An Investigation into the Relationship Between Civic Knowledge and Political Participation Among Young Adults

This study investigated the relationship between civic knowledge and political participation among young adults in Zambia, with a focus on selected urban and peri-urban areas in Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces. The study was guided by four objectives: to assess the level of civic knowledge among young adults, to examine patterns of political participation, to explore the relationship between civic knowledge and participation, and to identify barriers limiting youth engagement in political processes. Anchored in a pragmatist paradigm, the research adopted a mixed-methods approach using a descriptive survey design. A sample of 150 respondents aged 18–35 years was selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS (descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression), while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Findings revealed that 62% of respondents possessed moderate civic knowledge, 25% had high knowledge, and 13% had low knowledge. Although most participants understood basic governmental structures and voting rights, only 28% demonstrated deeper knowledge of local government functions and policy advocacy processes. Formal political participation was relatively low, with 35% reporting voting in the last election and less than 20% attending community meetings. However, 55% reported engaging in digital political activities such as online discussions and advocacy. Correlation analysis indicated a moderate positive relationship (r = 0.62, p < 0.01) between civic knowledge and political participation, suggesting that higher levels of civic knowledge are associated with increased engagement. Key barriers identified included socio-economic constraints (38%), institutional mistrust (32%), limited experiential civic learning (20%), and information gaps (10%). The study concludes that while civic knowledge significantly influences political participation, its impact is moderated by socio-economic and structural factors. The findings highlight the need for participatory and experiential civic education reforms, youth empowerment initiatives, and policies addressing unemployment and institutional trust to enhance meaningful political engagement among young adults in Zambia.