North-South Youth: Diverging Contexts, Converging Expectations

Hicham Kasraoui

No 2633, Policy briefs on Economic Trends and Policies from Policy Center for the New South

Abstract: Amid overlapping health, geopolitical, economic, technological and climate crises, young people in the North and South are evolving in distinct environments that are progressively converging toward a shared set of concerns. Despite differing levels of development and historical trajectories, they face similar challenges: growing uncertainty about the future, difficulties entering the labor market, complex access to housing, fragile mental health, territorial inequalities and ecological anxiety. These developments are fueling a questioning of the traditional frameworks for social advancement and the promises of mobility associated with education, work and progress. Through a comparative analysis of the dynamics observed in countries of the North and South, this Policy Brief highlights the emergence of a common generational experience rooted in a heightened aspiration for participation, recognition and the search for meaning. It also shows that public responses cannot be limited to sectoral policies but must be part of a broader reflection on renewing the social contract. The paper therefore makes the case for more inclusive, territorially grounded and intergenerational development models capable of turning young people's aspirations into levers for cohesion, innovation and collective prosperity in a world undergoing profound change.

Date: 2026-09
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