Asia's Gen Z uprising: Youth reject 'corrupt, out-of-touch' ruling class sporting lavish lifestyles

Issued on: 24/09/2025 - 11:47

From Kathmandu to Jakarta, all the way to Manila, South Asia's youth are demanding a stake in their country's future. Educated voices have been taking to the streets to voice their anger and fractured hopes. In our wide‑ranging interview with David Camroux, we trace the "underlying causes" fuelling widespread unrest, billed as the "South Asia Spring". We're witnessing the perfect storm of overqualified youth shut out of the Asian economy, the danger of military power reclaiming civilian life, and the galvanising force of social media. “Younger people are better educated, but they can’t find the kind of jobs that are commensurate with their educational level,” explains Mr. Camroux. “If the only way of dealing with protests is simply through repression, then the situation can only worsen.”

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