Across the globe, a new wave of youth-led protests is shaking political establishments, toppling governments, and sending shockwaves through societies from Morocco to Madagascar, Nepal to Indonesia. The world is witnessing a surge in Gen Z activism, as young people—frustrated with corruption, economic stagnation, and glaring inequalities—take to the streets in unprecedented numbers. These protests, often leaderless but highly organized through social media, are not confined to one region or political system. Instead, they span continents and cultures, united by a common thread: the anger of a generation left behind.
In Morocco, the contrast between the gleaming capital of Rabat and its struggling suburbs has never been starker. On October 4, 2025, the densely populated neighborhood of Al-Amal in the commuter town of Sale erupted in unrest. Young protesters smashed police cars, vandalized banks, and set properties ablaze, venting their fury at a system they see as rigged against them. Authorities responded with a heavy hand, detaining more than 1,000 people and leaving three dead, marking the most serious wave of unrest since the Arab Spring, according to Bloomberg.
The roots of Morocco’s turmoil run deep. While the country invests billions in high-profile projects—like hosting the 2030 World Cup and building Africa’s largest ice hockey rink—youth unemployment has soared to a staggering 60%. The ruling class enjoys a life of luxury, but for many young Moroccans, the future feels bleak. "I know I will never be able to own a home, not with what I earn today—I am always in the red," said Houssam, a 29-year-old driver in Rabat, as reported by Bloomberg. "We are just window-shopping in this country." His words echo the frustration of countless others who feel left out of the country’s economic progress.
This sense of exclusion is not unique to Morocco. Over the past year, Gen Z protests have erupted across Africa and Asia, fueled by similar grievances. According to an NBC News report aired on October 3, 2025, young people are mobilizing against corruption, joblessness, income disparities, and aging political elites. The protests have swept through countries as diverse as Madagascar, Indonesia, Kenya, Mongolia, Nepal, and Bangladesh, each with its own flashpoint but all sharing a common sense of injustice.
In Madagascar, the situation turned deadly. Protests continued on October 3, 2025, with police killing at least 22 people, according to Bloomberg. The unrest was so severe that President Andry Rajoelina sacked his entire government in an attempt to quell the anger. Yet, the demonstrations persisted, highlighting the limits of traditional responses to such widespread discontent.
Nepal, too, witnessed its biggest political crisis in years last month. Young demonstrators set government buildings ablaze to protest endemic corruption and a lack of job opportunities. The immediate trigger was a government ban on social media, but even after the ban was lifted, the protests only grew. Much of the anger was directed at the so-called "nepo kids"—the privileged offspring of Nepal’s elite who flaunt their wealth on social media. The turmoil forced the resignation of the prime minister and several top officials, and left more than 70 dead and hundreds injured, as detailed by Bloomberg.
Indonesia’s unrest followed a similar pattern. Just days before the Nepal protests, Indonesian youth took to the streets, initially in response to a $3,000 housing handout for lawmakers. The demonstrations quickly expanded into a broader movement against corruption and impunity among the ruling class. As NBC News reported, the protests in Indonesia were part of a broader trend of social media-driven mobilization, where young people use digital platforms to organize and amplify their demands.
Kenya and Bangladesh have also seen dramatic changes brought about by Gen Z activism. In Kenya, youth protests in 2024 forced President William Ruto to fire his cabinet and withdraw a controversial tax bill, according to both Bloomberg and NBC News. The protesters targeted what they saw as the president’s failure to tackle rampant corruption. In Bangladesh, sustained youth demonstrations in 2024 culminated in the ouster of longtime leader Sheikh Hasina, a stunning example of the power of organized, persistent protest.
What ties these disparate movements together? Experts point to a convergence of factors: rising costs of living, weak job creation, and political systems dominated by aging elites with little room for renewal. Bilal Bassiouni, head of risk forecasting at Pangea-Risk, told Bloomberg, "What is distinct about the current wave of youth mobilization is the convergence of conditions across very different political environments. Young people are confronting rising costs of living and weak job creation at the same time as political authority is concentrated in aging elites with little space for renewal."
Social media has played a crucial role, allowing young activists to coordinate protests, share grievances, and expose the excesses of the elite. Flagrant displays of wealth—such as presidents wearing luxury watches worth years of an ordinary salary or the children of ministers posting glamorous shots from Ibiza—have only fueled the anger. These digital platforms have become both a tool for mobilization and a channel for venting frustration, making it harder for governments to ignore or suppress dissent.
Governments have tried a range of responses, from crackdowns to cabinet reshuffles, but with limited success. Michael Kugelman, a non-resident fellow at the Asia Pacific Foundation, told Bloomberg, "Governments have sought to manage this public anger in the past by ignoring, appeasing, or repressing. But that approach is no longer working." The persistence and scale of the protests suggest that deeper changes may be necessary to address the underlying grievances.
Economic stagnation is a recurring theme. In Morocco, for example, the economy has grown below 4% on average since 2011—hardly enough to make a dent in the high rates of youth unemployment, according to Bloomberg. Despite becoming a key industrial hub for Europe, particularly as a producer of cars, the benefits have not trickled down to the younger generation. Similar stories can be found in other countries, where economic growth has failed to translate into real opportunities for youth.
Visible inequality and lack of upward mobility have made patience wear thin. Whether it’s the opulent lifestyles of the elite or the lack of affordable housing and decent jobs, young people are increasingly unwilling to accept the status quo. The result is a new era of activism that is likely to shape politics and society for years to come.
The world is watching as Gen Z steps into the political arena—not with deference, but with demands for change. The message from Rabat to Kathmandu is clear: this generation is no longer content to wait its turn.
