What Drives Young Adults’ Populist Attitudes? An Analysis of the Predictors of Populism in Portugal

Portugal is a peculiar Southern European country regarding populism. Long considered immune to populist surges, it has recently become a fertile electoral ground for far-right populism, which garners strong support among younger generations. This article, based on a survey with 1047 people (aged 18–30) from all regions of Portugal, focuses on this under-researched geographic context and demographic group, aiming to understand the drivers of populist inclinations among Portuguese young adults. Our results show that, although Portuguese young adults have been heavily affected by socioeconomic challenges that may pave the way for populist attitudes, these are found to be primarily related to political dimensions rather than socioeconomic status. Moreover, negative emotions about the political situation, use of new media, and living in peripheral regions predict populist attitudes. We discuss these findings in light of the bleak social panorama faced by Portuguese young adults, the regional disparities within the country, and the role of new media in shaping contemporary relationships with politics.