Youth Identity and Political Participation in Urban Cape Verde: A Comparative Study

Youth identity plays a significant role in political participation among urban populations in developing countries like Cape Verde. Qualitative interviews were conducted with young people aged 18-25, focusing on their perceptions of national and local identities, political knowledge, and participation behaviors in three major cities: Praia, Santiago, and Mindelo. Participants were recruited through snowball sampling methods to ensure representation across urban demographics. Young people in all surveyed cities reported a strong sense of Cape Verdean identity but varying levels of engagement with local governance structures, with about 30% indicating they participate actively in municipal elections. Findings suggest that while there is a unified national identity among urban youth, variations exist based on place-specific factors such as economic conditions and historical legacies. These insights contribute to understanding political participation dynamics within African contexts. Further research should explore the impact of socio-economic disparities on youth engagement patterns across different regions in Cape Verde and beyond. Youth Identity, Political Participation, Urban Cape Verde, Comparative Study