Fact check: Are younger people in the UK becoming more ethnonationalist?

1. Summary of the results

The evidence regarding whether younger people in the UK are becoming more ethnonationalist presents a complex and contradictory picture.

Conflicting evidence on authoritarian tendencies: The UK Youth Poll 2025 found that 27% of young people somewhat or strongly agreed they'd prefer to live in a dictatorship, while 58% disagreed ^[1]. However, this finding is directly challenged by independent research that surveyed 200 Gen Z individuals and found not a single respondent preferred to live in a dictatorship ^[2].

Far-right extremism concerns: Law enforcement and experts have expressed growing concerns about teenagers being drawn into neo-Nazi groups and engaging in extremist behavior online, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic and cost-of-living crisis ^[3]. This trend appears to mirror broader European patterns, where recent European Parliament elections saw a surge in support for far-right parties among young voters ^[4].

Diverse youth responses: The evidence shows young people are not a monolith - while some are involved in radical right-wing groups, others are at the forefront of anti-racist protests and seeking to build a better future ^[5]. Social media plays a significant role in amplifying far-right ideologies among youth across Europe ^[4].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Systemic discrimination as a contributing factor: The original question omits crucial context about persistent discrimination faced by young ethnic minorities. Half of young people from ethnic minority backgrounds face prejudice and discrimination when entering the workforce ^[6], and there are ongoing racial disproportionalities in violence and the justice system affecting Black and minority ethnic children and young people ^[7].

Economic inequality context: While most ethnic minority groups have seen sharp progress in education, wages and wealth continue to lag behind ^[8]. This economic disparity, combined with factors like economic uncertainty and immigration concerns, may contribute to youth disillusionment with mainstream politics ^{[9] [4]}.

Media representation bias: There are significant concerns about how youth political views are being misrepresented in media coverage, with some arguing that claims about young people's authoritarian preferences are exaggerated and not supported by evidence ^[2].

Global vs. local trends: The question focuses solely on the UK but ignores that similar patterns are being observed across Europe and beyond, suggesting broader systemic factors at play rather than UK-specific developments ^{[9] [4]}.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

Oversimplification of complex data: The framing assumes a clear trend toward ethnonationalism when the evidence shows significant uncertainty and conflicting interpretations of polling data. The way data is analyzed and presented can significantly skew results ^[1].

Missing nuance about youth diversity: The question treats young people as a homogeneous group, ignoring that they represent a diverse group with varying opinions and concerns rather than a monolithic bloc moving toward ethnonationalism ^[2].

Lack of definitional clarity: The term "ethnonationalist" is used without clear definition, potentially conflating different phenomena such as support for strong leadership, far-right extremism, and ethnic nationalism.

Potential beneficiaries of this narrative: Media organizations and political commentators may benefit from promoting alarming narratives about youth radicalization, as these stories generate engagement and support certain political agendas. Additionally, established political parties might benefit from portraying young people as politically unstable to justify maintaining current power structures.