Nepal’s Gen Z Protests: What Comes Next?

Andrea Thordarson is a fourth-year International Social and Political Studies student. She completed a year abroad in Tokyo and is currently in her final year, focusing on her dissertation analysing U.S. foreign policy and authoritarianism in the Middle East. (zclmhor@ucl.ac.uk)

Introduction

From anti-Vietnam War protests, to the Civil Rights movement, right down to the Arab Spring - protests have always been a young person’s game [1]. While recent Gen Z protests around the world are therefore not unprecedented, their reliance on social media sets them apart [2]. Since 2024, Bangladesh, Kenya, Mexico, Peru, Morocco, Madagascar, the Philippines, Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Serbia and Nepal have all experienced mass protests spearheaded by Gen Z. As a direct result, three of these experienced regime change [3]. This generation, the most highly educated in human history [4], has taken to the streets to fight political corruption and economic inequality, and shows no sign of stopping.

To unpack this phenomena I am going to take you through the latest in this chain: Nepal.

Political Context

Nepal ousted its monarchy in 2008 and since then has seen the Communist Party, the Maoists and the Nepalese Congress interchangeably hold the PM’s seat through a slew of coalitions in a political game of hot potato [5]. Throughout this, the political elite have remained “small, chummy and entitled” [6] while 1/5th of Nepal’s youth remain unemployed. Notably, the median age in Nepal is only 26, 4 years younger than the global median. This has led a large portion of the population to seek employment elsewhere, with a whopping third of Nepal’s GDP coming from overseas remittances [7]. Nepal’s domestic politics and economics are also inseparable from India and China, its two great power neighbours. As Nepal is landlocked it relies on both countries for trade, energy and, in the case of India, free movement of workers [8].

On September 8th Nepal’s Gen Z marched towards parliament calling for an end to corruption and political nepotism. By September 12th the Nepalese Parliament had been dissolved and Sushila Karki installed as interim Prime Minister, Nepal’s first female PM and a “corruption-busting former chief of justice” [9]. Within five days Gen Z had deposed a government, but where do they go from here?

The Gen Z Protest

This September #NepoBaby went viral as a trend on both Tik Tok and Reddit. It showed the political elite’s kids on lavish holidays and flaunting luxury cars, highlighting the growing inequality in Nepal [10]. On September 4th when a social media ban came into effect, Nepal’s youth snapped. The ban was aimed at companies which had not complied with new regulations, but Nepal’s Gen Z saw it as a ploy to stop the trend from circulating further. In response, on September 8th, non-partisan protests were organised in all 7 of Nepal’s provinces. The largest of these took place in Katmandu, the country’s capital, which quickly escalated as bikers joined the fray and as police opened fire on the crowds growing outside Parliament. The following day the protests grew even more violent as Gen Z stayed at home and the movement was overwhelmed by those crowing for revolution, not reform [7]. Parliament, the Singha Durbar government complex, police stations, politicians’ homes, and prisons were set ablaze or attacked.

By the end of the day ex-Prime Minister Oli had stepped down.

The military finally stepped in the following day, announcing a curfew and through an unprecedented Discord (an online messaging platform) election, again fronted by the younger generations, Sushila Karki was nominated as interim Prime Minister [10].

In the end the unrest led to more than 75 dead, at least 34 of which were protesters shot by the police, and over 2000 injured [11,12]. Additionally Reuters totals $586 million in losses due to the looting and arson [13]. Moreover more than 13,000 prisoners escaped, many of which were serving for violent crimes [14].

What is Happening Now?

Snap elections have been called for the 5th of March 2026, with several new parties throwing their hat in the ring and 84,000 new voters joining the electoral roll [5]. Despite the mounting economic pressure of the protests, the cost of the damage was less than predicted and October even saw a 3.3% spike in tourism [15]. But a cloud still brews over the upcoming elections. The established parties, the ones I previously accused of playing hot potato, are contesting the elections and petitioning the Supreme Court to reinstate the old parliament, condemning the interim government as unconstitutional. Most of the prisoners remain at large and fears of police retaliation loom.

On an international scale, Nepal sits at a tricky junction. India relies on Nepal as a buffer-zone between itself and China. Nepal in turn relies on India as a trade partner, with annual bilateral trade estimated at $8.5 billion [16]. China on the other hand sees Nepal as an investment opportunity. It has expanded its Belt and Road Initiative with projects such as a trainline connecting Tibet and Nepal aiming to integrate China into South Asian markets. With security and infrastructure projects on the line, both India and China have a lot to lose if Nepal becomes unstable. Regarding the protests therefore, both countries have expressed their support for the interim government. China is taking a notably hands-off approach, emphasising stability and dialogue in the coming months [8,17]. However, the new interim government does not have the political legitimacy or institutional strength required to handle Nepal’s foreign policy. Karki must therefore attempt to maintain stability between the powers until the new government is elected - another tinder box waiting to be lit.

It’s too early to say what will come of the protests. There is hope in the new parties, a new surge of voters and the youth politically engaged. Yet the old men at the helm of Nepali politics don’t show any intentions of letting their power slip, and meaningful change is hard to come by.

But there is still a chance this is the start of something new.

What Comes Next?

I began this article by arguing that the recent Gen Z protests present something novel and yet I gave you a well-worn story. Hopeful protests, regrettable violence, government change but ultimately a politically and economically difficult climate and the fading hope of genuine change. Think tanks cry “new political world” and shake their fists over the growing importance of social media and yet the hope of reform, as in the Arab Spring, dwindles.

What is unique is the scale and the reach of these protests. Gen Z is uniquely educated and uniquely connected in a global economic system that no longer promises upward mobility. Many feel that the implicit social contract between them and their state has been broken and as such are calling for change [4]. They face, as all protesters do, problems of longevity. If you depose a government, how can you ensure the next one does not fall into the same pitfalls?

This new surge of protests share a few key similarities. The Atlantic Council studied seven of the countries that have been rocked by these protests and found that 6/7 of them “score well above their respective regional averages in the political rights component of the freedom index" as well as scoring lower than the regional average in at least “one key metric of prosperity”[2]. The same study highlights how these protests are interlinked: with Madagascar drawing inspiration from Nepal who in turn drew inspiration from Indonesia. It shows that those who have the means to protest are making the most of it.

Gen Z have also been weaving in pop-culture. In the Philippines, Indonesia and Nepal protesters flew the ‘One-Piece flag’ as a symbol of anti-oppression [18]. In both Thailand and Myanmar protesters performed the hunger games salute. As pop-culture has become globalised so has activism and it seems there is a new sense of solidarity across the globe in the face of oppression and corruption.

Conclusion

The search for long-term change is the politicians' version of the search for the fountain of youth. It’s an endemic problem of politics that even the best-meaning policy or reform will always fall short of expectations. The world is confronted with a number of critical issues today. Poverty, terrorism, conflict - you name it we have it. Yet the world is healthier, more peaceful and better educated than at any other point in history [19,20].

Politics isn’t the same as trying to invent the light bulb. When a policy or protest fails it carries real human consequences and ‘one step-forwards, three steps back’ is far graver in politics than invention. In an ideal world, politicians would have the wit, courage and capabilities to enact positive change without all the missteps along the way.

But inequality and corruption isn’t going to come to an end without pressure. It’s almost certain that in our lifetimes it won't come to an end at all. However, if Nepal succeeds in reducing corruption, expanding employment opportunities for its young population, and sustaining political renewal, it may provide a model – however imperfect – for others to follow. What is therefore unique about these protests is their ability to inspire and impact other causes around the globe.

This assessment may sound optimistic, even a little naïve. But these movements merit attention not because they promise transformation, but because they show exactly where both systems of governing, and systems of protest are failing. Watching what comes next – whether in Nepal or in whatever country that follows – may offer those who are inspiring change globally, a better shot at succeeding.

Works Cited

[1] BBC Worklife (2022) Gen Z: How young people are changing activism. Available at:https://www.bbc.co.uk/worklife/article/20220803-gen-z-how-young-people-are-changing-activism (Accessed: 19 December 2025).

[2] Atlantic Council (2025) Gen Z protests have spread to seven countries — what do they all have in common? Available at: https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/gen-z-protests-have-spread-to-seven-countries-what-do-they-all-have-in-common/ (Accessed: 27 December 2025).

[3] Statista (2025) Countries where large-scale youth-led protests have taken place. Available at: https://www.statista.com/chart/35230/countries-where-large-scale-youth-led-protests-have-taken-plac/ (Accessed: 18 December 2025).

[4] Britannica (n.d.) Generation Z protests. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/event/Generation-Z-protests(Accessed: 27 December 2025).

[5] New York Times (2025) Nepal’s Gen Z revolution. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/world/asia/nepal-gen-z-revolution.html (Accessed: 18 December 2025).

[6] Economist (2025) Nepal’s youth toppled the government — now they want to remake it. Available at: https://www.economist.com/asia/2025/11/27/nepals-youth-toppled-the-government-now-they-want-to-remake-it(Accessed: 27 December 2025).

[7] Economist (2025) Huge demonstrations bring down Nepal’s government. Available at: https://www.economist.com/asia/2025/09/09/huge-demonstrations-bring-down-nepals-government (Accessed: 27 December 2025).

[8] Aguiar, P. (2025) Nepal Between Giants: India–China Rivalry in the Himalayas, Geopolitical Monitor, 3 October. Available at: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/nepal-between-giants-india-china-rivalry-in-the-himalayas/(Accessed: 1 January 2026).

[9] New York Times (2025) Nepal’s Gen Z revolution. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/world/asia/nepal-gen-z-revolution.html (Accessed: 27 December 2025).

[10] Centre for Strategic and Peace Studies Pakistan (CSPPS) (2025) When peace turns chaos: Aftermath of Gen Z protests in Nepal. Available at: https://www.cspps.org/news/when-peace-turns-chaos-aftermath-gen-z-protests-nepal (Accessed: 27 December 2025).

[11] Amnesty International (2025) Nepal: Government must ensure accountability for unlawful killings and use of force during Gen-Z protests. Available at: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/12/nepal-government-must-ensure-accountability-for-unlawful-killings-and-use-of-force-during-gen-z-protests (Accessed: 27 December 2025).

[12] Nepal, G., Shrestha, T.M. and Lamsal, S. (2025) Police brutality against children and hospitals in Nepal. The Lancet, 406(10512), pp. 1559–1560. Available at: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)01873-2/fulltext (Accessed: 27 December 2025).

[13] Reuters (2025) Nepal says economy suffered $586 million hit from Gen Z protests. Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/nepal-says-economy-suffered-586-million-hit-gen-z-protests-2025-12-12/(Accessed: 27 December 2025).

[14] Post National Bureau (2025) Escaped prisoners are committing new crimes in districts. The Kathmandu Post, 10 October. Available at: https://kathmandupost.com/national/2025/10/10/escaped-prisoners-are-committing-new-crimes-in-districts (Accessed: 27 December 2025).

[15] Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS), National University of Singapore (2025) Nepal’s quest for stability after the youth protest. Available at: https://www.isas.nus.edu.sg/papers/nepals-quest-for-stability-after-the-youth-protest/(Accessed: 27 December 2025).

[16] Afzal, S. (2025) Nepal’s generational revolt catches China and India in the middle, Lowy Institute – The Interpreter, 18 September. Available at: https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/nepal-s-generational-revolt-catches-china-india-middle (Accessed: 30 December 2025).

[17] Roche, E. (2025) India extends support to interim government’s efforts to stabilize Nepal, The Diplomat, 22 September. Available at: https://thediplomat.com/2025/09/india-extends-support-to-interim-governments-efforts-to-stabilize-nepal/(Accessed: 2 January 2026).

[18] Ratcliffe, R. (2025) ‘A symbol of liberation’: how the One Piece manga flag became the symbol of Asia’s Gen-Z protest movement. The Guardian, 24 September. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/24/how-one-piece-manga-flag-became-symbol-asia-gen-z-protest-movement-liberation (Accessed: 27 December 2025).

[19] Probst, J. (2019) Seven charts that show the world is actually becoming a better place. The Conversation, 4 January. Available at: https://theconversation.com/seven-charts-that-show-the-world-is-actually-becoming-a-better-place-109307 (Accessed: 27 December 2025).

[20] Ritchie, H., Samborska, V., Ahuja, N., Ortiz‑Ospina, E. and Roser, M. (2023) Global Education. Our World in Data. Available at: https://ourworldindata.org/global-education (Accessed: 27 December 2025).