Youth Report Shows: Teenagers Want More Political Participation

More than 18,500 young people aged 14 to 22 participated in the participatory study between February 2023 and May 2025. Qualitative data was collected in around 25 workshops and focus groups at schools in all federal states. A total of 17,883 young people participated in the quantitative online questionnaire.

Four out of five young people feel politically unheard

The aim of the report is to counter the widespread narrative that young people are not interested in politics. In fact, according to the study, 97 percent of young people would be more engaged in the future if their participation had a noticeable impact. Especially in areas such as school and education, politics and society, as well as environment and climate, young people desire more co-determination. However, 78 percent of respondents feel that their voice is not heard in political decisions.

School for democracy education demanded

According to the report, young people see schools as particularly responsible and wish for more current topics in lessons and democracy education. Yet, 56 percent stated that they do not learn how to make their voices heard there.

92 percent wish for more education on how democracy can be lived in everyday life. There is particular interest in forming opinions, recognizing manipulation and propaganda, and engaging in respectful discourse.

Distrust towards politics as a challenge

The greatest societal challenges mentioned by young people include distrust towards politics, social division and extremism, as well as dangers posed by social media, such as hate speech and misinformation.

In the debate about a social media ban for those under 14, they were not involved, criticized youth ambassador Sophia Stenico: "It would have been necessary to ask the youth. One could simply send an email on such topics and the young people could vote."

(APA/Red.)

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