Generation Z, the demographic group born between the late 1990s and early 2010s, finds itself at a crossroads, facing an accelerated transformation of urban, social, and economic environments. At the heart of this crisis lies a social divide, amplified by rampant urbanization, exclusion, and marginalization, which profoundly alters the reality of these young people. While their engagement and rebellion have often been perceived as positive, their living conditions in urban neighborhoods, especially in rapidly growing metropolises, highlight stark inequalities and systematic exclusion, making them both agents and victims of an urban transformation process that often works against them. Social media, often cited as a vehicle for collective consciousness, also reveals a darker reality: that of a highly vulnerable generation, confronted with a society where the urban divide continues to widen. These young people, particularly those from marginalized areas, must contend with an often hostile environment where poverty, lack of opportunity, and precariousness translate into forms of marginalization that are difficult to combat without profound social reform. The main criticism raised by their mobilizations concerns their lack of effective representation in the decisions that shape their lives, illustrating their position both as victims of these changes and as actors in ever-renewed demands.
The mechanisms of rapid urbanization and their impact on youth.
The process of urbanization, along with exponential population growth in certain urban centers, has dramatically altered the social and economic landscape of working-class neighborhoods. This rapid, often unplanned expansion exacerbates the marginalization of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, who find themselves immersed in an environment of poverty, deteriorating living conditions, and a glaring lack of adequate infrastructure. The rise in social inequality in cities has detrimental effects on social cohesion and further weakens this vulnerable youth.
Social inequalities and exclusion: the double burden of urban youth
Young people from disadvantaged or marginalized backgrounds face a reality where access to education, healthcare, and decent employment is often skewed. This double marginalization, linked to their belonging to a disadvantaged social group and their residence in dilapidated urban neighborhoods, further exacerbates their sense of alienation from society. Social inequalities are reflected in alarming indicators: high unemployment rates, limited prospects for advancement, and low social recognition. The frustration fueled by these factors can give rise to forms of revolt or community engagement, often underestimated in the broader context of social movements.
This phenomenon is reinforced by the systematic stigmatization they face, amplified by certain political or media discourses that portray them as “victims” of a system that needs changing, without truly empowering them to take concrete action. Through this exclusion, these young people often fall prey to a vicious cycle where marginalization becomes almost structural, fueling a deep sense of injustice that becomes difficult to overcome without structural reform, including the genuine participation of the populations concerned.
Youth demands vis-à-vis society and the State
Around the world, young people are expressing deep concern about the erosion of social cohesion and are seeking to make their voices heard. Traditionally, their demands revolved around access to education, employment, and decent housing. Today, they are expanding to include a desire for active participation in decision-making processes, notably through the creation of institutions such as a Youth Parliament, whose objective would be to represent this generation in the fight for a more equitable society.
Other forms of youth engagement in cities: from protest to concrete action
Among urban youth, there is a growing movement toward more active engagement, made even more visible by social media, which allows them to unite, organize, and speak out. This translates into demonstrations, strikes, and symbolic actions against injustice, repression, and police violence. However, this mobilization often seems limited by internal issues related to the diversity of demands, which undermines the overall coherence of the movement.
Discover the characteristics, trends, and impact of Generation Z, a connected and innovative generation shaping the world of tomorrow.
The need for genuine political dialogue with urban youth
| Faced with these challenges, it is imperative that political institutions facilitate a sincere and constructive dialogue with Generation Z. Without this, their demands for participation risk going unheeded, fueling a feeling of abandonment in the face of a system disconnected from their concerns. Establishing a dedicated forum or space for dialogue would help structure their demands and guarantee their involvement in crisis management and the development of public policies. Such an approach must go beyond mere passive listening to establish a genuine co-creation of solutions, incorporating their concrete proposals, such as the creation of a Ministry dedicated to youth or the implementation of inclusive policies that take their realities into account. Society must commit to creating a space where young people, often perceived as victims, become agents of their own future, avoiding the marginalization that could fuel radicalization or extreme forms of protest. | Discover everything about Generation Z: its characteristics, values, habits, and impact on modern society. | Future challenges: a generation in search of recognition and power | By 2026, the main challenge lies in Generation Z’s ability to move beyond its victim status and become a structuring force in society. Recognition by political, economic, and social elites, as well as access to concrete levers of power, will be crucial. Urban youth, often perceived as a tumultuous force, could transform into an essential entity capable of shaping an alternative discourse and, above all, proposing sustainable solutions to the urban and social problems that fuel conflict. |
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| The next step will therefore be to embody this transition by integrating their demands into institutions and offering them truly participatory spaces for expression and action. Society will also have to consider how best to preserve their vitality in a global context where economic competition and accelerated migration risk further blurring their identity and their role in society. Their future will depend on their ability to unite, defend their interests, and build a more equitable society, where they are no longer mere victims, but engaged and responsible citizens. | Table: The main components of urban youth and their demands | Component 📌 | |
| Main demand ✊ | Concrete example 📝 | Institutional response 🔑 | Students and young professionals |
| Access to decent education and employment | Mobilizations against unemployment in several major cities | Education system reform projects integrating youth participation | Young people from marginalized neighborhoods |
| Better social inclusion and access to housing | Rallies for the regularization of squats and urban renewal | Implementation of inclusive policies and pilot neighborhoods | Activists and protesters |
Political and institutional recognition
Creation of dialogue forums for young people in several countries
Institutions dedicated to listening and citizen participation
Young people in the diaspora
Representation in national governance
Online mobilization to make their voices heard in governance
Establishment of specific consultation spaces for the diaspora
How can urban youth overcome the feeling of victimization?
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