In recent years, parts of South Asia have witnessed a series of political upheavals that have significantly altered the region's political landscape. The Sri Lankan movement in 2022, the Bangladesh Gen Z movement in 2024, and the Nepal Gen Z revolution in 2025 are not isolated incidents but interconnected expressions of a region-wide discontent, ignited by the energy and aspirations of their youth.

Gen Z, defined as individuals born between 1997 and 2012, has emerged as a powerful force in South Asian politics. This generation, characterized by their innate digital fluency and a profound disillusionment with traditional political establishments, is uniquely positioned to bypass state-controlled media and mobilize vast numbers with unprecedented speed. Leveraging the power of social media, Gen Z has toppled entrenched regimes and ushered in new, albeit fragile, political dispensations.

The context for this volatility is rooted in years of political and economic decay. In Sri Lanka, the Aragalaya movement of 2022 was the culmination of a catastrophic economic crisis, the most severe in the nation's history. By 2022, the country's GDP had shrunk by a staggering 7.3%, and its foreign reserves were nearly depleted, leading to crippling shortages of essential goods and skyrocketing inflation.

This economic collapse, a direct result of populist tax cuts, unsustainable borrowing, and a disastrous shift to organic farming, forced then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the powerful Rajapaksa dynasty from office. The subsequent appointment of Ranil Wickremesinghe was met with controversy, and it was the 2024 election that marked a true repudiation of the old guard. The victory of Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the National People’s Power (NPP) coalition represented a seismic shift, bringing a new government to power with a mandate to address corruption and restore economic stability.

In Bangladesh, the 2024 Gen Z movement was ignited by widespread fury over a 30% civil service quota for descendants of 1971 Liberation War veterans, a policy under the Sheikh Hasina government that was widely perceived as institutionalized nepotism. What began as a student protest quickly morphed into a nationwide uprising against corruption, democratic backsliding, and economic stagnation. This digitally native movement used social media platforms to organize with remarkable speed and efficiency, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

An interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was established with a broad mandate for systemic reform. However, the path forward has been fraught with difficulty. A year on, Bangladesh remains mired in instability, with political parties unable to agree on election dates and a troubling resurgence of mob violence, highlighting the deep-seated challenges in transitioning from protest to stable governance.

Similarly, Nepal’s 2025 youth-led revolution was triggered by a single act of censorship: a government ban on major social media platforms. This move was the final straw for a populace, particularly those aged 13 to 28, already simmering with anger over political instability, endemic corruption, and a lack of economic opportunity. The protests escalated into widespread unrest, with demonstrators storming government buildings, setting fire to the parliament, and clashing violently with security forces, resulting in at least 51 deaths and over 1,300 injuries.

This chaos forced Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign, leading to the appointment of former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as the new prime minister. Her government now faces the daunting task of healing a wounded nation, addressing its core economic challenges, and implementing meaningful reforms to prevent a recurrence of such explosive unrest.

Rising Youth Unemployment

The main reasons for this regional political volatility are strikingly similar across these nations. A primary driver is the staggering rate of youth unemployment. In 2024, Nepal's youth unemployment rate stood at a concerning 20.82%, while in Bangladesh it was approximately 11.46%. Sri Lanka, in March 2025, reported a youth unemployment rate of 19.7%. These figures represent millions of educated and ambitious young people with bleak future prospects, creating a fertile ground for dissent.

Compounding this is the pervasive issue of corruption. According to the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International, countries in South Asia continue to score poorly, reflecting a deep-seated problem of graft and a lack of accountability among the political elite. This is often manifested in a culture of nepotism and cronyism, where political connections, rather than merit, determine success.

Economic Mismanagement, Growing Inequity 

The mismanagement of national economies, characterized by populist policies, unsustainable debt, and a failure to create inclusive growth, has also been a critical factor. The lavish lifestyles of political elites, often flaunted on social media, have stood in stark contrast to the daily struggles of ordinary citizens, widening the chasm between the rulers and the ruled.

In all three countries, the incumbent governments were forced to resign, paving the way for interim administrations. However, these new governments face immense pressure. They must not only address immediate economic crises but also undertake the complex task of constitutional and institutional reform to dismantle the structures that enabled misgovernance in the first place.

Reshaping South Asia's Political Landscape

Crafting a sustainable path forward requires a multi-pronged approach. First, these new governments must prioritize economic stabilization and inclusive growth. This involves implementing prudent fiscal policies, attracting investment, and creating an environment that fosters job creation. In Sri Lanka, for instance, the new administration has had to undertake painful but necessary reforms, including tax hikes and subsidy cuts, to secure an IMF bailout.

Second, there is an urgent need for comprehensive governance and anti-corruption reforms. This includes strengthening independent institutions like the judiciary and anti-corruption commissions, ensuring transparency in public finances, and enforcing strict laws against illicit enrichment. The interim government in Bangladesh has announced several reform commissions to this end. Third, it is crucial to foster a culture of political accountability and citizen engagement. This can be achieved by promoting a free media, protecting the rights to expression and assembly, and creating platforms for meaningful citizen participation in policy-making.

The movements in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal are a powerful reminder that South Asia's political landscape is being reshaped. A new generation, technologically savvy and politically aware, is unwilling to accept the status quo. The challenges are immense, but the opportunity for a more democratic, prosperous, and just future for the region is undeniable. The world is watching, and the youth of South Asia have shown that they will not be silenced.

(The author is a research scholar in the Department of International Relations, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka. Views expressed are personal. He can be reached at md.saiful.stu2018@juniv.edu.)