Associational Membership as a Compensatory Resource: Political Participation Among Unemployed Youth in Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Youth unemployment has been widely recognized as a barrier to political participation, as joblessness limits access to social networks, civic skills, and information channels essential for engagement. This study investigates the role of associational membership as a compensatory resource that mitigates the negative effects of unemployment on political participation among youth in Lahore, Pakistan. Data were collected through a structured survey of 400 unemployed individuals aged 18–29 and analyzed using multiple regression and interaction analyses. Findings indicate that prolonged unemployment is associated with reduced political participation; however, youth involved in political, civic, or religious/social associations demonstrate higher engagement, even under adverse employment conditions. Education further amplifies this effect, highlighting the interaction between human and social capital. These results underscore the importance of promoting youth involvement in associations to foster resilience and active citizenship, particularly in contexts characterized by high unemployment and limited welfare support. The study contributes to the literature by extending the compensatory resource framework to a South Asian context and provides actionable insights for policymakers and civil society actors seeking to enhance youth political engagement.