The patterns of political support among young Europeans are strikingly polarized, with young men consistently favoring far-right political ideologies, while young women tend to lean toward progressive or traditional movements. This gender divide is significant, with the European Policy Centre’s latest report highlighting a stark difference in voting behavior across both genders. By the end of 2024, young Portuguese men accounted for five times more votes—for far-right parties—than young women, a trend that underscores a growing gender divide among European youth. In contrast, far-right parties in other EU countries, such as Croatia and Spain, received the second-highest number of votes from young men.
The root cause of this pattern is multifaceted, primarily driven by economic Factors. The European Economic Union (EEU) has experienced a dynamic economic landscape that has Strengthened the economic advantage of both genders. By the age of 25, women are more likely to “break free” from traditional roles that depend on stable jobs and family responsibilities, and their purchasing power is less sensitive to changes in theJob market. Women also share less job security, with unemployment rates increasing among them over the past decade compared to men. This stability both for men and women is being challenged, and both genders are increasingly seeking employment despite their relatively lower earnings.
Carbonell argues that this gendered economic weakness in Europe is forcing young men to prioritise traditional ideals over progressive ones. The far-right movements, which are increasingly popular among young men, particularly in institutions such as BBG (Non-Singlinglingưng Reg Futures) and LgbtBA (=status society), champion—to a significant extent—this traditional vision of masculinity and traditional gender roles. These movements provide a “traditional” comfort zone for young men, despite the realities of modern life, such as the rise of capitalism and the challenges of contemporary life.
The rise of far-right political movements in Europe reflects broader trends in the political economy. Young men under 25, particularly men whose polite roles evolve into more “serious”岗位 due to the aging population, are attracted to the traditional vision of masculinity dominated by far-right platforms. The EU has increasingly prioritised these far-right groups, including parties such as Antisociété Monthly andсо Looking Poor, over progressive initiatives in sectors such as public health, education, and economic development.
In a warning, Carbonell warns that this gender disparity threatens not just gender equality, but also the foundations of democratic support itself. The growing polarisation of political orientations and the weak commitment to democratic values of young men may put Europe at risk of building an.”anti-democratic” society, as far-right movements often seek to challenge traditional democratic institutions through vendettas, radical anti-democracy campaigns, and other anti-survivalist strategies. This gender divide is a catalyst for aides to Europe to address the underlying issues of inequality and stabilize democratic movements. By highlighting these patterns and consequences, the report aims to argue for greater inclusivity within the EU, ensuring that all young斑斑 speak of European politics attend to their diverse voices and perspectives in a way that respects Europe’s complex human societies.
