Comparative Analysis of Youth Engagement and Interest in e-government in the EU

This study examines youth engagement with and interest in e-government services across six European countries with differing levels of e-government maturity, offering insights into their perceptions, motivations and barriers for adoption. The findings reveal that youth interest in e-government does not always align with the maturity of national e-government systems, as the practical aspects of e-government such as time saving and convenience emerged as universal motivators for engagement. Additionally, while youth express strong interest in digital democratic participation, unmet expectations and limited awareness of existing opportunities highlight the need for improvement. The study underscores the importance of designing accessible, transparent, and user-friendly services, with recommendations focusing on the need to raise awareness of participatory tools and fostering greater trust through transparent data practices.