Understanding Gen Z: Barriers to Civic Engagement

This report focuses on civic engagement among Gen Z. We found that Gen Z shows high cynicism and low confidence in American institutions but trusts their teachers most. Unlike older generations, they prefer community-related civic activities over political ones and desire more civic involvement. However, they face barriers such as a lack of information and feeling their concerns are not shared among other generations. With 41 million eligible Gen Z voters in 2024, understanding and engaging this diverse generation is crucial for driving civic engagement and supporting democracy.