærere og toppstudenter · Følger læreplanen (LK20) · Sist oppdatert 2026-09-05
Read the excerpts from the article 'Why Are Youth Dissatisfied with Democracy?' by Gerardo Berthin below.
Write a text in which you reflect on some of the reasons why not all young people vote in elections in an English-speaking country of your choice. Use examples from the material below in your answer. You may add other material you find relevant.
According to Freedom House and other analysis and metrics, democratic backsliding* has become a global trend. Amid this environment comes a rash of statistics suggesting that the world’s young people are increasingly disengaged from political life: they’re voting less, rejecting party membership, and telling researchers that their country’s leaders aren’t working in their interests.
But at the same time, young people remain engaged in civic life. They attend demonstrations, use the internet to make their voices heard, and are active outside the traditional political sphere, like in business, at school, and in religious communities.
According to the World Values Survey (WVS), the world’s average youth (defined as between ages 18 and 29) participation in national elections is 47.7 percent. The figures vary by country and region, with Latin American youth voting at relatively high rates—often reaching above 65 percent turnout—while youth in Europe and Africa voting tend to post turnout rates of between 40 and 50 percent. Voter turnout in the United States among 18-to-24-year-olds for the 2020 presidential election was 48 percent, the lowest compared to all other age groups. Low youth electoral participation reflects apathy, mistrust, and dissatisfaction with democratic processes, and feeds into the democratic backsliding narrative.
Researchers also found signs of “transition fatigue” among youth. [This means that] they are less engaged with democracy compared to generations before them that challenged authoritarian systems, and won greater political and civil freedoms as a result.
*'Democratic backsliding' is recognised internationally as the process by which states become gradually less democratic over time.
Excerpt, adapted for this exam by Udir.
References:
Text A: Berthin, G. (2023, 14 September). Why Are Youth Dissatisfied with Democracy? Freedom House. https://freedomhouse.org/article/why-are-youth-dissatisfied-democracy
Definition of 'democratic backsliding': James, L., Renwick, A., & Russell M. (2022). What is democratic backsliding, and is the UK at risk? The Constitution Unit. https://www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/sites/constitution_unit/files/backsliding_-_final_1.pdf
Youth Disengagement from Voting: A Reflection on Reasons for Low Voter Turnout
In many democratic countries, there is a growing concern over the low voter turnout among young people, particularly those aged 18 to 29. In the United States, for example, voter turnout among 18-to-24-year-olds for the 2020 presidential election was 48%, the lowest compared to all other age groups. This trend is not unique to the U.S. but is reflected across Europe, Africa, and even in regions like Latin America, where youth participation in national elections is also increasingly low. According to Gerardo Berthin’s article, “Why Are Youth Dissatisfied with Democracy?”, this disengagement is driven by several factors, including apathy, mistrust of political leaders, and what is described as “transition fatigue.” These factors contribute to the broader issue of democratic backsliding, where democratic processes are eroding, and young people feel disconnected from traditional political structures.
Apathy and Disillusionment
One of the key reasons why young people are not voting in elections is apathy, or a sense of disillusionment with the political system. As Berthin notes, many young people believe that their country’s leaders are not working in their best interests. This feeling of being ignored or unheard by those in power leads to a lack of motivation to participate in elections. When young people see little change after elections, they may feel that their vote does not matter and that the political process does not serve their needs or reflect their values. For example, if politicians fail to address issues such as climate change, unemployment, or social justice — issues that are particularly important to younger generations — young people may disengage, believing that voting will not lead to real change.
Mistrust in the Political System
Another significant reason for low voter turnout is the growing mistrust in the political system and its institutions. This mistrust is particularly evident in the context of democratic backsliding, where democratic norms are weakening, and the effectiveness of democratic institutions is increasingly questioned. Many young people view the political system as corrupt, inefficient, or out of touch with the reality of their lives. This skepticism is reflected in the increasing rejection of traditional party membership and political affiliation. For example, research shows that many young people today are less likely to align with a specific political party, preferring instead to engage in alternative forms of political expression, such as demonstrations or online activism. This shift away from traditional forms of political participation may lead to a lower inclination to vote, as voting is often seen as a part of a larger, disconnected political machine.
Transition Fatigue
The concept of “transition fatigue” is another important factor influencing youth disengagement. This term describes a sense of weariness among young people who have witnessed significant political changes, such as the fall of authoritarian regimes or the expansion of civil liberties, but who are now disillusioned by the slow pace of progress in achieving meaningful change. For these young people, the fight for greater freedoms and rights may seem to have reached a plateau, and they may feel that continuing to engage with the political system is futile. In countries where young people have grown up in more politically stable environments, the urgency for political change may be less apparent, leading to a sense of apathy or detachment from the political process.
Alternative Forms of Civic Engagement
Despite their disillusionment with traditional politics, young people remain engaged in civic life through other means. Berthin notes that young people are active in non-traditional forms of political engagement, such as attending demonstrations, using the internet to make their voices heard, and participating in activism outside of party politics. This shift reflects the changing nature of political engagement, where young people are more inclined to focus on specific issues or causes rather than the broader political system. In the digital age, social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter provide young people with tools to mobilize, organize, and advocate for change, allowing them to participate in political discourse without relying on traditional political structures.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the reasons why many young people do not vote in elections are complex and multifaceted. Factors such as apathy, mistrust in political institutions, and transition fatigue contribute to the growing disengagement from traditional democratic processes. However, while young people may be voting less, they are not disengaged from civic life altogether. Instead, they are finding new ways to participate in politics, often outside of the established systems. As such, addressing youth disengagement in democracy requires not only encouraging greater voter turnout but also recognizing and fostering the alternative forms of political participation that young people are increasingly embracing.