Do Youth Trust Political Institutions? Evidence From Denmark, Norway, and Morocco explores how young people perceive political institutions, trust, and opportunities for engagement across three distinct political contexts. The study adopts a cross-cultural comparative approach, drawing on qualitative survey data from youth in Denmark and Norway, alongside a large national youth dataset from Morocco.
By examining four key dimensions—institutional trust, perceived political influence, responsiveness and communication of political actors, and preferred channels of participation—the paper highlights significant contrasts between high-trust Scandinavian systems and the Moroccan context. While youth in Denmark and Norway generally report higher confidence in political institutions and clearer pathways for participation, Moroccan youth express lower levels of trust and limited perceptions of influence, despite strong interest in civic engagement.
The findings offer valuable insights into how elements of inclusive governance, transparency, and institutional responsiveness can shape youth trust. The study concludes with policy-relevant reflections on how lessons from high-trust political environments may inform strategies to strengthen youth political participation and institutional legitimacy in Morocco.
