Beyond the problems of incorporating youth voices into decision-making, young people face complex obstacles when attempting to formally enter politics. The calculation of costs and benefits often leads young people to abandon their plans to run for office or to embark on a career in public administration. Unlike the first category , the second Menu category focuses on increasing the number and impact of youth in government. Our own research estimates that only 10% of parliamentarians (and equivalent legislators) worldwide are 35 years old or younger, while the Inter-Parliamentary Union estimates that only 2.8% of legislators are 30 years old or younger. However, young people continue to participate in public affairs, through protest movements and social networks. They are no less inclined to run for public office, but they face increasing obstacles to doing so.
