An Assessment of the Social, Political and Economic Factors Influencing Low Voter Turnout Among Young People in Nkomazi Local Municipality: A Systematic Literature Review

Youth voter turnout has become a growing concern in democratic societies, with South Africa experiencing declining electoral participation among young people despite constitutional guarantees of political rights. This study assesses the social, political and economic factors influencing low voter turnout among young people in Nkomazi Local Municipality, Mpumalanga Province, focusing on the structural and institutional conditions shaping youth participation in formal democratic processes. A systematic literature review methodology was employed, guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) framework and informed by Political Participation Theory. Relevant literature from academic databases and credible institutional sources was thematically analysed to identify recurring factors associated with youth electoral participation and disengagement. The findings indicate that low youth voter turnout is influenced by interconnected political, social and economic factors, including political distrust, corruption, weak governance, poor service delivery, political alienation, limited civic education, unemployment, poverty and socio-economic inequality. These conditions contribute to perceptions that democratic institutions are insufficiently responsive to young people's needs and aspirations, thereby weakening confidence in elections as mechanisms for achieving meaningful political and socio-economic change. The study concludes that youth electoral disengagement is not simply a manifestation of political apathy but reflects broader institutional and structural challenges. Addressing these challenges requires sustained civic and voter education, improved governance and accountability, effective service delivery, expanded youth employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, and more inclusive mechanisms for youth participation in democratic decision-making. The study contributes a locally grounded perspective to scholarship on youth political participation in South Africa.