They can be a creative force, a dynamic source of innovations, and they have undoubtedly, throughout history, participated, contributed, and even catalyzed important changes in political systems, power-sharing dynamics and economic opportunities.

HIGHLIGHTS

• In the area of political participation, in a third of countries, eligibility for national parliament starts at 25 years old or older.

• 1.65% of parliamentarians around the world are in their 20s and 11.87 % are in their 30s.

• The average age of parliamentarians globally is 53 (50 years old for women parliamentarians).

• Young people between the ages of 15 and 25 constitute a fifth of the world’s population.