OECD Youth Policy Toolkit

Report

26 November 2024

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4. Pillar V – Trust of young people in government and public institutions

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The OECD Council recommends that Adherents to the Recommendation on Creation Better Opportunities for Young People (OECD, 2022[1]) establish the legal, institutional and administrative settings to strengthen the trust of young people of all backgrounds in government, and their relationships with public institutions.

Recommendation V.1

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Remove barriers to and promote youth participation in civic and democratic processes and decision-making and representation in public institutions at all levels, including legislative and executive bodies.

Relevance

The effectiveness, resilience and credibility of public institutions, as well as the proper functioning of democratic systems depend on the active participation of citizens within those systems (OECD, 2023[2]). However, young people’s perception of having political influence and representation in decision-making has stagnated over the past decade across OECD countries. Young people are significantly underrepresented in public institutions, with only 23% of members of parliament being below the age of 40, while people aged 20‑39 years represent 34% of voting age populations across OECD countries in 2022. Representation gaps are even more pronounced within countries’ political leadership. In 2022, across OECD countries, only 7% of cabinet members were under 40 and only 2% were aged 35 or under. Moreover, young people are less likely than other age groups to engage in institutionalised forms of political activity such as voting in national and local elections or contacting a politician or government official (OECD, 2023[2]). Only 61% of people aged 18‑29 voted in the last national elections across OECD countries for which data is available in 2021, in contrast to 88% of those 50 or older (OECD, 2023[2]).

There are significant barriers that hinder young people from engaging actively in democratic processes, with a prominent one being the erosion of trust in public institutions since the 2007‑08 financial crisis and the subsequent recession that magnified the uncertainty faced by young people (France, 2016[3]). OECD analysis highlights that economic and social uncertainty significantly contributes to reduced levels of public trust (OECD, 2017[4]). In 2021, only 36.9% of people aged 18 to 29 expressed trust in their national government, compared to 45.9% among those aged 50 and over (OECD, 2023[2]). Limited awareness and understanding among young people of their democratic rights and political structures can also limit young people’s perception of democratic processes as useful channels to voice their concerns, demand change and ensure government accountability. According to the OECD Youth Governance Survey, the most cited obstacle faced by young people aspiring to become elected officials is a lack of time and financial resources to run a campaign. Other perceived barriers include limited opportunities within political parties (51% of surveyed youth organisations), traditional stereotypes that portray young people as inexperienced (47%) and minimum age requirements (22%) (OECD, 2020[5]).

A fair representation of young people in public institutions can help incorporating diverse perspectives, experiences and skills into public decision-making. In turn, studies show that diversity leads to more sustainable and responsive policy outcomes for all citizens (OECD, 2020[5]). This is of particular importance as young people are likely to bear most of the long-term implications of today’s policy decisions. Improving young people’s political efficacy, promoting their trust in government and strengthening their relationship with public institutions will enhance the resilience of societies in the face of future shocks. Empowering young people through civic and citizenship education and promoting inclusive representation by removing age‑related barriers therefore becomes a strategic necessity to ensure vibrant, representative democratic governance.

Box 4.1. Young People’s Voices

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“Civic education must be reinforced for young people to be aware of their rights.”
“Civic education is something that must be learned because it is not always understandable or accessible.”

Young people raise reviewing voting and candidacy minimum age requirements, introducing youth quotas and strengthening civic literacy as possible ways to promote youth representation in institutions.

Consultations with young people and youth organisations

Policies and Practices

1. Ensuring that young people are aware of and empowered to, exercise their democratic rights and participate in public and political life by leveraging civic and citizenship literacy including through curricular and extra-curricular activities.

2. Considering the review, where appropriate, of voter registration rules and minimum age requirements, which can constitute a barrier for youth participation and representation.

3. Increasing age diversity in parliamentary and executive bodies, where appropriate, through regulatory or voluntary measures, such as through youth quotas and voluntary targets in political party lists.

4. Addressing ageism and stereotypes against young people in public and political life by running or supporting awareness-raising programmes.

5. Recognising and safeguarding youth rights, building legal literacy and protecting civic space for young people with targeted measures for disadvantaged and underrepresented groups and strengthening media and digital literacy to help combat different forms of mis- and dis-information, intolerance and violence and address the risk of polarisation and disassociation from civic and democratic institutions.

Youth specific OECD indicators

% of people reporting trust in federal/central/national government, state/regional government, local/municipal government, federal/national parliament/Congress, national public/civil service, regional public/civil service by age group (OECD, 2024[6])
Voter turnout for people aged 18-25 relative to people aged 25-50 (OECD, 2024[7])
% of people reporting having voted in the last local/municipal elections in the last 12 months by age group (OECD, 2024[6])
% of people reporting having run for or held an elected office in the last 12 months by age group (OECD, 2024[6])
% of people reporting confidence in the political system to allow people like them to have a say in what the government does by age group (OECD, 2024[6])
% of people reporting confidence in their own ability to participate in politics by age group (OECD, 2024[6])
Average age of cabinet members (OECD, 2023[2])
% of people reporting having attended a meeting of a trade union or political party in the last 12 months by age group (OECD, 2024[6])

Other related indicators

% of Members of Parliament aged 40 or under (Inter-Parliamentary Union, 2024[8])
Minimum age for voting in parliamentary elections (Inter-Paliamentary Union, 2024[9])
Minimum age of eligibility for Member of Parliament (Inter-Parliamentary Union, 2024[10])

Civic education – Denmark, Portugal and Sweden

Context

Denmark, Portugal and Sweden prioritise civic education as a fundamental aspect of school curricula. This practice is known under different names: “School Election” in Denmark (Skolevalg) and in Sweden (Skoval) and “Youth Parliament” in Portugal. Civic education aims to equip the younger generation with the necessary skills to become informed and responsible citizens. Civic education can help strengthen young people’s participation and contribution to democratic processes.

Description

In mock elections organised in schools, students under the voting age can engage in a simulated voting process with ballot papers, voting lists and polling stations. Before the elections, politicians from different parties visit schools to present their ideas and policies and exchange with young people, fostering informed decision-making. The simulation of the voting process allows students to become accustomed with voting procedures before they reach voting age. Mock elections provide an opportunity for schools to discuss democratic governance and its principles. For instance, the Swedish Agency for Youth and Civil Society Affairs developed a “Democracy Package” with resources, exercises and tips for discussing politics and democracy. To encourage practical learning, schools compile assignments such as organising political newsrooms, conducting polls, running debates, drafting articles and creating short films. Sweden places an emphasis on running mock elections in schools in socio‑economically disadvantaged areas and on making them accessible for pupils with learning disabilities. In Denmark, all schools are invited to participate in the mock elections. In Portugal, the electoral process involves the selection of school deputies that design and present the school’s recommendations in district or regional sessions and, once endorsed, these recommendations are submitted to the national session of the “Youth Parliament”. Young deputies, representing each district or autonomous region, convene to discuss and approve the final recommendations.

Outcomes

Skolval 2022 has been evaluated both quantitatively and qualitatively by an external evaluation company, Dalarna University, Stockholm University and University and Mid Sweden University. Evaluation results highlighted that approximately 70% of participating students gained a better understanding of democratic processes and politics through the simulated school elections. About one‑third of students indicated that their motivation to vote in the next national elections increased as a result of participating in Skolval. Notably, 82% of the students expressed an intention to vote in the next elections when they are allowed to do so. 75% of the respondents acknowledged that the experience deepened their knowledge of political parties. Furthermore, 43% were more interested in politics and 34% stated that Skolval increased their political commitment. Around 46% of respondents expressed that they feel more confident in influencing politics. Evaluation results highlighted significant differences between students born in Sweden and those born outside of Sweden, with the latter group showing greater confidence in influencing politics and indicating to be more politically engaged. The evaluation also highlighted that Skolval fosters resistance to disinformation. In Denmark, Skolevalg was evaluated by researchers from the University of Copenhagen in 2015 and 2017, concluding that Skolevalg enhanced students’ political self-confidence. Moreover, the initiative strengthened students’ trust in the political system and politicians. Students have also strengthened their understanding of political parties’ ideologies. Portugal has observed an increasing number of schools and young people involved in the programme, from 445 schools participating in 2006 to 1 028 in 2022. In the 2022/23 editions, 2 326 students were chosen as young representatives to the parliament. By cultivating students’ awareness and knowledge of political dynamics and democratic processes, mock elections empower them to be more active citizens.

Easyvote – Switzerland

Context

In Switzerland, young voters participate less actively in democratic life than their older fellow citizens. The annual study carried out by the Swiss Research Institute gfs.bern demonstrates that an important and recurring reason is the overload of information and complexity of electoral documents for young voters. To overcome this challenge, the Swiss Federation of Youth Parliaments developed the web platform and application Easyvote. Easyvote aims to make information on politics and democratic processes accessible to young people and support them in understanding the impact of their vote. By contributing to improving civic literacy, Easyvote aims to promote the participation of young people aged 18 to 25 in democratic processes.

Description

Easyvote web platform presents political content in a clear and neutral format, making it more accessible for young people. The platform presents user-friendly interfaces and multimedia to capture the attention of young people. Easy-to‑understand videos on the electoral system and the significance of participating in elections are published on Easyvote’s website and social media accounts. Easyvote brochures, produced in an environmentally conscious manner, are sent to young people in 557 municipalities, providing them with a comprehensive overview of cantonal and national elections. The algorithms of the app Votenow allow users to find the candidates who best match their opinions based on a series of questions. Easyvote also provides teaching material for middle and high school teachers on multiple topics to help them enhance civic literacy among young people, including on separation of powers, federalism, climate change, health and social affairs, state structure in Switzerland and international politics. Furthermore, Easyvote conducts Politalks, a series of debates on current issues with young politicians who are invited into schools. It also implements the Politics and Media project, which aims to contribute to a dynamic and informed political discourse by publishing educational material and streaming live political debates. Additionally, Easyvote, in collaboration with University of Bern and the Swiss Research Institute gfs.bern, has carried out annual Youth and Political Monitoring Surveys since 2016. The survey targets young people aged 15 to 25 and focuses on political attitudes, preferred forms of participation and main resources of political information. The 2022 survey, with over 1 000 participants, revealed three main themes of interest for young people: discrimination, international politics and climate change. Additionally, 25% of respondents expressed that youth movements are predominantly led by older individuals and lack impact. The 2020 survey highlighted that 73% of respondents consider it very or somewhat important that political training is part of the school curriculum, up from 66% of respondents in 2014.

Outcomes

In addition to questions on political attitudes, the survey prepared by University of Bern and the Swiss Research Institute gfs.bern also includes questions assessing young people’s perspectives on Easyvote. Data from the 2022 Survey show that 94% of respondents consider Easyvote a comprehensible source of information on politics, second only to information provided by parents (95%). The survey reveals the clear and concise information, the engaging design of the website, the app and brochures are also contributing factors to young peoples’ preference. Additionally, Easyvote is the 9^th most used resource to obtain information on politics out of 20 different resources.

Reviewing minimum age requirements to vote and run as candidate in elections – Austria, Belgium, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Korea, Lithuania, Mexico and Türkiye

Context

Young people are less likely to join political parties than their older peers. They are also far less likely to vote in national elections (by 27 percentage points compared to people aged 50+). In addition, they remain underrepresented in legislative and executive branches. In 2022, 23% of members of parliament (MPs) and 7% of cabinet members were under the age of 40 across OECD countries, while 20‑39 year‑olds represent 34% of the voting age population. Young people face a number of barriers to voting and running as candidates in elections, including voter registration requirements, trade‑offs between investing in political involvement and studies/employment, lack of funding, traditional stereotypes and minimum age requirements. While voting age requirements are fixed at 18 in most OECD countries, age requirements to run for office tend to be higher (19.9 on average) and more diverse. 22 OECD countries fix the minimum age to run as MP (in lower chambers/unicameral legislatures) at 18, ten of them at 21 and six of them at 25. As highlighted by the OECD Recommendation on Creating Better Opportunities for Young People, governments can consider the review, where appropriate, of minimum age requirements.

Description

Numerous OECD countries have reviewed minimum age policies in recent years. In 2007, Austria was the first OECD country to lower the minimum age to vote in national elections to 16, after a series of reductions at national level (in 1992 from 19 to 18) and at sub-national level (from 18 to 16 in five federal states by 2005). The minimum age to vote in national elections is 18 in all OECD countries except Austria (16) and Greece (17). Korea lowered the voting age from 19 to 18 in 2019. In Italy, the minimum age to vote for the Senate was lowered from 25 to 18 in 2021. In Austria, Estonia, Greece and Israel, the minimum age to vote is below 18 in subnational elections (17 for Greece and Israel; 16 for Austria and Estonia). In Germany, it is below 18 for subnational elections in four federal states and local elections in 11 federal states. In 2022 and 2023 respectively, Belgium and Germany lowered the minimum age to vote in the European Parliament elections from 18 to 16, the only OECD/EU countries with the requirement below 18 together with Austria (16) and Greece (17). In Austria, the 2007 electoral reform was coupled with awareness-raising campaigns targeting first-time voters and enhanced civic education in schools. Countries have also been reviewing age requirements to run for office. Türkiye lowered the minimum age to run for parliament from 30 to 25 in 2007 and further reduced it to 18 in 2017. In 2021, Korea lowered candidacy age for national and local elections from 25 to 18. In 2022, Lithuania lowered the minimum age to run for parliament from 25 to 21. In 2023, Mexico reduced the eligibility age from 21 to 18 for deputies and from 30 to 25 for Secretaries of State.

Outcomes

Several studies highlight the impact of reviewing minimum age requirements. Allowing young people aged 16‑17 to vote can associate them closer to electoral processes as political socialisation in the family and in school are most impactful at that age compared to 18+. Indeed, studies show that close relatives and partners play a strong role in people’s voting behaviour. Studies also highlight a positive impact of lowering the voting age on civic education among young people. These effects can generate long-run benefits as people that vote when young are also more likely to continue voting when growing older. Such patterns have been confirmed by research conducted in Austria showing that turnout of 16‑ and 17‑year‑old Austrians tends to be higher than that of older first-time voters with no significant differences in political maturity. Research also finds that for every year candidacy age requirements are lowered, the share of young deputies aged 40 and lower increases by more than 1 percentage point. This pattern is confirmed by data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), highlighting that lower minimum candidacy age can support young people in building skills and connections at the local level in view of a political career at national level. More generally, the IPU advocates for the alignment of minimum voting age and minimum age of eligibility to run for office in order to ensure greater youth participation in public and political life.

Recommendation V.2

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Promote meaningful youth participation in public decision-making and spaces for intergenerational dialogue at all levels, with targeted measures to engage disadvantaged and underrepresented groups for more responsive, inclusive and accountable policy outcomes.

Relevance

Meaningful citizen and stakeholder participation can support resilient democracies and strengthen trust in public institutions, as outlined by the OECD Declaration on Building Trust and Reinforcing Democracy (OECD, 2023[2]). Stakeholder participation helps policy makers better identify citizens’ needs and can help them deliver more responsive and inclusive policy outcomes. The OECD Recommendation of the Council on Open Government highlights that stakeholder participation increases government accountability and strengthens citizen’s influence on public decision-making (OECD, 2017[28]). When young people are systematically engaged in policy making, they are more likely to express satisfaction with policy outcomes (OECD, 2020[5]). The engagement of young people in public decision-making is central to achieving sustainable, inclusive and resilient societies (United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 2023[29]). Moreover, promoting meaningful youth participation can positively impact their personal growth, skills and active citizenship (Brady, Chaskin and McGregor, 2020[30]).

By promoting transparency and effective communication, governments can ensure that young people have access to relevant information and opportunities to express their opinions and concerns. Inclusive and accessible digital technologies can play an instrumental role in enabling youth participation. While ministries’ websites remain the most common information platform, an increasing number of governments engages with young people through social media (OECD, 2020[5]). Yet, youth participation in public decision-making remains limited. According to the OECD Youth Governance Survey, only 26% of surveyed youth organisations expressed satisfaction with the performance of governments regarding youth participation in public life in 2019. OECD data reveals that while 92% of entities in charge of youth affairs had informed and consulted young people in the previous 12 months, only 43% had engaged them throughout the policy cycle. Among the barriers to effective co‑ordination between youth organisations and governments, 67% of the surveyed youth organisations pointed to lack of political will and leadership among government officials. Entities in charge of youth affairs highlighted insufficient resources, both within their entity and among youth organisations, as well as a lack of institutional mechanisms as important barriers (OECD, 2020[31]).

Young people are not a homogeneous group: governments need to ensure that young people from diverse backgrounds have equal opportunities to participate in public decision-making. Research shows that young individuals from families with more favourable socio-economic conditions demonstrate higher levels of civic and political participation (Häkli, 2011[32]). On the other hand, young people from low-income backgrounds might face additional barriers, such as limited resources and support networks as well as a perception that their participation is undervalued in society (Chaskin, 2018[33]). Unemployed young people and young people with disabilities are also underrepresented in public life (Chupina, n.d.[34]). Although most National Youth Strategies in OECD countries (84%) cover social inclusion of vulnerable young people as a thematic area, only one‑third of them were informed by targeted consultations with vulnerable and marginalised groups (OECD, 2020[5]).

By involving diverse voices, governments can build trust among young people, bridge generational gaps, strengthen democratic values and foster a more inclusive political landscape. Meaningful participation can also enhance young people’s perception of having a say in politics and strengthen their engagement in democratic processes.

Box 4.2. Young People’s Voices

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“Governments need to ensure that youth participation is meaningful and youth-led, and not just tokenistic.”
“It is important to make sure you show young people how their insights are taken into account.”
“Governments should support youth participation and engagement in decision-making at all levels, from local government to global governance.”

Young people highlight the unique expertise of youth organisations in addressing specific issues they face; yet they underscore persistent challenges for them to effectively engage with governments, including scarce resources, cultural stereotypes and limited proactive outreach from governments. They consider communication channels between governments and young people as often ineffective and not youth-friendly in terms of language and channels used. They recognise legal, institutional and administrative frameworks as key to create the right environment for meaningful youth participation.

Consultations with young people and youth organisations

Policies and Practices

1. Delivering targeted public communications that are relevant, clear and accessible to young people, based on active listening and understanding of young people’s concerns and interests, including through digital means, as part of broader open government initiatives.

2. Engaging young people and youth stakeholders in all stages the policy making cycle to ensure age diversity in stakeholder participation through in-person as well as digital means, with methods tailored to their availability, needs and interests.

3. Creating or strengthening institutions such as youth advisory bodies and opportunities for stakeholder participation, including through information sharing, consultations and engagement with youth councils at national and sub-national level on all policy areas that young people determine are of interest to them, including global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss and digital technology policy.

4. Exploring innovative methods to communicate and engage with diverse organised and non-organised groups of young people, such as through representative deliberative processes and digital government tools.

Youth specific OECD indicators

Existence of youth councils at the national level and subnational level (OECD, 2020[5])
Government entity in charge of youth affairs having informed, consulted and engaged youth stakeholders in the policy/service cycle in the past 12 months (OECD, 2020[5])
% of people reporting that it would be likely to have easy access to clear information on administrative services (OECD, 2024[6])

Promoting youth participation in tackling global challenges – Denmark and France

Context

Global challenges, notably climate change, pose an urgent threat to young people’s future and hold significant implications for intergenerational justice. Data from the 2021 OECD Trust Survey reveals that younger people in almost all surveyed countries are more likely to want governments to prioritise action on climate change than older people. In Denmark, 68% of people aged 15‑29 think climate has an impact on their lives, compared to 55% among the total population; in France, 79% of young people say they are interested in climate change. To promote youth participation in tackling global challenges, the Danish Government established the Youth Climate Council in March 2019 in response to advocacy efforts by Danish Youth Delegates and the Danish Youth Council. In 2023, France organised a Youth Forum in the context of citizen consultations on the energy mix (Forum des Jeunesses dans le cadre de la concertation citoyenne sur le mix énergétique) to involve young people in decision-making on the energy transition.

Description

The Youth Climate Council is an independent body of 14 members from all parts of Denmark, aged 18‑29, with a two‑year mandate to work on green policies. The Council includes for instance climate activists, students and technicians representing the Danish worker movement. The French Youth Forum brought together 200 young people, aged 18‑35, selected by sortition to represent the diversity of young people in France. The Forum enabled young people to deliberate on energy production and energy consumption policies, with the support of experts, with a view to identify priorities and actions to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and enable France to move away from dependence on fossil fuels. The implementation of the Forum was overseen by the National Commission for Public Debate, an independent administrative authority. In both France and Denmark, the outcomes are shared with relevant decision-makers to inform government policies and strategies. The Danish Council gathers inputs from young people in Denmark and provides policy recommendations to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Utilities every six months, with a focus on overall emission reduction targets, the food industry and EU policy and strategy. The deliberations in the French Forum provided recommendations and guidelines to contribute to the elaboration of the Planning Law on Energy and Climate and to the review of the multiannual energy programming for 2023‑24.

Outcomes

By acting as a bridge between young people and policy makers, these initiatives empower younger generations to have a voice in decision-making processes on issues that impact their lives in the present and future. They foster a sense of responsibility among young people, ensuring that their voices contribute to shaping climate and energy policies. In Denmark, the Youth Climate Council has issued recommendations on food policies, climate policies, taxation, the North Sea and green recovery. Recommendations of the Council have become an integral part of the policy making process within the ministry, allowing young individuals to have a direct influence on forthcoming climate policies. In addition, the Council contributes to fostering public support for an ambitious climate agenda through events, articles and media presence. In France, the Youth Forum generated targeted recommendations on energy consumption and energy production and identified key success factors and implementation challenges, informing government policies on the energy transition.

National Strategy for Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-Making – Ireland

Context

In 2015, Ireland introduced the National Strategy on Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-making, acknowledging that children and young people are not “beings in becoming” but rather are “citizens of today” with the right to be respected and heard during childhood, adolescence and transition to adulthood. This whole‑of-government strategy, developed by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (since 2020 referred to as the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth), aimed at promoting the active participation of children and young people in decision-making processes, including in community, education, health, well-being and legal settings.

Description

The National Participation Strategy is primarily aimed at children and young people under the age of 18 but “also embraces the voice of young people in the transition to adulthood up to the age of 24”. The Strategy is underpinned by a rights-based model of participation in line with Lundy’s Model of Participation. To support the implementation of the strategy, a national centre of excellence, Hub na nÓg, was established with the aim of ensuring capacity-building and providing resources for service providers and policy makers to better enable children and young people’s participation. It provides coaching, development advice and trainings that are tailored to the needs of the organisations to engage children and young people in decision-making. The action plan of the Strategy comprised of 99 action items and provided a structured roadmap with designated commitments for government departments and agencies, while encouraging collaboration between different sectors and stakeholders, fostering a co‑ordinated effort to achieve its goals. The Strategy emphasised the importance of involving certain groups of children and young people that organisations struggle to engage in decision-making, including LGBTI+1 children and young people, those with disabilities, those from ethnic minorities, Traveller and Roma children and young people, and young carers. The implementation of the Strategy is supported by four enabling factors: organisational endorsement, training for decision-makers, allocation of resources (financial, human and time) and the establishment of monitoring and feedback mechanisms.

Outcomes

The Final Review of the National Strategy on Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-Making 2015 – 2020 published in January 2023 demonstrates that government departments and agencies have made substantial progress in implementing 92 out of the 99 agreed actions. The results show the impact of a government-wide strategy in promoting child and youth participatory practices across departments and agencies. Children and young people were consulted on a variety of topics including the family justice system reform (Department of Justice), mask-wearing in primary schools (National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), Department of Health), skin cancer research (the National Cancer Control Programme, Department of Health), youth homelessness strategy (Department of Housing), school transport scheme and education anti-bullying plan (Department of Education), among others. Over 50% of Tusla (the Child and Family Agency) completed training in child and youth participation. A public consultation for developing the successor strategy was conducted in January 2023. The Strategy has also laid the bases for practical guidance. Building upon the foundation of the National Strategy, in 2021, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth launched the National Framework for Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-Making developed by Hub na nÓg in association with Queen’s University Belfast. The Framework provides practical guidance to support departments, agencies and organisations in improving their methods to involve children and young people in the development of policies, legislation, services and research.

Our Region, Our Voice, Regional Youth Investment Programme – Australia (New South Wales)

Context

The 2021 Australian Census reports that one‑third of New South Wales’s (NSW) young people live in regional areas (also defined as “regional youth”). Data shows that their outcomes lag behind their metropolitan peers across a range of indicators. Regional youth are less likely to finish high school or pursue university, and more likely to be unemployed. They face higher risk factors for long-term diseases, obesity and alcoholism. They usually must travel longer distances to access essential services. They are also less likely to feel safe in their community and to feel a sense of belonging. Australia aims for all regional communities to be places where young people are valued, supported and encouraged. The NSW Office for Regional Youth (ORY) was established within the Department of Regional NSW to provide a whole‑of-government approach to improving policy outcomes for young people, notably through the “Our Region, Our Voice – Regional Youth Investment Program.”

Description

The “Our Region, Our Voice – Regional Youth Investment Program” was established in June 2022 to deliver tailored investments and local projects that enhance the lives and well-being of regional youth. A youth consultation with nearly 2000 young people across the nine regions of regional NSW was conducted to understand what was most important for them and what investments could help improve their lives. The consultation included hard-to-reach groups that are often underrepresented and underserved, including young people with disabilities or caring for someone with a disability, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander young people, and young people who identified as LGBTIQ+.2 The consultation employed various methods of facilitation, including engaging with young people in their own spaces, taking the time to build rapport before sessions and creating dynamism through movement and fun. ORY developed evidence‑based priority areas for each region by triangulating the input from in-person engagements with over 650 young people, survey responses from over 1 300 young people as well as data on key economic and social indicators for each region. The consultation helped identify the main problems faced by young people such as lack of mental health support, need for improved career pathways, greater recreational activities and reliable public transport. The results helped identify priority areas for investment in each of the nine regions across four domains: Work Ready (skills and education), Well-being (health and inclusivity), Connectivity (transport and digital) and Community (belonging, agency and housing). A total of 69 projects for meaningful work, accessible healthcare and education, and inclusivity in the community are being delivered, with a value of USD 40 million. The projects are planned to run until May 2025.

Outcomes

The programme provides opportunities for young people to influence regional youth initiatives. The initiative has re‑engaged students, increased physical activity, improved access to essential services, supported equity of opportunities across regions and cohorts, promoted free social and recreational activities, enhanced mental health support, reduced juvenile re‑offending and accelerated recovery from the social and economic shocks of COVID‑19 and natural disasters. Under the Work Ready category, projects promote career pathways including work experience, mentoring, career advice and workshops focusing on including digital and financial literacy as well as interpersonal and leadership capabilities. Projects related to well-being promote awareness on mental and physical health and improved transportation to health services.

Recommendation V.3

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Promote the representation of young people in the public sector workforce, as well as intergenerational learning between older and younger employees.

Relevance

Promoting diversity and inclusion within the public sector workforce has emerged as a priority for governments across the OECD in recent years, especially in the context of ageing populations and workforces (OECD, 2021[50]). A more diverse workforce enhances people’s trust in public institutions and fosters public sector innovation and better policy outcomes (Nolan-Flecha, 2019[51]). Yet, despite improvements, young people’s representation in the public sector workforce remains limited. Across OECD countries with available data, officials aged 18‑34 represent only 19% of civil servants in central public administrations on average, whereas 26% of civil servants are over the age of 55 (OECD, 2021[52]). Several countries also lack disaggregated data on young people’s representation in the public sector workforce across ministries/job categories, indicating that age diversity is not systematically monitored. Among countries with or developing a national youth strategy, only 38% included objectives on the promotion of young people’s representation in state institutions (OECD, 2020[5]).

Millennials3 and GenZs4 place importance on various aspects when it comes to their job preferences, including opportunities for personal development, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, being empowered to drive change within their organisations and sustainability commitments of their employers (Deloitte, 2023[53]). However, within the entities in charge of youth affairs, only 39% provide career development programmes and only 30% have mentorship programmes in place. Similarly, structured graduate programmes aimed at attracting, developing and retaining highly qualified young talent through training, mentoring, job rotation and accelerated promotion tracks are not widely in place (OECD, 2020[31]). Complex recruitment processes with high numbers of applications, lengthy procedures, numerous assessment steps and strict regulations also contribute to making the public sector less appealing to young people (OECD, 2016[54]).

In the face of an ageing workforce, governments are confronted with the necessity and the opportunity to transform public administrations to attract a young generation of civil servants. Limited representation of young employees poses a risk to public administrations, as it hinders their capacity for renewal and diversity (OECD, 2017[55]). If harnessed effectively, an ageing workforce can provide valuable opportunities for young graduates to learn from experienced civil servants. Effective knowledge management and transfer strategies are crucial to prevent the loss of institutional knowledge and experience when a significant number of officials retire (OECD, 2015[56]). It is essential for countries to establish structured intergenerational learning opportunities between older and younger employees to bridge generational gaps, flatten hierarchical structures and promote age diversity in public administrations. Ensuring a fair representation of young people in the public sector workforce can lead to better policy outcomes by leveraging diversity in decision-making to generate innovative solutions to policy challenges.

Box 4.3. Young People’s Voices

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“Work life balance is important for young people and salaries are often not attractive enough in the public sector.”

Young people often face difficulties in securing employment and frequently overlook the public sector as an option. They say that internship opportunities and training programmes can provide valuable pathways to promote the representation of young people in the public sector workforce.

Consultations with young people and youth organisations

Policies and Practices

1. Systematically monitoring age diversity and inclusion in the public sector workforce through regular data collection, analysis, communication and through the use of employee surveys, with a view to ensuring a supportive and inclusive workplace environment.

2. Considering measures to proactively attract, develop and retain young talent from diverse backgrounds in the public sector workforce, including by ensuring that public recruitment systems and assessment methodologies keep pace with changing skills and competency requirements as well as changing aspirations, and through implementing effective on-boarding programmes and mobility opportunities, such as through dedicated graduate programmes.

3. Implementing strategies to leverage the benefits of a multigenerational workforce, including through greater use of talent management practices and tools such as mentoring programmes, coaching and support networks to promote intergenerational teamwork and learning.

Youth specific OECD indicators

% of central government employees aged18-34 years old, 35-55 years old and 55+ years old (OECD, 2021[50])

The Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) – Ireland

Context

The Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) is an integrated cross-government service established in 2012 with the objective of enhancing the role of economics and value for money analysis in public policy making. The IGEES is part of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. IGEES policy analysts work within all government departments and the Revenue Commissioners. To have a continuous inflow of quality trained professionals in economics in the government, IGEES delivers a comprehensive programme of recruitment, progression, learning and development for young graduates as well as experienced professionals.

Description

IGEES offers three areas of action for building the capacity of young people within the public sector workforce: internships, recruitment of young graduates and trainings for better policy making. In 2019, IGEES started a 3‑month internship programme for both undergraduate and masters’ students in ten different government departments. The internship programme allows interns to gain knowledge in data analysis and research and to delve into the daily work of the civil service. Moreover, each year, the programme recruits between 20 and 30 graduates with strong data analysis skills. These graduates contribute to national policy development, policy analysis and evaluation as well as economic modelling and forecasting in the departments. IGEES Graduate Policy Analysts and Economists can also participate in a one‑year graduate programme to gain core competencies required for working effectively in the civil service. Furthermore, IGEES facilitates specialist training for policy analysts, including an induction training programme for new analysts. IGEES provides specific learning and development opportunities such as a platform for discussion on analytical outputs, policy discussion sessions, seminars and conferences, strengthening skills and knowledge development as well as building capacities. Furthermore, the programme offers opportunities for mobility in the civil service, as participants change position every two years across or within departments.

Outcomes

Since its establishment in 2012, over 200 analysts have been recruited through the IGEES specialist recruitment stream. Through its recruitment and training of graduates and young professionals, IGEES is bringing new skills into the public sector workforce, and it strengthens the technical capability of policy analysis. Through its internship programme, IGEES supports the development of future analytical capability in the Civil Service. In 2023, 23 interns undertook research projects on diverse policy issues, including climate change, macroeconomics, health and disability in 10 different government departments. IGEES Learning and Development (L&D) programmes support the improvement of specialised skills of new recruits. By broadening the scope of new recruitments and providing eligibility not only to economists, but also to social scientists, the programme increased the diversity of the skills set within the civil service.

Initiatives for strengthening the public sector workforce – France

Context

In France, the attractiveness of public employment has declined over the past decades due to decreased interest among younger generations in public sector careers, highly selective entrance exams and salary gaps compared to the private sector. The lack of a unified communication strategy from the State as an employer has generated an impression in public opinion that the government is not actively recruiting, although it recruits around 40 000 civil servants each year. A significant decline in the number of candidates participating in public sector entrance exams has been observed since the mid‑1990s, dropping from 16 candidates per post in 1997 to six candidates in 2023. France developed three initiatives to maintain its appeal and attract skilled individuals: the creation of the employer brand “Choose Public Service” (Choisir le Service Public), the “Public Service Talent” plan (Talent du service public) and the apprenticeship and internship programme in the public sector.

Description

The Choisir le Service Public programme aims to establish a transversal identity for the public sector as an employer, including through the creation of a dedicated website that consolidates all relevant information on entry into the public service. Moreover, through educational content, it allows young people and those unfamiliar with the public service to access comprehensive information on recruitment processes and career opportunities within this sector. The Talent du service public plan is designed to enhance diversity within the public sector and to promote access to equal opportunities. The plan includes four main initiatives aimed at attracting young people and diversifying recruitment to the public service. The “Public Service Co‑ordination” (Les Cordées du service public) initiative seeks to establish partnerships between high schools and “public service schools” (Écoles de service public) to inspire higher academic aspirations among young people, overcome self-censorship and guide them towards training for competitive exams in the public sector. The “Talent Preparatory Classes” (Prépas Talents) are preparatory courses for competitive exams designed for students from disadvantaged economic backgrounds, complemented by “Talent scholarships” through which financial support is provided. Lastly, the “Talent Exams” (Concours Talents) offers a specific recruitment process with specially allocated places to those participating in the Prépas Talents. To further enhance the attractiveness of the public sector, France implemented apprenticeships and internships for people aged 16‑29. The dedicated website “Apprenticeship and Internship Platform” (PASS – Place de l’apprentissage et des stages) lists all internship offers for greater ease of use and accessibility. The circular issued by the Minister of Transformation and the Public Service on 21 May 2021, aims to mobilise ministerial departments to welcome a growing number of interns.

Outcomes

These initiatives have resulted in a growing interest for the public sector among young people. The Choisir le Service Public platform saw an increase in the number of offers and a positive dynamic in terms of registrations on the site, with a 34.5% increase. Furthermore, for 2021‑22, out of 507 students who were able to register, 250 took part in at least one of the Concours Talents equating to a participation rate of 49%. The success rates of young people taking the exam are encouraging and have been rising since the creation of the Prépas Talents. Moreover, apprenticeships and internships provide young people with the opportunity to gain access to the public sector and benefit from remuneration. According to the “Department of Research Animation, Studies and Statistics” (Direction de l’Animation de la Recherche, des Études et des Statistiques), in 2021, of the 20 800 new contracts, 31% of apprentices were recruited in the “State Civil Service” (Fonction Publique d’Etat), 63% in the “Territorial Civil Service” (Fonction Publique Territoriale) and 6% in the “Hospital Civil Service” (Fonction Publique Hospitalière). Moreover, in 2021, 40 476 interns were recruited in the various ministerial departments.

Civil Service Fast Stream – United Kingdom

Context

To improve the appeal of the public sector and offer young people the opportunity to gain professional experience while actively shaping their country’s trajectory, the United Kingdom runs the Civil Service Fast Stream Programme. The Civil Service is one of the largest employers in the United Kingdom. The Fast Stream is a graduate programme that accelerates the careers of young people through developing their skills, knowledge and networks and cultivating future leaders in the public sector. With opportunities across various government departments and varying length of placements, the Fast Stream offers a diverse range of roles. With an emphasis on diversity and inclusivity and commitment to enabling individuals from minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and those who have faced disadvantage to excel in public service workforce, Civil Service seeks to deliver better outcomes to the citizens they serve.

Description

Civil Service Fast Stream is available for undergraduates in their final year of studies, graduates or those pursuing a degree or apprenticeship. The programme values individual skills, potential and aptitude, and it ensures that educational degree does not create a barrier to eligibility. The programme offers 15 different schemes to choose from when applying, on topics including digital, data, technology and cyber, diplomacy, finance, economics, science and engineering, policy and operational delivery. Action Learning Sets (ALS) and group sessions with a Skills and Capability Manager are organised for participants to develop their skills. The programme provides support for personal development, including access to e‑learning, volunteering opportunities and job shadowing experiences and also provides opportunities for flexible working. Moreover, the UK Civil Service Fast Stream is an accredited Disability Confident Leader with several awards on diversity and inclusion. It is also recognised as a high-quality graduate employer in independent rankings (e.g. The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers). A summer internship programme is also available for undergraduate students from all backgrounds to experience a career in the Civil Service for two months. Following their internship, they can undertake the Fast Pass, which is a quicker route to Fast Stream selection.

Outcomes

The impact of the Fast Stream and Fast Track Apprenticeship is measured using key performance indicators aligned with strategic objectives that are monitored by the Research and Analysis team within Fast Stream and Early Talent. The number of applicants has risen steadily, from 40 570 in 2017 to 59 603 in 2021. The number of applicants recommended for appointment has also followed a general upward trend since 2011, reaching a high of 1 072 in 2021. In terms of diversity, 29.6% of applicants in 2021 were from minority ethnic groups, 12.7% were people with disabilities and 14.2% identified with the LGBTQ+5 community. Additionally, 88.7% of applicants were below 29 years old, highlighting a focus on attracting young people. The programme organises Discovery Events which are information sessions at schools. These sessions have been effective, with a majority of students expressing interest in a civil service career after graduation and 92% of attendees reporting increased understanding of civil service work. Participants’ testimonies highlight that the Fast Stream programme has been an opportunity for them to acquire new skills, gain confidence, accelerate their professional development and discover a new career path.

Recommendation V.4

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Provide young people with opportunities that encourage civic engagement and participation, including by promoting meaningful volunteer service and youth work through laws, strategies and programmes, at the appropriate level(s) of government, to enable a common vision, clear responsibilities, co‑ordinated action and adequate resources, as well as increase resilience and social cohesion.

Relevance

Youth work encompasses a wide range of social, cultural, educational, sporting, leisure and political activities, managed by professional and voluntary youth workers. Youth workers also play a crucial role in providing targeted support to marginalised young people and enhance community resilience during crises, as demonstrated during the COVID‑19 pandemic. Collective efforts of youth organisations during the pandemic have been instrumental in mitigating the impact of school closures and the disruption of support services, addressing feelings of loneliness and anxiety and fostering social cohesion in challenging times (OECD, 2020[68]).

However, data from the OECD Youth Governance Surveys reveals that both governments and youth organisations perceive a lack of financial resources as a significant challenge in this sector. Since the 2007‑08 financial crisis, youth work has often experienced deep cuts in funding from public authorities, impacting the sector’s ability to effectively serve young people. Lack of national strategy for youth work and lack of effective co‑ordination between youth organisations, national and sub-national authorities are also important challenges reported by youth organisations (OECD, 2020[5]).

Volunteering is a powerful tool for enabling young people to actively participate in their communities and be perceived as valued citizens. Beyond fostering social relations, volunteering enhances both hard and soft skills for young people, with potential benefits for their career paths. It also contributes to fostering civic mindfulness, responsible citizenship and respect for diversity among young individuals. In 2022, across OECD countries with available data, 21% of young people aged 15‑29 reported to have volunteered over the previous month (Gallup, 2022[69]). Evidence suggests that youth volunteering faces obstacles such as limited opportunities, insufficient resources and lack of awareness (OECD, 2020[5]). Logistical and financial challenges can particularly hinder young individuals from disadvantaged socio‑economic backgrounds from volunteering and ensuring access to volunteering opportunities for all young people remains a challenge.

Promoting meaningful volunteer service and youth work through laws, strategies and programmes at appropriate levels of government fosters a collaborative relationship between young people, youth organisations and the government. Young people’s perception of being heard and their contributions being incorporated into government action can help develop a sense of trust in the effectiveness of public institutions. Youth work and youth volunteering sectors need to be strengthened through sufficient funding, strategic guidance and effective co‑ordination.

Box 4.4. Young People’s Voices

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“There needs to be a broadening of government understanding of what participation looks like: young people often prefer informal methods.”

Young people highlight the need for accessible and affordable opportunities for meaningful youth engagement as well as the opportunity of involving grassroot organisations, young volunteers and non-organised young people.

Consultations with young people and youth organisations

Youth specific OECD indicators

% of people reporting having participated in non-institutionalised channels of political life (e.g. demonstrations, posting political content online, signing petitions) in the past 12 months by age group (OECD, 2024[6])
% of people reporting having participated in volunteering for social and environmental causes in the past 12 months by age group (OECD, 2024[6])
% of people reporting they trust most people in general by age group (OECD, 2024[6])
Other related indicators
Young people using the internet for civic and political participation as of percentage of population (Eurostat, 2022[70])
Rate of volunteering time for an organisation among young people (OECD, 2020[71])

Civic service and youth volunteering programmes – Canada, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the European Union

Context

At least 16 OECD members including Canada, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the European Union have put in place civic service or youth volunteering programmes. While there is significant variation in their features, these programmes aim to promote young people’s civic engagement and active citizenship. The Canada Service Corps in Canada, the Civic Service in France, the Universal Civil Service in Italy, Me Volunteer in Luxembourg and the European Solidary Corps provide opportunities for young people to become active citizens and contribute to their communities, while fostering social diversity, inclusion and solidarity. They allow young people to practice leadership, develop new skills and grow networks.

Description

The duration and time commitment of volunteer and civic service placements vary widely, sometimes offering full-time or part-time alternatives. Placements focus on a variety of themes including reconciliation, preserving the environment, promoting civic and democratic engagement, strengthening youth resilience and inclusivity. In addition to placements with civil society organisations, Canada offers micro-grants up to CAD 5 000 for young people to lead their own community projects, proposing concrete solutions to issues of concern in their community. The European Solidarity Corps similarly offers support to local youth-led solidarity projects, in addition to individual or team-based volunteering placements. By removing professional and academic requirements for participating in the programme, the French Civic Service takes a non-discriminatory approach to engaging young people to promote social diversity. In France, Italy and Luxembourg, each young participant is accompanied by a tutor and receives training on civic engagement and democratic citizenship, as well as personal and professional skills. In the Italian, Luxembourgish and European programmes, young people are also provided with the opportunity to pursue placements abroad.

Outcomes

In 2021‑23, the European Solidarity Corps provided nearly 40 000 volunteering opportunities for young people, with 35% of participants being people with fewer opportunities and 65% women. In Italy, approximately 120 000 young people participated in the Universal Civil Service between 2019 and 2021, while Canada delivered over 40 000 service opportunities to youth across Canada since the programme’s inception in 2018. During the 2021/22 school year, 478 new full-time volunteers committed themselves to the Luxembourgish programme. In 2022, 144 000 young participants were provided placements in France. Participants of civic service and volunteering programmes gain skills, knowledge and self-confidence to take part in other service opportunities, youth-led initiatives and active citizenship. According to the evaluation conducted by Employment and Social Development Canada, the programme facilitates the participation of diverse youth in inclusive and accessible youth-led projects with a social or environmental impact. The programme has also been effective in engaging Indigenous and under-served young people in its activities. The 2021 French Civic Service Agency’s evaluation highlights that the programme contributes to forging diversity, with 74% of the volunteers who stated having encountered individuals from different social backgrounds during their placement. According to the report, the Civic Service is a way to gain work experience (33% of respondents), contribute to the well-being of the society (24%) and an opportunity to become socially involved (20%). An evaluation conducted by French Centre for Studies and Research on Qualifications reveals that one year after completion, 49% of participants had jobs, 20% were job-seeking and 20% pursued further education. The positive impacts were more marked among young people from vulnerable backgrounds.

The Future: Policy on leisure and youth work for children and young people – Iceland

Context

All children and young people have the right to participate in leisure, youth work and creative activities without barriers. To achieve this goal, the Ministry of Education and Children’s Affairs in Iceland issued its first policy on leisure and youth work for children and young people in March 2022, in line with the pre‑existing Youth Act no. 70/2007. With the strategy, leisure and youth work activities are based on a solid operating base. The policy aims at ensuring that all children and young people, especially those from marginalised groups, have access to professional and safe opportunities for leisure and youth work activities with social, preventive and educational values, ultimately improving democratic consciousness and well-being.

Description

The policy was developed by the Ministry of Education and Children’s Affairs, in co‑operation with the Youth Council. The policy was informed by broad consultations with children, young people and youth stakeholders. Inputs from the consultations were integrated into the draft policy and action plan, ensuring that the final document reflects the needs and aspirations of young people. Targeting children and young people aged 6‑ 25, the policy outlines overall objectives and sub-goals across different dimensions, and it clarifies the institutional and organisational framework for leisure and youth work activities. The policy is accompanied by a three‑year action plan to guide its implementation by the Ministry of Education and Children’s Affairs in collaboration with the Youth Council, the Ombudsman for children, the Union of Icelandic municipalities and youth stakeholders. The policy supports a broad spectrum of leisure and youth work activities that are tailored to children and young people’s interests, involving youth in decision-making, fostering experiential learning and personal growth, encouraging self-exploration and diversity, educating on rights and respecting opinions, and promoting inclusive group dynamics and safe environments. The policy sets out priorities for the Ministry of Education and Children’s Affairs in Iceland until 2030, including the revision of the Youth Act no. 70/2007, the establishment of a platform for leisure and youth work activities, the development of professional quality standards in leisure and youth work and the reinforcement of research in the field of leisure activities for children and young people.

Outcomes

Monitoring and evaluation will be conducted as an on-going process. It will include consultations with the Youth Council and dialogue with stakeholders in the field of youth leisure activities and it will be informed by youth research in Iceland. The policy will be re‑evaluated in 2025.

Government grants to youth organisations – Sweden

Context

Promoting voluntary activities of young people is important for supporting young people’s democratic commitment and active citizenship. The Swedish National Youth Policy aims at creating platforms where young individuals can actively participate, express their concerns and contribute to decision-making processes. The Policy recognises young people’s independent organisation and volunteering as one of the channels to achieve this objective. The Ordinance on State Grants for Child and Youth Organisations, issued in 2011, aims to encourage youth volunteering by providing grants to non-profit children and youth organisations. Through this support, organisations enhance young people’s participation in societal matters and contribute to growth of leaders.

Description

The Swedish Agency for Youth and Civil Society (MUCF) distributes grants to youth organisations annually and submits a report to the government on the use and outcomes of the grants. Grants are available to non-profit organisations for children and youth which have voluntary membership and operate democratically and independently, while respecting the principles of equality and non-discrimination. To qualify for grants, the organisations need to be youth-led, where young people have influence over the activities of the organisation, for instance through board participation. Additionally, the organisation needs to have at least 1 000 members between 6 and 25 years of age. The grant is awarded to a wide range of child and youth organisations including student organisations, organisations representing different ethnic groups, LGBTQ6-rights organisations, cultural organisations, climate and environmental organisations, Sobriety organisations, organisations representing national minorities and organisations for young persons with disabilities. Criteria for organisations representing national minorities or young people with disabilities in Sweden vary slightly, requiring at least 200 members between 6 and 25 years of age. Youth organisations receiving organisational grants can use it to cover both activity and administration costs. National umbrella organisations can also decide to distribute it to local member associations.

Outcomes

MUCF submits annual reports to the government on the use of the grants and their impact. The 2023 evaluation highlights that both the use and reported impact of grants align with their intended purposes. Investments in civil society organisations for young people prove effective in building relations, increasing quality of life, and promoting independence. In 2022, 114 youth organisations spanning across most of Sweden’s counties, with totally 656 000 members between 6 and 25 years of age received a government grant. Organisations receiving grants emphasise that the grant allows them to provide platforms and meeting places for young people with shared interests, promote social inclusion, strengthen confidence and enable participation and influence in the organisations. The grant also facilitates organisations in providing leisure activities for children and young people. With the help of the grant, beneficiary organisations can increase young people’s participation and influence in society, by giving them the tools to organise themselves and understand the democratic process. Some organisations also report having used the grants to cultivate future leaders through providing trainings to young people. Empowered by the grant, young individuals actively contribute to setting new goals for the organisation and implement creative projects collaboratively. The organisation’s backing provides them with the means to advocate for and actualise their ideas. The evaluation of the government grants indicate that the initiative contributes to the long-term goal of strengthening the independent organisation and influence of children and young people in society and improving the conditions for civil society as a central part of democracy.

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Notes

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← 1. LGBTI+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersexual, Queer, plus other identities.

← 2. LGBTIQ+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersexual, Queer, plus other identities.

← 3. Millennials are usually defined as individuals born between 1981‑96.

← 4. GenZ is usually defined as individuals born between 1997‑2012.

← 5. LGBTQ+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual, Queer, plus other identities.

← 6. LGBTQ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual and Queer.

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