Nairobi: Young people are angry and protesting in a number of Asian countries demanding change, economic opportunities and an end to corruption. From stormed palaces to fleeing heads of state, a number of Asian countries are witnessing political transformations led by a generation born into the digital age.
According to Deutsche Welle, this digitally savvy Gen Z, a term referring to people born roughly between 1997 and 2012, has emerged as a formidable force, challenging authoritarianism, corruption, and economic inequality with street-level activism. In Sri Lanka, the 2022 unrest amid economic turmoil led to the ouster of then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Some experts liken the situation in Asia to the Arab Spring, a series of mass protests in the Middle East and North Africa in the early 2010s. The Arab Spring was driven by rage over corruption and economic hardship and toppled several governments, including those of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Yemen. Yet, the aftermath was anything but triumphant, giving way to years of unrest and fragile transitions.
Despite differences in political settings, experts say the issues sparking unrest in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal are similar to those during the Arab Spring, citing widespread frustration over corruption, economic hardship, and misgovernance. Annisa R. Beta, a senior lecturer in cultural studies at the University of Melbourne, highlighted the role of social media in spreading discontent and facilitating youth-led demonstrations, making centralized control nearly impossible.
Ishrat Hossain from the German Institute of Global and Area Studies noted that social digital platforms have compounded the impact of protests, allowing non-traditional leaders like rappers and hackers to emerge. Rajat Das Shrestha, a musician and prominent Gen Z figure in Nepal, believes the root causes of unrest are corruption and authoritarianism across the region. He sees a pattern in Asia where governments risk falling when the youth rise.
Beta believes this youth-led movement represents a generational shift, not a fleeting moment. She predicts a continuous political awakening marked by Gen Z, and eventually Gen Alphas and Gen Betas, those born after 2010. While initial sparks in these countries may appear similar, each is charting its own course. Sri Lanka has regained political and economic stability, Indonesia has preserved its system, and Bangladesh is precariously positioned between reforms and potential chaos.
GIGA expert Hossain remains cautiously optimistic, noting that without institutionalizing protest demands through legal mechanisms and oversight structures, today’s victories could turn into tomorrow’s nostalgia.