Bangladesh is a young nation, not just in history but in its demographics. More than half of the population is under 35, and their energy can be felt everywhere — in universities, start-ups, social media debates, and protest rallies. They are shaping a new imagination of what Bangladesh should look like in the next decade. The question is: what do they really want from politics, and what do they expect from political parties?
Youth Attitudes Towards Politics
Today’s youth are less interested in traditional slogan-driven politics and more focused on practical results. They don’t want politics to be limited to power struggles or street protests. They want it to solve real issues — education, healthcare, jobs, the environment, and security. Many young people express frustration that politics is too personality-driven, lacks transparency, and offers little space for meaningful participation.
What They Expect from Political Parties
First and foremost, they want transparency and accountability. They expect parties to disclose how they fund their campaigns and how public money is spent. They want regular updates on whether election promises are being fulfilled.
Second, they want participation and inclusion. Youth leadership should not just be a token gesture but a genuine pathway to decision-making. Parties need to involve young people in policy formulation, create digital platforms for dialogue, and make room for fresh, competent faces in leadership positions.
Third, they want a future-oriented development agenda. Quality education, innovation-friendly policies, support for start-ups, green economy initiatives, and smart cities are all on the youth wishlist.
E-Governance and Technology
This generation is digitally native. They expect government and political parties to use technology to make governance easier and more transparent. Online voter registration, digital town halls, blockchain-based secure voting systems — these are not futuristic ideas to them but necessary steps for a more inclusive democracy.
Climate and Environmental Awareness
Climate change is not an abstract topic for the youth of Bangladesh — it is their future at stake. They expect political parties to take the climate crisis seriously, adopt strong green energy policies, reduce carbon emissions, and protect rivers and forests. They want sustainable urban planning that ensures clean air, better waste management, and green spaces in cities.
Employment and Economic Security
Youth unemployment is one of the biggest worries for this generation. They want politics to deliver economic policies that create jobs, upskill the workforce, and make Bangladesh competitive globally. They also expect support for entrepreneurship, freelancing, and gig economy opportunities.
A Change in Political Culture
Perhaps most importantly, they want an end to toxic, confrontational politics. They are tired of violence, road blockades, and endless blame games. They want policy-driven debates, televised discussions, and solutions-oriented campaigns. For them, politics should be about ideas, not insults.
Youth Engagement in Politics
The new generation wants to vote, but they want their vote to matter. Whether through EVMs or paper ballots, they demand free, fair, and secure elections that restore their trust. Many of them are willing to join politics, but corruption, nepotism, and lack of meritocracy discourage them. If parties create fair entry points for talented young people, they are ready to step in and lead.
The Road Ahead
The future of Bangladesh depends on this generation. They are tech-savvy, globally aware, and solution-oriented. If political parties earn their trust, give them space, and focus on solving real problems, politics will naturally become more constructive, innovative, and inclusive.
The message from the youth is clear: let politics be more than a game of power. Let it be a tool for change, a platform for innovation, and a driver of a better future.

Md Shariful Islam Dulu PhD
Specialist, Center for Political Innovation and Transformation [CPIT]