Youth Optimism in Developing Nations

Youth in developing countries exhibit significant optimism about their futures compared to their peers in developed nations, which shows a concerning pessimism. A 2018 study revealed that over 90% of teenagers in countries such as Kenya, India, and Nigeria expressed hope for the future, contrasting sharply with the feelings of youth in Sweden and France. This optimism has persisted despite recent global crises, suggesting that young people in these regions feel a sense of agency that their futures are within their control. This disparity in outlook may stem from the rapid urbanization and economic development occurring in these nations, which provides a different framework for young people to envision their prospects.