African youth are becoming more optimistic about the future, but that optimism is increasingly uneven across the continent. More than half, or 51%, now say they are optimistic or excited about the future of their country, a significant increase from 35% in 2024.
Burkina Faso and Rwanda record the highest levels of optimism at 91% each, while Ghana, Ethiopia and Zambia have recorded some of the biggest improvements, according to the latest 2026 African Youth Survey.
Yet beneath the broader improvement in sentiment is a more complicated picture. One-third of African youth remain negative about their country's future, although this has fallen from 44% in 2024. The proportion describing themselves as pessimistic has also risen to 12%, its highest level since the research began in 2020.
Economic pressures appear to be playing a major role. The rising cost of living has overtaken infectious diseases and political instability as the event with the greatest impact on young Africans over the past five years. Higher food and fuel prices, unemployment, corruption and limited economic opportunities continue to influence how young people view their countries.
In several African markets, dissatisfaction is particularly strong. Mozambique leads with 85% of youth saying their country is heading in the wrong direction.
