4.1 Young People Are Less Likely to Vote

Young people are less likely to vote...
In the 2024 UK General Election, turnout among 18–24-year-olds was just around 37%. That’s a significant drop from the 2019 general election, when youth turnout was nearly 10% higher. In contrast, 73% of people aged 65 and over turned out to vote in 2024, dropping just 1% from the 2019 general election. 

This matters, because when younger age groups are under-represented at the ballot box, there’s a real risk their concerns may be overlooked by decision-makers. Political parties often focus their attention, policies and campaign efforts on groups they believe are most likely to vote. Encouraging young people to participate helps ensure their voices are part of that conversation.