Dhaka: Only 1.9 percent of parliamentarians across the world are below 30 years of age as youths are less interested in politics due to the dirty image of politicians they portrayed before the young generation, says a recent study of the Inter-parliamentary Union (IPU).

The newly-elected President of IPU Young Parliamentarians Forum Osoru Maurine came up with the findings of the study on Tuesday at a media briefing at the IPU media centre at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital.

“Politics is absolutely something interesting, but youths are less interested in it. Why our youths aren’t interested that is a question. The politicians exposed such an image before them that discourages them to engage in politics,” Osoru Maurine, also the youngest MP of Ugandan parliament, said.

The study titled ‘Youth Participation in National Parliaments 2016’ was conducted on some 45,000 MPs of 128 parliaments across the world. It also shows nearly 33 percent of the single and lower houses and more than 80 percent of the upper houses of parliaments have no MP below 30.

According to the study, 14.2 percent of the parliamentarians are below 40, while 26 percent of them below 45.

Citing the poor scenario of youth participation in politics, Osoru, aged 26, said the study is an eye-opener for the entire world. This picture is very worrying for democracy.

“Youths aren’t interested in politics as they think politics is dirty. We, the politicians, make pledges, but we don’t fulfill those. We tell lies that discourage youths. They have little trust in us. Politics is not beneficial for them. So, they prefer to engage in day-to-day business.”

The study shows some 57 percent potential voters, aged between 20 and 44. But most of them are reluctant about exercising their franchise due to mistrust in politics.

Osoru  hoped that the IPU will come up with suggestions so that politicians restore their positive image before the youths. “The politicians should talk in a way which would build their positive image. They should make pledges which they would be able to fulfill.”

She also suggested that the countries having less participation of youths in politics to keep quota for young MPs.

Osoru said it is essential to restore young people’s trust, engagement and belongingness to politics to improve the inclusiveness in policymaking and legislation.

The study suggests parliaments and political parties to adopt measures which clear the way for the young candidates and young MPs into office.

Portraying a global picture, the survey says the highest 12.3 percent young lawmakers, aged below 30, represent the Swedish parliament while 10.9 percent in Ecuador, 10.5 percent in Finland and 10.1 percent in Norway.

The study shows that 41.3 percent youths, aged under 40, represent the Denmark parliament, while 39.3 percent in Andorra and 38 percent in Ecuador.

It says 65.9 percent, aged below 45, represent the Oman parliament while 63.6 percent that of Ethiopia and 60.7 percent of Andorra.

Bangladesh Parliament is hosting the five-day IPU assembly since Saturday with the participation of more than 1300 parliamentarians from 131 IPU member states.