The generation that did not vote in 2022 — and what it plans to do in 2027

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The generation that did not vote
in 2022 — and what it plans to do in 2027

Sociopolitical profile of young Angolans between 18 and 35, collected in seven provinces. An analysis of abstention and voting intentions for 2027.

Autor: Carlos Pacatolo  ·  11 min read

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WHAT ANGOLANS THINK

YOUTH

The generation that did not vote
in 2022 — and what it plans to do in 2027

The abstention of 2022 was a choice, not an accident

The 2022 general elections saw the highest recorded abstention rate in Angola's multiparty history: an estimated 53% of registered voters did not cast a ballot. Afrobarometer data collected in 2022 shows that among young people between 18 and 35, the abstention rate was close to 60%. When asked why they did not vote, the most common answers were: "I don't believe my vote changes anything" (44%), "I don't trust any of the parties" (31%), and "the registration process was too complicated" (18%).

What 2027 may look like

Round 10 data, collected in 2024/2025, shows a more complex picture. Among young people who abstained in 2022, 58% say they intend to vote in 2027. The main driver of this shift is not increased trust in institutions — it is a growing sense of urgency: 63% say that "Angola needs to change direction" and that elections are the most legitimate mechanism for doing so.

Whether this stated intention translates into actual participation will depend critically on the quality of the electoral process and the degree to which new political actors can credibly represent the demand for change.