Recent research has shown that young women are playing a vital role in determining the political direction of their countries, especially across Europe. As the far-right gains traction across the continent, female voters prioritize climate action and social welfare, potentially transforming political debates. With this demographic shift, political parties must heed the values and concerns of the rising tide of young women. They are still disproportionately represented in electoral participation, and that needs to be corrected.
Indeed, research shows that young women are more likely than young men to develop left-leaning views. The younger the voters, the bigger the gender gap. This trend is mostly driven by young women’s strong leftward tilt, since they’re more committed than young men to combating climate change and building a better welfare state. On the other side, young men are represented as vulnerable to radicalization into far-right ideologies, which have experienced a surge in appeal among all age cohorts.
A study conducted by political scientist Kai Arzheimer identified the typical far-right voter in Europe as “male, young(ish), of moderate educational achievement and concerned about immigrants and immigration.” This portrayal points to the outsized role of young men in the growing global trend toward far-right politics. Perhaps unsurprisingly, younger voters, aged 16-29, are more resistant to these parties. In comparison, there is higher support among the aging demographics.
Young women—despite their progressive leanings—face challenges to voter turnout. They vote at a significantly lower rate than young men, diluting their potential electoral power. Political analysts emphasize that mobilizing young women to participate more actively in the electoral process could significantly alter the political landscape. Attracting and engaging this important demographic is critical. They put the climate crisis and social welfare above divisive wedge issues like immigration.
Focusing on the values and concerns of female voters could redirect political discussions away from demonizing immigrants and towards constructive solutions for climate action. By prioritizing these issues, political parties may not only attract more young women but reshape their platforms to resonate with broader progressive ideals.
The political reality today is that we are seeing a real turnaround in the mood of the public, with far-right parties on the rise across Europe. The narrative surrounding youth voting has often been oversimplified, portraying young men as the primary supporters of far-right ideologies. In practice, this means that young women are a critical progressive constituency that we can’t afford to ignore.
To engage young women most effectively, it takes targeting their concerns directly and giving them a reason to vote. As we know from history, taking their support for granted just because they’re women will not do the trick. This is why political parties need to make these young women feel seen through inclusive campaigning that reflects their values and encourages them to turn out.