The complete instrument is reproduced below. Open-response prompts have been condensed; multiple-choice options are listed as they appeared to respondents. Eighty-six questions across eleven sections.
Section 1 · Screening and Consent
Q1
Are you currently or have you previously served in any of the following roles? Select all that apply.
- Elected local/municipal official
- Elected regional/state/provincial official
- Elected national legislator/parliamentarian
- Appointed government official
- Political party official
- Candidate for elected office
- Staff member or adviser to an elected official
- Other
Q2
At what age did you first run for or enter public office/government service?
Q3
At what age did you first win elected office or receive an official government appointment?
Q4
What is your current status?
- Currently serving in elected office
- Currently serving in appointed office
- Former elected official
- Former appointed official
- Candidate seeking office again
- No longer active in formal politics
- Other
Q5
Do you consent to participate in this study?
Section 2 · Background and Political Entry
Q6
Country of current or most recent political service:
Q7
Region:
- Africa
- Asia
- Europe
- Latin America
- Middle East and North Africa
- North America
- Other
Q8
Gender identity:
- Woman
- Man
- Non-binary
- Prefer to self-describe
- Prefer not to say
Q10
What level of office or government position do/did you hold?
- Municipal/local
- Regional/state/provincial
- National
- Supranational/regional body
- Executive/government ministry
- Party leadership role
- Other
Q11
How did you first enter politics or public life? Select all that apply.
- Political party youth wing
- Student politics
- Civil society or NGO work
- Social movement or protest movement
- Family political background
- Community organizing
- Professional expertise
- Digital/social media activism
- Invitation from a party or senior leader
- Independent candidacy
- Other
Q12
Which factor was most important in helping you first win or enter office?
- Party nomination/support
- Personal networks
- Youth quota or reserved seat
- Social movement support
- Community reputation
- Family/political connections
- Personal financial resources
- Digital campaign visibility
- Civil society background
- Other
Q13
Before entering office, how prepared did you feel for the responsibilities of the role?
- Very prepared
- Somewhat prepared
- Neither prepared nor unprepared
- Somewhat unprepared
- Very unprepared
Q14
After entering office, did you receive any formal onboarding or training?
- Yes, extensive training
- Yes, limited training
- No formal training
- I had to seek training independently
- Not applicable
Section 3 · Political Retention and Career Continuity
Q15
Have you sought or do you plan to seek another term or higher office?
- Yes, I have already sought another term
- Yes, I plan to seek another term
- Yes, I plan to seek higher office
- No, I do not plan to continue in electoral politics
- Unsure
Q16
If you did not seek another term or are unsure, what are the main reasons? Select all that apply.
- Lack of party support
- Financial constraints
- Career or income instability
- Burnout
- Family responsibilities
- Safety or harassment concerns
- Limited influence in office
- Lack of staff or institutional support
- Disillusionment with politics
- Difficulty securing renomination
- Electoral defeat
- Better opportunities outside politics
- Other
Q17
How likely are you to still be active in formal politics five years from now?
- Very likely
- Somewhat likely
- Unsure
- Somewhat unlikely
- Very unlikely
Q18
Which best describes your political career so far?
- I entered office and have continued to progress
- I entered office but have struggled to sustain my career
- I entered office but was pushed out or blocked from continuing
- I entered office but chose to leave
- I entered politics but have not yet won elected office
- Other
Q19
In your view, is it easier for young people to win office than to remain in politics long-term?
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
Q20
Please explain your answer.
Section 4 · Barrier 1 — Party Displacement and Renomination Failure
Q21
Did a political party support your first election or appointment?
- Yes
- No
- I ran as an independent
- Not applicable
Q22
How important was party support to your initial political success?
- Essential
- Very important
- Somewhat important
- Not very important
- Not important at all
Q23
After you entered office, did your party continue to support your political career?
- Yes, strongly
- Yes, somewhat
- Support decreased over time
- No, support was withdrawn
- I was never supported by a party
- Not applicable
Q24
Have you ever faced difficulty securing renomination, reselection, or party backing for a future race?
- Yes
- No
- Not yet applicable
- Prefer not to say
Q25
If yes, what were the main reasons? Select all that apply.
- Party preferred an older or more senior candidate
- Factional politics
- Lack of money or fundraising capacity
- Internal party competition
- Gender, caste, ethnic, racial, religious, or class bias
- My views conflicted with party leadership
- I was seen as too independent
- I lacked patronage networks
- The seat was promised to someone else
- Other
Q26
To what extent do you agree with the following statement: “Young candidates are often used by parties for visibility, but not supported for long-term leadership.”
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
Q27
Did you feel that your youth identity was more valued during the campaign than during your time in office?
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
Q28
In your political system, how common is it for young elected officials to be replaced after one term by older or better-connected candidates?
- Very common
- Somewhat common
- Rare
- Very rare
- I don’t know
Q29
Have you personally experienced or observed party displacement of young elected officials?
- Yes, personally experienced
- Yes, observed it happen to others
- Both personally experienced and observed
- No
- Unsure
Q30
Please describe one example of party support, party abandonment, or party displacement that shaped your political career.
Section 5 · Barrier 2 — Financial and Career Instability
Q31
Before entering office, what was your primary source of income?
- Full-time employment
- Part-time employment
- Self-employment/business
- Family support
- Student support/scholarship
- Campaign or party stipend
- No stable income
- Other
Q32
During your time in office, was your compensation sufficient to support your basic living expenses?
- Yes, fully
- Mostly
- Somewhat
- No
- Not applicable
Q33
Did serving in office require you to reduce or leave paid employment?
- Yes, I left paid employment
- Yes, I reduced paid employment
- No
- Not applicable
Q34
Did financial pressure affect your ability to serve effectively?
- A great deal
- Somewhat
- A little
- Not at all
Q35
Did financial pressure affect your decision about whether to seek another term?
- Yes, significantly
- Yes, somewhat
- No
- Not applicable
- Unsure
Q36
Which financial challenges have you faced as a young political actor? Select all that apply.
- Campaign expenses
- Travel costs
- Housing or relocation costs
- Loss of income
- Lack of health insurance or benefits
- Supporting family while serving
- Fundraising expectations
- Debt or personal loans
- Pressure to self-fund campaigns
- Lack of paid staff
- Other
Q37
Did you have access to financial support from any of the following? Select all that apply.
- Political party
- Family
- Personal savings
- Donors
- Civil society organization
- Youth leadership program
- Government salary or stipend
- Employer flexibility
- None
- Other
Q38
To what extent do you agree: “Only young people with family wealth, patronage networks, or outside income can afford to remain in politics.”
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
Q39
Did you ever consider leaving politics for a more financially stable career?
- Yes, seriously
- Yes, occasionally
- No
- I have already left for this reason
Q40
What kind of financial support would most improve retention of young elected officials? Select up to three.
- Public campaign financing
- Better salaries or stipends
- Housing or travel allowances
- Health insurance/benefits
- Paid staff budgets
- Fellowship programs for young officials
- Party support for re-election campaigns
- Donor networks for young candidates
- Career transition support after office
- Other
Q41
Please describe how financial instability has affected your ability or willingness to continue in politics.
Section 6 · Barrier 3 — Institutional Under-Support and the Staffing Gap
Q42
During your time in office, did you have access to paid professional staff?
- Yes, full-time staff
- Yes, part-time staff
- Yes, shared staff
- No paid staff
- Only volunteers
- Not applicable
Q43
If you had staff, who provided them?
- Government/institutional office
- Political party
- Personal funds
- Donor-funded support
- Civil society or fellowship program
- Volunteers
- Other
Q44
Which types of support did you have access to? Select all that apply.
- Legislative/research support
- Communications/social media support
- Constituent services support
- Policy analysis
- Legal or procedural guidance
- Fundraising support
- Scheduling/logistics
- Speechwriting
- Mentorship
- None of the above
Q45
Which types of support did you need but did not have? Select all that apply.
- Legislative/research support
- Communications/social media support
- Constituent services support
- Policy analysis
- Legal or procedural guidance
- Fundraising support
- Scheduling/logistics
- Speechwriting
- Mentorship
- Security or harassment response
- Mental health support
- Other
Q46
How much did lack of staff or professional support limit your effectiveness in office?
- A great deal
- Somewhat
- A little
- Not at all
Q47
To what extent do you agree: “Young elected officials are expected to perform like senior politicians but without the staff, networks, or institutional infrastructure they need.”
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
Q48
Did you rely on unpaid volunteers, friends, or personal networks to perform official duties?
- Yes, frequently
- Yes, sometimes
- Rarely
- Never
Q49
Did the absence of staff or institutional support affect your decision about whether to continue in politics?
- Yes, significantly
- Yes, somewhat
- No
- Not applicable
Q50
Would access to a professional staffing ecosystem make you more likely to seek another term or higher office?
- Yes, definitely
- Yes, probably
- Unsure
- Probably not
- Definitely not
Q51
What would a useful staffing ecosystem for young elected officials include? Select up to five.
- Policy researchers
- Legislative assistants
- Communications staff
- Digital/social media staff
- Constituent service coordinators
- Legal/procedural advisers
- Fundraising advisers
- Campaign managers
- Mentors/former elected officials
- Mental health or burnout support
- Security/risk management support
- International peer network
- Other
Q52
Please describe a moment when lack of staff, training, or institutional support made your work harder.
Section 7 · Barrier 4 — Institutional Marginalization and Limited Power
Q53
After entering office, how much real influence did you feel you had over decisions?
- A great deal
- Some influence
- Limited influence
- Very little influence
- No influence
Q54
Were you given meaningful committee assignments, portfolios, or leadership responsibilities?
- Yes, significant responsibilities
- Yes, but limited responsibilities
- No, mostly symbolic responsibilities
- No formal responsibilities
- Not applicable
Q55
To what extent do you agree: “Young elected officials are often celebrated publicly but excluded from real decision-making.”
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
Q56
Have you ever felt tokenized because of your age?
- Frequently
- Sometimes
- Rarely
- Never
Q57
In your experience, which groups had the most influence over decision-making? Select all that apply.
- Senior party leaders
- Wealthy donors
- Older elected officials
- Bureaucrats/civil servants
- Business elites
- Family dynasties
- Religious/community leaders
- Military/security actors
- International actors
- Other
Q58
Did senior leaders mentor you or actively block your advancement?
- Mostly mentored me
- Some mentored me, some blocked me
- Mostly blocked or ignored me
- Neither
- Not applicable
Q59
How often were your ideas dismissed because of your age or perceived lack of experience?
- Very often
- Sometimes
- Rarely
- Never
Q60
Did institutional marginalization affect your motivation to continue in politics?
- Yes, significantly
- Yes, somewhat
- No
- Not applicable
Q61
Please describe one example where your age affected how seriously you were treated in office.
Section 8 · Barrier 5 — System Exit, Burnout, Risk, and Disillusionment
Q62
Have you experienced burnout as a result of political work or public office?
- Yes, severe burnout
- Yes, moderate burnout
- Mild burnout
- No
- Prefer not to say
Q63
Which factors contributed most to burnout or disillusionment? Select all that apply.
- Overwork
- Lack of staff
- Financial stress
- Party conflict
- Public criticism
- Online harassment
- Physical safety concerns
- Family pressure
- Slow pace of change
- Corruption or unethical practices
- Lack of real power
- Electoral pressure
- Media scrutiny
- Other
Q64
Have you experienced harassment, intimidation, or threats because of your political role?
- Yes, online
- Yes, offline/in person
- Yes, both online and offline
- No
- Prefer not to say
Q65
Did safety concerns affect your willingness to continue in politics?
- Yes, significantly
- Yes, somewhat
- No
- Not applicable
Q66
Did your political work negatively affect your personal life, family life, health, or career?
- Yes, significantly
- Yes, somewhat
- No
- Prefer not to say
Q67
Have you ever seriously considered leaving politics altogether?
- Yes, and I have left
- Yes, seriously considered it
- Yes, occasionally considered it
- No
Q68
If you have considered leaving politics, what was the main reason?
- Financial instability
- Party gatekeeping
- Lack of staff/support
- Burnout
- Safety concerns
- Lack of influence
- Family or personal reasons
- Better career opportunities
- Disillusionment with political institutions
- Other
Q69
To what extent do you agree: “The political system is better at recruiting young candidates than sustaining young leaders.”
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
Q70
What would have made you more likely to stay in politics long-term?
Section 9 · Comparative Political System Questions
Q71
In your country or political system, are young people encouraged to run for office?
- Yes, strongly
- Yes, somewhat
- Not really
- No
- Unsure
Q72
In your country or political system, are young elected officials supported after winning?
- Yes, strongly
- Yes, somewhat
- Not really
- No
- Unsure
Q73
Which of the following best describes your political system’s approach to young leaders?
- Encourages young people to run and supports them after they win
- Encourages young people to run but does not support them after they win
- Does not seriously encourage young people to run
- Uses young candidates mostly symbolically
- Other
Q74
Are there formal mechanisms to support young elected officials in your country? Select all that apply.
- Youth quotas
- Reserved seats
- Public campaign finance
- Training programs
- Mentorship programs
- Staff budgets
- Young legislators’ caucus/network
- Party youth wings
- International fellowships
- None
- Other
Q75
Which mechanism has been most useful in helping young people enter politics?
Q76
Which mechanism has been most useful in helping young people remain in politics?
Q77
What is the biggest gap between youth political entry and youth political retention in your country?
Section 10 · Ranking the Barriers
Q78
Please rank the following barriers from most important to least important in explaining why young elected officials leave politics after one term.
- Party displacement or renomination failure
- Financial and career instability
- Lack of staff or institutional support
- Limited power or marginalization in office
- Burnout, harassment, risk, or disillusionment
Q79
Which one barrier most affected your own political career?
- Party displacement or renomination failure
- Financial and career instability
- Lack of staff or institutional support
- Limited power or marginalization in office
- Burnout, harassment, risk, or disillusionment
- None of these
- Other
Q80
Which one reform would most improve retention of young elected officials?
- Stronger party commitments to renomination
- Public campaign finance
- Better salaries or benefits
- Guaranteed staffing support
- Mentorship and training
- Protection against harassment and violence
- Leadership roles for young officials
- Career transition support
- Other
Section 11 · Final Open-Ended Questions
Q81
What is one thing outsiders misunderstand about young elected officials after they win?
Q82
What was the hardest part of serving in office that you did not expect before winning?
Q83
What support did you receive that helped you stay in politics?
Q84
What support did you need but never received?
Q85
If you could redesign the political system to better retain young elected officials, what would you change first?
Q86
Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience as a young elected or appointed official?