According to a study, one-third (34%) of individuals feel the voting age should be reduced to 16.
In a survey of 2,000 adults, 42 percent believe that if younger people’s views were heard at a younger age, genuine change could occur.
Half (49%) of those aged 25-34 believe 16-year-olds should be able to vote, compared to 17% of those over 65.
While 49 percent of all respondents thought 16-year-olds should not be allowed to vote, 64 percent said they would have loved to have been able to vote at that age.
Of those who don’t believe 16-year-olds should be given the vote, seven in 10 felt this way due to their lack of life experience.
The research was commissioned by The Body Shop, which alongside the British Youth Council, is calling upon the government to lower the voting age to 16 across the UK, with a petition galvanising support.
The brand also created a tool to explore who you might vote for in the next general election based on your thoughts on a wide range of topics.
Maddie Smith, managing director for the UK and Ireland at The Body Shop, said: “Young people today are more engaged with politics than ever, and their representation within politics impacts each and every one of us.
“Critics often feel that 16 and 17 is too young but these age groups have already demonstrated their high levels of understanding, bright ideas and spirited commitment to causes that are important to them.
“Not to mention the fact that many of the decisions made today, that they don’t currently have a say in, will have a direct impact on their future.
“If we want to ensure long-term enfranchisement and abolish the voting inequality that exists for young voters across the UK, then we need to lower the voting age to 16, opening up our democratic system to allow young people to enjoy their full rights as part of the electorate.”