Frustration within the region at weak governance and limited accountability were clearly felt in 2025, with a surge in young people taking to the streets to demand action and accountability from their governments,” said Transparency International.
THE YOUNGER GENERATION, specifically GenZ, across Asia are mad over corruption, and their disgruntlement can undermine stability in the region if governments choose to look the other way or respond with force.
This was the warning of Willis, a WTW business listed at NASDAQ, and Transparency International in their latest reports on instability in Asia, and global corruption, respectively.
Wilis warned that civil unrest fueled by dissatisfaction among the youth is among the major factors that can cause continued instability in Asia, and governments not taking the appropriate action can worsen the situation.
“The Asia Pacific region will continue to face heightened crisis-related pressures in 2026, shaped by sustained civil unrest, driven by economic pressures, political grievances and rising youth activism,” said Will Miller, Head of Crisis Management for Asia Pacific at Willis.
Willis cited that the younger generation, most especially Gen Z, are taking to the streets in countries like Indonesia, Nepal and the Philippines, and leveraging digital platforms and social networks to mobilize demonstrations.
However, governments can respond with force against the protests that in turn can affect stability and even economic activity.
“Governments may respond with a combination of concessions and force, potentially escalating tensions and prolonging instability, which could impact domestic economic activity and foreign investment,” Wilis added.
LOW PH RANKING IN CORRUPTION INDEX
For its part, Transparency International said that frustration in Asia over corruption are causing younger people to stage protests and demand reforms from their governments.
“Frustration within the region at weak governance and limited accountability were clearly felt in 2025, with a surge in young people taking to the streets to demand action and accountability from their governments,” it added.
Transparency International Asia Pacific adviser Ilham Mohamed said governments must take action to address corruption and listen to the call of the younger generation.
“In many countries across Asia Pacific, good governance is being undermined by weak law enforcement, unaccountable leadership and opacity in political funding. With young people demanding better, leaders must act now to curb corruption and strengthen democracy. Meaningful reforms can rebuild public trust and show those in power are finally listening,” Mohamed said in a statement.
In its 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index, Transparency International said the Philippines had a score of 32, which is -1 lower compared to 2024, ranking it at 120th out of 182 countries.
The report said is a “climate change impacted” country and cited the flood control scandal that has seen billions of pesos spent on substandard and non-existent projects. This, in turn, resulted in the failure to deliver services and projects that would really benefit citizens.
“In climate-change impacted Philippines, citizens were outraged by allegations that a substantial amount of public funds were lost to a fake flood relief project,” it said.
“Uniting these movements was a sense that those in charge were abusing their power for private interests, while failing to deliver decent public services, a stable economy and fair opportunities for citizens,” the report added.
