Youth at a Political Crossroads: Shifting Voter Trends in Austria, Germany and the US
Youth at a Political Crossroads: Shifting Voter Trends in Austria, Germany and the US
Policy Brief March 2025
Published by Annika Scharnagl, in cooperation with the University for Continuing Education Krems – UWK
In 2024, elections across Austria, Germany, and the United States revealed a striking shift in the political inclinations of Generation Z (Gen Z). Younger voters are increasingly polarized, with significant support emerging for far-right parties in Europe, and near-even splits between Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. This policy brief explores the drivers behind this phenomenon, including dissatisfaction with traditional political structures, socio-economic challenges, targeted social media campaigns and mental health problems.
Key findings include:
- Shift to the Right: In Germany and Austria, parties like the AfD and FPÖ garnered unprecedented youth support, while in the U.S., Gen Z voters displayed a nearly even split between Democrats and Republicans.
- Social Media Influence: Platforms such as TikTok and podcasts have become powerful tools for political mobilization, with right-wing and anti-establishment parties using these mediums effectively to engage young voters.
- Mental Health and Loneliness: Loneliness and mental health challenges exacerbated by crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic appear to contribute to youth susceptibility to authoritarian ideologies and misinformation.
To read more, download the Policy Brief HERE.