'Inequality top economic concern for youth globally'

Growing inequality between the rich and poor is the topmost economic concern for the youth across the world, while a large number of them want to run for political office rather than just critique, a new survey showed on Monday.

- Press Trust of India

The World Economic Forum's Youth Pulse 2026: Insights from the Next Generation for a Changing World 2026 report sought to know how the next generation is interpreting, and responding to, rapid economic, political, technological and environmental change.

The survey, drawing insights from nearly 4,600 young people aged 18-30 in 144 countries and territories, found that 48.2% identify ‘growing inequality between the rich and poor’ as the top economic trend shaping the future.

Yet in regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, entrepreneurship emerged as the most powerful economic force—reflecting growing confidence in innovation and self-determination as key drivers of opportunity.

More than 57% cited financial concerns among their biggest sources of stress or anxiety.