A growing gender divide among young adults in ideological left–right self-placement? Evidence from 32 European countries

Growing gender differences in political ideology among young people are a major concern because of their potential long-term societal implications. This study examines ideological shifts between young men and women in 32 European countries from 1990 to 2023. Using data from several Eurobarometer surveys, we analyze the left–right self-placement of over 466,089 individuals aged 20–29. We find heterogeneity in the extent and development of ideological gender gaps. In 14 countries, the ideological positions of women and men are almost equal. In seven countries there is a very modern gender gap in political ideology, with women being more left-wing than men, which has remained roughly stable since the 1990s. Finally, in 11 countries, a modern gender gap has emerged or widened over time. The mainly small to moderate gender gaps with important differences between countries contradict the narrative of a strong and uniform shift towards a modern gender gap in political ideology.