These young leaders, often viewed as beacons of change and modernity, have assumed the role of Presidents, Heads of State and/or monarchs in their respective countries, bringing fresh perspectives and youthful vigor to the political arena.

Below is a list of young presidents, their age and countries.

Emmanuel Macron (France)

Born December 21, 1977 in Amiens, France, Emmanuel Jean-Michel Macron is a French politician serving as the president of France. Macron, who once served as the Minister of Economics, Industry and Digital Affairs became president in 2017. He was reelected for a second term as President in 2022.

Volodymyr Zelensky (Ukraine)

A former comedian and actor, Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelensky, is the president of Ukraine. Born on January 25, 1978, Zelensky assumed office in 2019. He also has a law degree from the Kyiv National Economic University.

Vjosa Osmani (Kosovo)

Vjosa Osmani, a woman serving as the 5th President of Kosovo was born on the 17th of May, 1982. Being elected President at age 38, Osmani was once a political activist who studied law at the University of Pristina and the University Of Pittsburgh School of Law. Upon her election in April 2021, Osmani became the second woman to assume that position as well as the first person to serve as both acting and president of Kosovo.

Irakli Garibashvili (Georgia)

Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili of Georgia, born 28 June 1982 is a former business executive who assumed office in February 2021. Aged 31 at the time of assuming office, Garibashvili was the youngest person to hold the position of Prime Ministerial Office.

Nayib Bukele (El Salvador)

President Nayib Bukele, a Salvadoran politician and businessman, assumed office on June 1 2019. Born on 24th July 1981, Bukele became the 43rd president of El Salvador after winning the election with 53 per cent of the votes.

Xavier Espot Zamora (Andorra)

Former justice minister Xavier Espot Zamora became the head of government of the small territory between France and Spain in May 2019. Born in October 1979, Zamora, who assumed office at the age of 39, has a degree and master’s degree in Law from the Faculty of the Superior School of Business Administration and Management.

Leo Varadkar (Ireland)

Leo Varadkar, became the Taoiseach – a title for head of government or prime Minister – at the age of 43. Born in 1979, Varadkar assumed office in December 2022.

Kim Jong Un (North Korea)

Supreme leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Un, assumed office in December 2011 after his father, Kim Jong II, passed. He holds the titles of General Secretary of theWorkers’ Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs. Kim, who rules North Korea as a totalitarian state, was born in January 1982 or 1983.

Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno (Chad)

Serving as the Transitional President of Chad and born in April 1984, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, assumed office in 2021 after his father, Chadian President Idriss Deby died in action.

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (Qatar)

Becoming the Emir of Qatar in 2013, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has reigned for 10 years. Born in 1980, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who is the fourth son of Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani became heir apparent in August 2003 after his older brother Sheikh Jassim renounced his claim on the throne.

Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (Bhutan)

Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck rose to the throne in 2006 at the age 26 and is still reigning the kingdom of Bhutan in 2023. Born in February 1980 and in a public coronation ceremony, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck was crowned in 2008 a year that marked 100 years of monarchy in Bhutan.

A notable young leader is the leader of the military junta in Mali, Assimi Goita, 41, who has been serving as the interim President of Mali since May 2021. (The Nation)

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