And a survey of 600 individuals found that Gen Z is the most unhappy generation at work. Just 59% of Gen Z workers are happy, compared to 69% for Baby Boomers and 76% for Millennials and Gen X. In addition, 9% of Baby Boomers are unhappy at work, compared to 26% of Gen Z and 13% for Gen X and Millennials.
Only 59% of the 600 respondents to a recent Cangrade study (titled Happiness at Work 2023) said they were happy at work. That's the lowest compared to the preceding generations (Millennials, X and Baby Boomers – 76%, 76%, 69%, respectively). 26% – 1 in 4 – said they were unhappy at work.
Here's what companies can do about it. In a survey by the Alexandria, Virginia-based nonprofit, 47% of Gen Z workers reported experiencing stress related to their job at least once per week, compared to 27% of Baby Boomers.
Gen Z also faces an unprecedented behavioral health crisis: US Gen Zers surveyed by McKinsey report the least positive outlook and the highest prevalence of mental illness of any generation, and European respondents report struggling with self-stigma.
MIAMI - A growing number of Millennial and Gen-Z women are choosing not to become parents. A 2021 Pew Research Center Survey shows 44 percent of non-parents ages 18 to 49 say it is "not too likely" or "not likely at all" that they will have children someday, up 7 percentage points from 2018's survey.
However, as Brunson mentioned, the report found marriage is less of a priority for this generation than any that came before. For the 18 to 25-year-olds who were surveyed, getting married drops to tenth on the priority list when thinking about their short to long-term goals.
Gen Z and the Loneliness Epidemic
Business Insider's research further reveals that 60% of Gen Z has felt the grip of loneliness within the past year. Additionally, an alarming 30% of young people confess they are unsure how to make new friends (Vice, 2022), heightening their feelings of isolation.
Gen Z (42%) is about twice as likely as Americans over 25 (23%) to battle depression and feelings of hopelessness.
According to Finder's Consumer Confidence Index, Gen Z saves an average of $857 per month, while millennials save $294. Gen Z also has an average of $10,062 in savings compared to $7,165 for millennials.
Researchers say younger generations deal with an ongoing wealth inequality. They see senior executives get bonuses and higher wages, while average worker wages remain stagnant. In a 2023 Deloitte survey, nearly half of Gen Zs and four in 10 millennials said they feel stressed all or most of the time.
Social media and technology use are major contributors to Gen Z depression. While technology has many advantages, it can also be a source of anxiety and stress. Excessive social media use has been linked to feelings of loneliness, low self-esteem, and depression, according to research.
Gen Z workers, aged between 18 and 26, make up about 35% of those wanting to quit, while millennials (aged 27 to 42) are another 31%. The common reason cited by 44% of the workers considering quitting their jobs is overwork.
The average age of onset for major depressive disorder is between 35 and 40 years of age. Onset in early adulthood may be linked with more depressive episodes, a longer duration of illness, and therefore a more difficult clinical course.
Gen Zers are drinking less than young people in past generations: about 20 percent less alcohol per capita than millennials did at their age, according to a report from Berenberg Research. And many are forgoing booze entirely.
Gen Z workers are well-versed in technology, but not fluent in softer skills such as in-person communication and interpersonal dynamics, so companies will need to adjust how they train these younger workers.
e' Gen Z Workers, are actually the Happiest and Hardest Working Generation, say Researchers.
Baby boomers have the highest household net worth of any US generation. Defined by the Federal Reserve as being born between 1946 and 1964 (currently in the ages between 59 and 77), baby boomers are in often in the sunset of their career or early into retirement.
A CM Group consumer research effort that polled 1,000 consumers found Gen Z consumers are better educated, more practical, more ambitious and more skeptical than Millennials.
What are the values of Gen Z? Gen Z is known for being resourceful, independent learners who value diversity and inclusive culture and place a priority on well-being and mental health in the workplace. They are fiscally conservative with a keen focus on investing and income. Gen Z values justice and equity.
Gen Z and mental health. Regarding the stats, it's clear that Gen Z is struggling. A 2022 survey of Gen Z young adults (ages 19 through 24) found that 42% are diagnosed with a mental health condition.
The biggest mental health issue Gen Z deals with is anxiety. Nine out of ten Gen Z with diagnosed mental health conditions struggle with anxiety, and nearly eight out of ten (78%) are battling depression. Other mental health conditions the generation faces are ADHD (27%), PTSD (20%), and OCD (17%).
For Gen Zs who spent a lot of time in lockdowns (as most people did), they've missed the opportunity to socialise and get comfortable with meeting people and making new friends. Social media use is high for Gen Zs, and rose during the socially-isolated periods, because it was the only way to stay connected.
Nearly a third of people between 16 and 74 years old consider themselves loners. Out of this age group, Generation Z is considered to be the loneliest generation, with a loner score 10 points higher than the Greatest Generation (least lonely).
A Tukey post hoc analysis revealed statistically significant differences for antisocial behaviors in Generation Z when compared to the 41-50+ age group. Significant differences between students were not found when examining the categories of sexual orientations and political affiliations.
For generation Z, 73 percent of respondents said they weren't currently dating or looking for a relationship because they had more important priorities at the moment. The survey showed a generational gap in the different reasons why Americans are content with being single.