Youth in Mongolia

Mongolia has a young population: the median age is under 30, and around three in ten Mongolians are children under 15. Young Mongolians are highly connected, often multilingual and concentrated in Ulaanbaatar, where they drive the city's music, fashion, food and tech scenes. At the same time, many keep close ties to the countryside, spending summers with herding relatives and taking pride in Naadam, the horse and traditional dress.

A young, urban generation

Since the transition to democracy and a market economy in the early 1990s, Mongolia's young people have grown up with very different opportunities from their parents. Most young adults live in Ulaanbaatar or a provincial centre, drawn by universities and jobs. In the capital you will see them in cafés, coworking spaces, shopping centres and on Sükhbaatar Square, mostly using smartphones for everything from social media to paying for a bus ride with a QR code.

Education and studying abroad

Schooling follows a 12-year system, and literacy is high. University enrolment is also high, and women make up a majority of university students and graduates. The National University of Mongolia, founded in 1942, is the oldest university, and Ulaanbaatar has many public and private institutions. Large numbers of young Mongolians study or work abroad, especially in South Korea, Japan, China, Australia, Europe and North America. English is the most widely studied foreign language, and Korean, Japanese, Chinese and Russian are also common.

Music and urban culture

Mongolian hip-hop has been one of the country's most popular genres since the 1990s, with rappers writing in Mongolian about city life, family and social issues. Pop, rock and electronic music are everywhere, and many artists blend modern styles with throat singing (khöömii) and the morin khuur. The folk-metal band The HU, formed in Ulaanbaatar in 2016, brought this fusion to international audiences. Young designers reinterpret the deel and use local cashmere and felt, and South Korean pop culture is a strong influence on fashion and entertainment.

Technology, start-ups and e-sports

Mobile internet coverage is good in towns and along main roads, and young Mongolians are quick adopters of new apps, online banking and mobile payment. Ulaanbaatar has a growing start-up scene in areas such as fintech, delivery and e-commerce. E-sports are hugely popular, and Mongolian Counter-Strike teams have competed at the top international level, drawing big audiences at home.

Between the city and the steppe

Despite rapid urbanisation, the countryside remains part of young people's lives. Many children spend summer holidays with grandparents in the country, ride horses in local naadams and learn to milk animals. Challenges are real: winter air pollution in Ulaanbaatar, traffic, housing costs and the search for good jobs push many to work abroad for a time.

Tips for travellers meeting young Mongolians

• Young people in Ulaanbaatar often speak good English and are happy to help with directions or recommendations.
• Live-music bars, cultural centres and concerts are good places to experience the music scene; check current listings, as venues change often.
• Ask before taking photos of people, including at concerts and in cafés.
• Showing interest in Mongolian music, sport or language is an easy way to start a conversation.