New Delhi/ Geneva: Rising inequality, financial stress and climate change are emerging as the dominant anxieties of young people worldwide, even as a surprising share of them say they are ready to enter politics rather than remain mere critics.
These insights come from the World Economic Forum’s new report, “Youth Pulse 2026: Insights from the Next Generation for a Changing World 2026. ”
According to the report, 48.2 per cent of respondents identified the widening gap between rich and poor as the single most consequential economic trend shaping the future. In regions like sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, however, entrepreneurship is considered the most powerful economic force, reflecting growing faith in innovation and self-reliance.
Money worries are a major source of mental strain: over 57 per cent of young people said financial concerns are their primary cause of stress. The survey captured the views of around 4,600 youth aged 18–30 from 144 countries and territories and found their priorities to be strongly practical and policy-focused.
Top solutions flagged by respondents include job creation (57.2 per cent), equal access to affordable, quality education (46.1 per cent), and affordable housing and financial independence (32.2 per cent). Community leaders were rated as the most effective agents of positive change, indicating a demand for local, accountable leadership.
Strikingly, 36 per cent of youth said they could see themselves contesting for political office, challenging the stereotype that younger generations are politically apathetic. Many indicated a preference for active participation over armchair criticism.
On global risks, climate change emerged as the top concern, with more than 56 per cent calling it the greatest threat facing the world. On the technology front, about two-thirds believe artificial intelligence will hit entry-level jobs, yet roughly 60 per cent already use AI regularly to upgrade their skills.
The WEF said these findings are expected to feature prominently in discussions at its Annual Meeting in Davos next week.