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Forget About Youth In Occupy Movement –
The Demographics
It wasn’t just a bunch of university students. In fact, as we analysed the age groups, we found the average age to actually be 36. We also found that across the 5,000 profiles and commentaries we looked at, over 50% had a university education. We also found they weren’t poor either. Perhaps the “working poor” – yes. We estimate an average income of about $45,000CAD from USA, Canada and UK. We suspect this median would hold up in many other countries as well. Certainly there were those who are on the margin of society and the students or youth movement. But they do not represent the majority. Involved were doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs.
Nor was there racial or religious divide. All forms of faith and races were represented as were men and women. It’s Not A Union Driven Thing
That unions played a key part there is no doubt. Unions have and likely will continue to, play a key role. But unions, mentions of unions and references to union messages we estimate were less than 10% of the overall social media engagement. The Occupy movement is not owned or being driven by unions. The unions help in rallying and organising but it is being driven not by any one organisation. It is truly driven by the average citizen. Activist Groups & Agitators
While some may suspect underlying activist groups with more radical agendas, this doesn’t appear to be the case. We found little evidence of more fringe, radical activist groups. The organisations that support the Occupy Movement are more socially oriented, those that are necessary in a functioning democratic society.

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