This pervasive sense of uncertainty amplifies their desire for autonomy, flexibility and environments that prioritize psychological well-being. When these expectations aren't met, some Gen Z employees view quitting as a way to prioritize their mental health and regain a sense of control over their work-life balance.
Gen Z often struggles with confidence and networking, while Millennials and Gen X cite financial strain and the need to upskill. Older workers are more concerned with how to navigate late-career transitions. In many cases, people aren't leaving because they're unmotivated; they're leaving because they feel stuck.
Here are some key factors: Economic Challenges: Many Gen Zers entered the workforce during or after the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to economic instability, high unemployment rates, and a competitive job market. The rising cost of living, student debt, and housing affordability also weigh heavily on them.
In part due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in part because of other cultural forces, Gen Z is rapidly becoming a more reclusive generation, and one that socializes differently. But now, it is becoming clear that young people are going out less and staying in more, in part because we are less inclined to drink alcohol.
Gen Z is not hopeless. This generation just does things in a way that older generations have a harder time adjusting and understanding. Modern technology, methods, and our cultural differences are what set us apart from older generations, which makes it harder for them to relate to Gen Z.
Gen Z may be facing serious challenges, but they are also shaping the future with their resilience and innovation. While they struggle with mental health, financial insecurity, and social disconnection, their tech skills, social awareness, and determination prove they are far from doomed.
More recent information from 2021 shows this trend is still in progress, as 22% of Gen Xers confess to struggling with stress daily, compared to 17% for Millennials, 14% for Gen Zs, and 8% for Baby Boomers.
This average life expectancy is expected to further lengthen as time passes. The members of Generation Z, the oldest of which are now in their 20s, on average are expected to live to 100 and beyond. Health technology may or may not eventually lift Gen Zers well past that.
Some bosses say that the group is unprepared for the workforce and can't hack the workload. Others find that Gen Zers lack motivation and effort. Some bosses say that once on the job, Gen Z employees seem unprofessional.
In the US, data suggests that Generation Z is drinking less alcohol than previous generations did at the same age. Most industry experts believe that this trend is driven by young people's concerns about health and vanity linked to their heavy use of social media.
Social media, which many Gen Zers have used for most of their teenage and adult life, exacerbates these issues — no other generation has had such immediate and unfiltered access to the news for most of their lives, which can lead to stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
A recent study found that over 40% of Gen Z report feeling persistently sad or hopeless, a staggering statistic that highlights the urgent need for change. But here's the thing: talking about mental health isn't enough. We need real solutions, ones that are accessible, affordable, and stigma-free.
"BofA Global Research has noted that a huge transfer of wealth is expected as Baby Boomers pass down assets to younger generations, meaning that Gen Z and Millennials are increasingly likely to be making key spending and saving decisions."
"No other generation feels less connected, less autonomy over their future, more unfocused when it comes to life, and reports worst quality of life and greater hindrance due to their mental health," Lustig said. "This has huge ramifications for other aspects of life, including the workplace."
Baby Boomers and Generation X workers are older and less likely to leave their jobs. Gen Z is driving the trend with a higher percentage leaving jobs without another to go to.
This viral phenomenon may be related to the use of Botox, fillers and retinol creams; lifestyle factors such as smoking/vaping; poor diets and being less active, and increased stress.
In recent years, a political gender gap between Gen Z men and women emerged, with Gen Z men leaning towards conservatism and right-wing populism, and women leaning towards support for progressive and left-wing policies and left-wing populism, a gap that has been detected by various research and numerous countries, but ...
Work is important — but it's not everything. Unlike older generations, who often saw work as a core part of their identity, Gen Z ranks friends and family as their top priorities, with work coming in second. Younger generations value personal time, and many believe their job doesn't define them.
Social media and dating apps create unrealistic expectations and promote casual connections over commitment." Hallie Kritsas, a licensed mental health counselor with Thriveworks, told Newsweek: "Gen Z's or zoomers are more likely to be single because they don't derive happiness from being in a relationship.
It is a known fact that lifespan increases with each generation. For baby boomers, the average life expectancy is 70 years, for Gen X its 85, and newer generations like Gen Z and Alpha will likely exceed the 100-year mark.
A 2025 Rasmussen Reports poll revealed that 37% of singles under 30 say they're not even interested in dating, and nearly half of Gen Z is "intentionally single". They're not waiting for love to rescue them. They're waiting until it's real and resting, thriving and healing in the meantime.
She says Gen Z faces more challenges in some ways than previous generations. “There's a growth in inequality in the transition to adulthood. There's a lot of changes in culture and norms, insecurity more generally, in terms of climate change and the war and school shootings and rapid inflation.
Baby Boomers rank as the wealthiest generation in history. Boomers represent just 20% of the population, but their share of U.S. household wealth peaked at 53% in 2021 before slipping to about 51% as of the end of 2024.
In many ways, Gen Zers are better off than their parents were 30 years ago, but fewer are financially independent — here's why. Compared with their parents at this age, today's young adults are more likely to have a college degree and work full time, according to a recent report by the Pew Research Center.
