Yes.
You can read in this thread where you must have both activity and merit if you want to rank up
Merit & new rank requirements.
It doesn't like in the past before 2018 where you can rank up if you only have activity, merit is a way to prevent from spammers and low quality post users. So if you don't get any merit, it mean you're a shitposter.
Your last words are harsh on newbies, it's not a crime that we're new to the forum or haven't made merit convincing posts. Definitely with time merits will come and we'll move up the ladder. All the same no hard feelings.