How Happy Is Gen Z? (2024)

Wellbeing

How Happy Is Gen Z?

Wellbeing

New report shows school and work are keys to contentment

How Happy Is Gen Z? (1)

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- For the first time in the World Happiness Report’s 12-year history, the U.S. didn’t make the list of the world’s top 20 happiest countries. It dropped from 15th to 23rd place out of more than 130 countries between 2023 and 2024. The decline is at least partly attributable to the unhappiness of Americans under 30.

New research from the Gallup-Walton Family Foundation Voices of Gen Z study, developed with happiness expert Arthur C. Brooks, offers more insight into how happy U.S. young people are and suggests ways to increase their happiness. The survey, conducted Nov. 27-30, 2023, via the Gallup Panel, collected responses from a nationally representative sample of 2,271 12- to 26-year-olds.

The report finds that about three-quarters of Gen Z -- the children and young adults born between 1997 and 2012 -- say they are very happy (25%) or somewhat happy (48%). It also reveals that in addition to about one-quarter of Gen Z who are not happy, about one-quarter of Gen Z do not consistently feel like their life matters, about half often feel anxious, and roughly one in five often feel depressed.

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So, what makes Gen Z happy?

Purpose in School and Work Are Important Drivers of Happiness

The report suggests that several factors significantly influence Gen Zers’ happiness, after accounting for components such as people's financial and mental health.

These factors all relate to feeling fulfillment at school or work. Specifically, 60% of Gen Zers who identify as a happy person say they do something interesting every day, compared with 28% of those who generally don't feel happy. Also, about two-thirds (64%) of Gen Z members who are happy, versus 38% of those who are not happy, agree that the things they do at work or school are important. The connection between happiness and Gen Z's motivation to go to school or work is similar, with 60% who say they are happy and 31% who are not happy feeling motivated.

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Closely related to whether Gen Zers see themselves as happy is the extent to which they feel their lives have significance and direction. In this respect, about half of Gen Z members say they always feel their life matters, and an additional 28% say they often feel this way. However, fewer say their life has direction -- six in 10 Gen Zers say they always (28%) or often (32%) feel this way.

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As with overall happiness, the extent to which Gen Zers feel what they do at work or school is interesting and meaningful significantly influences whether they feel their lives matter and have direction.

Bottom Line

The data suggest that having daily activities they find interesting, motivating or important could offer Gen Zers a reliable path to happiness. Additionally, the survey found that getting enough sleep and having enough relaxation periods during the week are strong predictors of Gen Z’s overall happiness. However, between 42% and 49% of Gen Z say they don’t feel purpose in their daily activities, do not get enough sleep and do not get enough relaxation.

Addressing the U.S. happiness problem could start with helping Gen Z adults find the best match for their interests when choosing college programs or careers, and making sure that Gen Z children are excited by and see the value in what they are learning in the classroom. Ensuring that this next generation coming into adulthood finds fulfillment in developing themselves for success would be building a strong foundation for the nation’s future.

Learn more about the Gallup-Walton Family Foundation Voices of Gen Z study: Youth Happiness here.

To stay up to date with the latest Gallup News insights and updates, follow us on X.

Survey Methods

Results for the Walton Family Foundation Voices of Gen Z study are based on a Gallup Panel web survey conducted Nov. 27-30, 2023, with a national sample of 2,271 12- to 26-year-olds. The Gallup Panel is a probability-based panel of U.S. adults who are randomly selected using address-based sampling methodology. Gallup also recruits using random-digit-dial phone interviews that cover landlines and cellphones.

Overall, 1,078 12- to 18-year-old children nationally were reached through adult members of the Gallup Panel who indicated they had at least one child 18 or younger living in their household; the additional 1,193 18- to 26-year-old respondents are members of the Gallup Panel. For the total sample of 2,271 Gen Z respondents nationally, the margin of sampling error is ±3.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. For the sample of 1,078 12- to 18-year-old Gen Z youth recruited through a parent or guardian, the margin of sampling error is ±4.0 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. For the sample of 1,193 18- to 26-year-old Gen Z adults nationally who are Gallup Panel members, the margin of sampling error is ±4.7 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. Margins of error for subgroups are higher.

All reported margins of sampling error include computed design effects for weighting. In addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of public opinion polls.

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How Happy Is Gen Z? (2024)

FAQs

How Happy Is Gen Z? ›

27-30, 2023, via the Gallup

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Gallup provides trusted research and intelligence about societies and organizations worldwide to help leaders solve their most pressing problems. Gallup News reports empirical evidence about the attitudes and behaviors of the world's 7 billion citizens based on Gallup's polling in 160 countries.
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Panel, collected responses from a nationally representative sample of 2,271 12- to 26-year-olds. The report finds that about three-quarters of Gen Z -- the children and young adults born between 1997 and 2012 -- say they are very happy (25%) or somewhat happy (48%).

What is Gen Z happiness most driven by one surprising thing? ›

1 thing that influences Gen Z's happiness is having a purpose. One of the most significant findings of the survey is that what influences the happiness of Gen Zers the most is "their sense of purpose at work or school."

How much of Gen Z feels lonely? ›

Loneliness in the early 20s and late teens could be a significant contributing factor, as 53 percent of Gen Zs reported loneliness and 52 percent said they had feelings of failure over achieving their life goals.

Why is Gen Z giving up? ›

At the core of both quiet quitting and resenteeism are common themes: burnout, feeling undervalued, and feeling unfulfilled.

Who are the happiest generation? ›

Age and generation both matter for happiness. As between generations, those born before 1965 (Boomers and their predecessors) have life evaluations about one-quarter of a point higher than those born after 1980 (Millennials and Gen Z).

What makes Gen Z happy? ›

Additionally, the survey found that getting enough sleep and having enough relaxation periods during the week are strong predictors of Gen Z's overall happiness. However, between 42% and 49% of Gen Z say they don't feel purpose in their daily activities, do not get enough sleep and do not get enough relaxation.

Is Gen Z actually more depressed? ›

Calling the findings about the emotional struggles of Generation Z young adults "alarming," the researchers said 29% of them reported experiencing depression, versus 15% of teens; 36% of young adults reported anxiety, compared to 18% of teens.

Do 73% of Gen Z have no friends? ›

73% of Gen Z is experiencing record-high levels of loneliness according to Psychology Today and a lot of them dont have friends.

Why is it hard for Gen Z to make friends? ›

“Many people, Gen Z specifically, who are entering the workforce, haven't necessarily had the experience of being able to make friends in the typical way, and are starting a new job for the first time where they don't know anyone,” Miriam Kirmayer, a clinical psychologist and friendship expert, told the BBC.

Is Gen Z partying less? ›

The visibility of healthier lifestyles has resulted in Gen Z showing a preference for lower alcohol consumption. Social media has also helped reduce the stigma around mental health discussions, prompting Gen Z to be more cautious about their drinking habits, as they acknowledge the impact of alcohol on mental health.

Why is Gen Z not having kids? ›

One of the main reasons was cost. So many people are worried about renting and having children and want to buy before they do,” she said. The cost-of-living crisis has also meant that young people are relying on two incomes to pay the mortgage or rent.

What is Gen Z suffering from? ›

In particular he points to four interrelated “foundational harms”—social deprivation, lack of sleep, attention fragmentation and addiction—and is working to “bring childhood back to earth.” Jean Twenge is a psychology professor who's built a career on analysing generational traits and trends.

Will Gen Z live longer? ›

They're now expected, on average, to live to 79. 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.

Who is the smartest gen? ›

A growing discourse suggests that Generation Z (Gen Z) is endowed with higher cognitive abilities compared to their predecessors, the Millennials. This assertion prompts an exploration into the unique characteristics and experiences that might contribute to the perception of heightened intelligence within Gen Z.

Who was the luckiest generation? ›

Baby boomers are often said to be the luckiest generation financially — but millennials will be better off than their parents in retirement, survey finds.

Which Gen is the most stressed? ›

Although the stress of experiencing a continuing polycrisis affects people of all demographics, recent research from GlobeScan shows that Gen Z respondents across 31 countries and territories are more than twice as likely to say they frequently experience stress and anxiety than are Baby Boomers and older.

What is Gen Z motivated by? ›

Gen Z is often motivated by a sense of purpose and may be drawn to jobs and companies that align with their values and beliefs.

What is Gen Z driven by? ›

Individuality. Authenticity. Inclusivity. This is an ambitious group of people and 80 percent are more driven than Millennials—people born between 1981 and 1996.

What is Gen Z most passionate about? ›

Among human and civil rights issues, Gen Z is most passionate about racial equity, with 70% prioritizing this cause that focuses on allocating resources and opportunities for BIPOC communities to thrive. Similarly, racial equity stands as the top human and civil rights concern across all other age groups.

What gets Gen Z excited? ›

Gen-Z is driven by their passionate desire for a better world. While they pursue happiness through new, tech-mediated experiences and social networks, the things that reflect their present state of happiness have little to do with technology.

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