Despite growing scholarly interest in youth leadership, significant gaps remain in understanding its role as a core dimension of civic participation and its contribution to Sustainable Development Goals 10 and 16. This study aims to analyze research trends on youth leadership and civic participation from 1994 to 2024. A bibliometric analysis was conducted using 63 documents indexed in Scopus and Web of Science, which were processed through RStudio, Bibliometrix, and Biblioshiny. The findings reveal a sustained increase in scientific production, with an annual growth rate of 6.15%, although international collaboration remains limited. The analysis also identifies key thematic clusters related to transformational leadership, community participation, youth resilience, civic education, digital activism, and democratic governance. Furthermore, the evidence indicates that recent scholarship increasingly recognizes young people as strategic actors in reducing inequalities, strengthening inclusive institutions, and advancing participatory processes across diverse social contexts. The study concludes that youth leadership is an emerging and consolidating field of research, with growing relevance for civic engagement, democratic innovation, and sustainable development. Nevertheless, further comparative studies, interdisciplinary perspectives, and stronger international cooperation are required to deepen understanding of the actual impact of youth leadership on social transformation and public participation, particularly in Latin America and other comparable contemporary institutional contexts.