Generation Z, broadly defined as those born between 1997 and 2012, are the youngest generation living today. As the generation that has grown up in a fully digital world, Gen Z is notably different from previous generations in how they engage with technology, media, work, and the world around them. With climate change, political polarization, income inequality, and other major societal challenges weighing heavily on their futures, many wonder if Gen Z may be the last generation that gets to live a “normal” life as previous generations have known it.
What defines Generation Z?
Generation Z refers to the cohort born approximately between 1997 and 2012. As the generation after Millennials, their birth years start where Millennials end, though the exact range varies slightly among different researchers. Pew Research Center defines Gen Z as anyone born from 1997 onward, while many demographers use the mid to late 1990s as the starting birth years.
Here are some key facts about Gen Z:
| Birth Years | 1997 – 2012 |
|---|---|
| Current Age | 10 – 25 years old |
| Size | 86 million (U.S.) |
| Nicknames | Zoomers, Post-Millennials, iGeneration, Centennials |
As the children of Generation X and Millennials, Gen Z is the most racially diverse and progressive generation to date. But beyond their demographics, it’s their immersion in technology and social media from a very young age that most defines them.
How is Gen Z different from previous generations?
Gen Z shares some similarities with Millennials in terms of liberal social values, comfort with technology, and support for diversity. But Gen Zers have many unique attributes that set them apart:
– **Hyperconnected from birth.** Gen Z is the first truly mobile generation, having access to smartphones, tablets and computers from very early ages. Social platforms like Instagram and TikTok are their main forms of communication and self-expression.
– **Financially prudent.** Growing up during the Great Recession, Gen Zers tend to be very focused on financial security and pragmatic about money compared to Millennials.
– **Socially conscious.** Gen Z cares deeply about societal issues like racial justice, climate change, and mental health. They are passionate about making the world a better place.
– **Entrepreneurial.** Having grown up watching YouTube stars and teen influencers make careers online, many Gen Zers are motivated to build businesses and personal brands from a young age.
– **Anxious and stressed.** Between social media pressures, school shootings, climate anxiety, and now Covid-19, rates of depression, anxiety and suicide are high among Gen Z.
What challenges face Gen Z?
Gen Z inherits many of the economic, political, and environmental problems previous generations have left behind or failed to adequately address. This combination of turbulence and uncertainty leads many to wonder if Gen Z will be the last “normal” generation compared to their predecessors.
Climate change
Gen Z has grown up with climate change as an existential threat to their futures. From rising sea levels and temperatures to extreme weather events, the impacts of climate change will only intensify over Gen Z’s lifetimes. Despite their passion and calls for action, little progress has been made by governments and corporations to address the climate crisis at the scale and urgency required. Gen Z may be the last generation to experience life on Earth before catastrophic climate disruptions become the norm.
Artificial intelligence
Gen Z will come of age at a time when automation and artificial intelligence are rapidly advancing. Up to 40% of jobs could become automated by the 2030s, profoundly disrupting careers and employment. While new tech innovations often generate new types of jobs, AI and robotics threaten to displace large segments of the workforce. Gen Z may be the last generation able to pursue traditional career paths before machines and algorithms dominate the workplace.
Virtual lives
No generation has been more shaped by digital technology than Gen Z. But concerns abound over the impacts of social media, internet addiction, misinformation, and lack of real world interactions. Gen Z is the first generation of “digital natives” to go through childhood and adolescence completely immersed in virtual worlds. Only time will tell if Gen Z represents the high watermark of digital life, or if future generations will become even more dependent on technology.
Economic inequality
Gen Z inherits high levels of income and wealth inequality, job insecurity, unaffordable housing, and burdensome student loan debt. Economic mobility has been declining for decades across the developed world. Compared to the prosperous postwar era their grandparents grew up in, Gen Z faces limited economic opportunities and security. Cost of living and housing inflation will make it very difficult for Gen Z to achieve the same living standards as previous generations.
Political instability
Gen Z comes of age at a time of resurgent nationalism, ethnic conflicts, breakdown of international cooperation, and loss of faith in institutions. From America’s bitter partisan divide to Brexit to rising authoritarian regimes, the liberal democratic order appears to be fraying. Combined with disruptions from climate change, mass migration, and resource scarcity, Gen Z may grow up in a world plagued by instability, conflict and disruption.
Is there hope for Gen Z’s future?
While the challenges facing Gen Z are daunting, there are also reasons for optimism that the generation’s activism, adaptability, and progressive values can create real change:
Power of technology
The same technologies threatening societal disruption also have huge potential for solving problems. Gen Z can leverage tools like AI, drones, biotech, blockchain, and green energy to build a cleaner, more secure world. Technology widens access to education, healthcare, financial services, and political participation. Gen Z’s native comfort with tech provides reason to hope.
Entrepreneurship
Gen Z has a passion for entrepreneurship and launching their own brands, companies, and movements. Their desire for fulfilling work and to shape their own economic destinies could remake industries in creative and humanistic ways. New business models focused on sustainability, equity, and justice may flourish under Gen Z leaders.
Social engagement
This generation has shown a strong moral conscience and willingness to mobilize for causes they care about. From March for Our Lives to climate strikes, Gen Z is civically engaged and demanding change. Their numbers and influence will only grow as more begin voting, running for office, and shaping public policy. Gen Z just may have the vision and vigor needed to spark progress on society’s biggest problems.
Adaptability
Change and uncertainty are the only constants for Gen Z. Having grown up in tumultuous times from 9/11 and the Great Recession to Covid-19 and political upheaval, Gen Z has proven highly resilient and adaptive to disruption. Their comfort with flexibility and openness to alternative lifestyles like the gig economy or remote work may enable Gen Z to thrive amidst chaos in ways prior generations can’t.
Global connectivity
Despite divisive nationalism and xenophobia in places like America and Europe, Gen Z is the most globally interconnected generation ever. They are fluent in internet culture, activist movements, and issues spanning countries and cultures. Climate change and other global threats require cooperative international solutions—something digital natives like Gen Z are well equipped to forge.
Conclusion
Generation Z faces unprecedented threats that call into question whether they will be the last generation to enjoy stability and prosperity as the world has known for the past several decades. Technological, economic, political, and environmental disruptions create a highly uncertain future. But Gen Z’s adaptability, social conscience, entrepreneurial spirit, and digital connectivity also offer hope that they may pioneer solutions to build a better society for themselves and generations to follow. Though the road ahead is rocky, with care, luck and perseverance, Gen Z just might create a world not only worth surviving, but worth living in.