Gen Z revolt 2025 and the future of democratic renewal in Nepal

In September 2025, Nepal experienced a historic youth-led uprising that culminated in the dissolution of parliament and the establishment of an interim government. This article situates Nepal’s Gen Z revolt within broader global patterns of democratic fragility in the developing world. Drawing on experiences of democratic transition, elite capture, and electoral integrity, the paper argues that Nepal’s crisis reflects both the structural weaknesses of new democracies and the rising aspirations of digitally connected youth. The analysis exposes the risks of populism and authoritarian backsliding but also identifies pathways through which Nepal could revitalize its democratic institutions.