- Two-thirds (67%) of citizens believe that for the country to do well, Malawians should listen more to the wisdom of the elders. Only 30% think they should instead listen more to fresh ideas from young people (Figure 1).
- Even among young respondents (aged 18-35), 61% prioritise the wisdom of the elders.
- Young Malawians’ priorities for increased government spending to help young people are business loans (33%), job creation (30%), job training (16%), and education (15%) (Figure 2).
- Like their elders, young citizens cite management of the economy as the most important problem the government should address (Figure 3).
- One in four young respondents (25%) say they “frequently” discuss politics with family and friends (Figure 4). About one in eight (13%) say they contacted a member of Parliament during the previous year, while 18% say they contacted their local government councillor
- Six in 10 young respondents (60%) say they voted in the most recent national election, compared to 85% of their elders (Figure 5).
Most Malawians, including the youth themselves, prioritise the “wisdom of the elders” over fresh ideas from young people, according to the latest Afrobarometer survey.
Survey findings show that the leading priorities for young Malawians are business loans, creation of job opportunities, job training, and education.
Like their older counterparts, young citizens cite management of the economy as the most important problem the government should address.
But levels of political participation by young people do not reflect an active quest for a place at the decision-making table, and voter turnout remains far lower among young adults than among their elders.
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