How does Gen Z feel about money?
Gen Zers are having a harder time making ends meet, let alone building wealth. Roughly 38% of Generation Z adults and millennials believe they face more difficulty feeling financially secure than their parents did at the same age, largely due to the economy, according to a recent Bankrate report.
In the most recent survey of 3,000 Gen Z candidates conducted by RippleMatch in January 2024, we found that while 52% of Gen Z candidates are not confident they will find a job or internship that meets their standards, they aren't planning to sacrifice salary in their search.
Gen-Z feels substantial anxiety and stress about jobs, long-term financial stability and major life steps, such as buying a home and starting a family.
- 53% of US Gen Zers want brands they shop at to support mental health, more than any other cause, according to a survey from ICSC and Big Village. ...
- Gen Z also wants brands to support LGBTQ+ rights (like same-sex marriage) and political activism, per ICSC and Big Village.
A new study shows that more than one-quarter of millennials and Gen Z generations are obsessed with the idea of being rich, which could be fueling money dysmorphia. The survey was conducted online by Qualtrics on behalf of Intuit Credit Karma in December. More than 1,000 U.S. adults above the age of 18 participated.
According to recent data from a 2023 Pew Research Centre survey, Gen Z is more financially independent at a younger age than prior generations. While still in school, a sizeable proportion of Gen Zers work part-time, freelance, or have side hustles.
That means they're much less likely to overspend and risk going into debt, but also less likely to make the occasional stretch purchase. With that said, Gen Z is a credit-friendly generation--they're just careful about falling into debt traps.
Gen Z is more stressed than any other generation about their savings accounts, a BI survey shows. Nearly half of Gen Z adults worry about their daily spending. One Gen Z grad student says she loses sleep over her financial responsibilities.
From issues like discrimination and human rights to personal safety and violence, it's all stressful to younger Americans. But, like their older counterparts, health- and finance-related concerns topped the list of stressors.
However, Gen Z has certain weaknesses. They have a rather indifferent attitude towards security and prioritize convenience over security . They also experience a low perceived behavioral control and lack education on how to behave securely online .
Does Gen Z want to get married?
The generation overwhelmingly said serious relationships were important to them. More than 40 percent are currently involved in serious relationships, while 27 percent are looking for one. And a clear majority, 93 percent, said they were interested in marriage if they weren't already in the process of getting married.
Gen Zers are having a harder time making ends meet, let alone building wealth. Roughly 38% of Generation Z adults and millennials believe they face more difficulty feeling financially secure than their parents did at the same age, largely due to the economy, according to a recent Bankrate report.
Gen Z's Philanthropic Potential
The good news, however, is that this limitation doesn't deter them from contributing to causes they care about however they can. “[I]n 2022, Gen Z adults made an average of 5.3 donations — notably more than the 4.8 made by millennials and 4.7 made by Generation X.”
About 45 percent of Gen Z and Millennials are obsessed with the idea of being rich, with 43 percent of Gen Z and 41 percent of Millennials experiencing the phenomenon. Furthermore, 48 percent of Gen Z and 59 percent of Millennials said they feel left behind financially.
Millennials stand to become the richest generation in history, after $90 trillion wealth transfer | CNN Business.
U.S. wealth distribution 1990-2023, by generation
In the fourth quarter of 2023, 51.8 percent of the total wealth in the United States was owned by members of the baby boomer generation.
Intuit's most recent Prosperity Index Study explains how Gen Z is leading the wave with this “softer” approach to life and finances. According to the study, 3 out of 4 Gen Zers say they'd rather have a better quality of life than extra money in the bank.
- People aged 40-49 hold the highest amount of debt with $4.21 trillion in total.
- By 2030, Millennials (born between 1981 to 1996) are expected to have the most total debt at an average of $228,891 per person.
Bankrate investing survey) Considering the state of the economy, including higher interest rates and elevated inflation, 53 percent of Gen Zers say they will invest more in an investment/retirement account. ( Bankrate investing survey) Of Gen Z, 52 percent say that money has a negative impact on their mental health. (
While older generations might dismiss Gen Z as lazy or entitled, they understand the importance of work-life balance. Rather than being slaves to their jobs, they work to live, valuing quality time with friends and family, personal growth, and meaningful experiences.
Is Gen Z the hardest generation?
While the survey indicates that three out of four managers find Gen Z to be the most challenging to work with, Stacie Haller, chief career advisor at ResumeBuilder, suggests that the challenges managers face with this generation may be attributed more to their companies' lack of preparedness.
Generations | Born | Current Ages |
---|---|---|
Gen Z | 1997 – 2012 | 12 – 27 |
Millennials | 1981 – 1996 | 28 – 43 |
Gen X | 1965 – 1980 | 44 – 59 |
Boomers II (a/k/a Generation Jones)* | 1955 – 1964 | 60 – 69 |
Generation Z vs Millennials: Key Takeaways
Members of Gen Z are more concerned about the cost of education (21% of respondents), compared to Millennials (13% of respondents). Millennials value stability (34%), while Gen Z puts more of an emphasis on finding their dream job (32%).
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.
Many of Gen Z had to move to online learning. And those in the workforce had to transition to remote work. This lack of in-person interactions and reliance on digital platforms may have impacted their ability to navigate traditional interpersonal interactions in the workplace.
References
- https://www.kiplinger.com/personal-finance/median-income-by-generation
- https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20230530-why-gen-z-are-so-motivated-by-pay
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/banking/talking-about-money-by-generation/
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/emerging-trends-shopping-5-products-captivating-gen-zs-interest
- https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/27/gen-z-vs-their-parents-how-the-generations-stack-up-financially.html
- https://www.deseret.com/23863200/gen-z-money-saving/
- https://www.karenmccullough.com/10-things-you-need-to-know-about-gen-z/
- https://www.cnbc.com/2023/10/16/53percent-of-gen-z-see-high-cost-of-living-as-a-barrier-to-financial-success.html
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/everything-us-now-gen-zs-140012370.html
- https://fortune.com/2024/01/26/why-gen-z-depressed-even-though-richer-than-gen-x-parents-pew/
- https://gitnux.org/gen-z-college-statistics/
- https://thehill.com/changing-america/respect/poverty/4429552-less-than-half-young-adults-financially-independent-of-parents-pew-survey/
- https://www.emarketer.com/insights/generation-z-facts/
- https://www.successories.com/articles/motivating-genz
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/millenials-boomers-gen-z-x-how-motivate-team-jennifer-tierney
- https://www.fox13news.com/news/study-gen-z-millennials-obsessed-with-idea-of-being-rich
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/gen-z-changing-workplace-experts-130009416.html
- https://parade.com/1293898/marynliles/gen-z-slang-words/
- https://www.talon.one/blog/gen-z-consumer-behavior-what-you-need-to-know
- https://typeset.io/questions/what-are-gen-zs-strengths-and-weaknesses-65gvmm9wom
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/unveiling-intellect-decoding-why-gen-z-appears-smarter-farhan-hidayat-ul77f
- https://www.newsweek.com/gen-z-millennials-obsessed-being-rich-1861944
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/100615/5-credit-cards-super-rich.asp
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/gen-z-millennial-money-habits-001617443.html
- https://www.ey.com/en_us/payments/how-gen-z-is-changing-the-payments-landscape
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/021914/money-habits-millennials.asp
- https://www.theforage.com/blog/basics/problems-gen-z-workplace
- https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/13/nearly-half-of-young-adults-have-money-dysmorphia-survey-finds.html
- https://blog.gwi.com/marketing/generation-z-characteristics/
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/tracybrower/2023/09/24/gen-zs-are-quitting-in-droves-6-best-ways-to-retain-them/
- https://www.self.inc/info/debt-by-age-group-generation/
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ijcs.12994
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2023/09/29/gen-z-faces-financial-challenges-stress-anxiety-and-an-uncertain-future/
- https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/banking/advice/gen-z-soft-saving/
- https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/11/gen-z-banking-finance-money-trends/
- https://www.fastcompany.com/90865212/once-you-spot-gen-zs-favorite-colors-youll-see-them-everywhere
- https://www.tiaa.org/public/institute/publication/2021/financial-literacy-and-well-being-five-generation-america
- https://www.businessinsider.com/young-people-genz-money-talk-physical-attraction-before-relationship-serious-study-2023-12
- https://moneytalkwitht.com/blog/gen-z-financial-literacy/
- https://corporate.britishcouncil.org/insights/gen-z-workplace-bridging-soft-skills-gap-drive-success
- https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/community/johnson-county/article280478329.html
- https://wwd.com/business-news/business-features/gen-z-millennials-obsessed-being-rich-1236150794/
- https://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/retirees-retirement-savings-run-out
- https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/18/gen-z-says-they-have-it-harder-than-their-parents-did.html
- https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/14/health/gen-z-mental-health-gallup-wellness-cec/index.html
- https://www.clearvoice.com/resources/consumer-spending-by-generation/
- https://dalquestnews.org/24030/commentary/why-has-gen-z-given-up/
- https://usafacts.org/articles/which-generation-has-the-most-wealth/
- https://www.beresfordresearch.com/age-range-by-generation/
- https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20231218-the-picky-buying-habits-of-gen-z-consumers
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/decoding-gen-zs-financial-mindset-lets-talk-numbers-timbukdo
- https://www.futuremediahubs.com/next-generation-hub/news/power-gen-z-colors
- https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/life/2024/02/22/gen-z-is-ageing-faster
- https://try.commentsold.com/blog/marketing-strategies/gen-z-shopping-behaviors/
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/21582440231188308
- https://www.newsweek.com/gen-z-could-change-marriage-rates-1869146
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/credit-cards-trends-by-generation/
- https://www.newsweek.com/gen-z-struggling-pay-debt-student-loans-1868611
- https://en.as.com/latest_news/this-is-how-much-do-gen-zers-make-per-average-in-every-state-n/
- https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/10/business/gen-zs-financial-angst/index.html
- https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/01/economy/millennials-richest-generation-in-history/index.html
- https://johnsoncenter.org/blog/financial-stress-and-philanthropic-influence-the-precarious-promise-of-generation-z/
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/generation-most-least-financially-literate-150057389.html
- https://fortune.com/2024/03/01/millennials-gen-z-snowballing-debt-interest-rates-credit-scores/
- https://www.stlouisfed.org/open-vault/2024/mar/where-gen-z-goes-for-financial-info
- https://www.hrdive.com/news/hiring-managers-steer-clear-of-gen-z/705571/
- https://apexfintechsolutions.com/news-resources/blog/millennial-and-genz-investing-habits/
- https://www.axios.com/2023/01/21/genz-careers-boomers-millennial
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/gen-z-most-challenging-generation-190008042.html
- https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/gen-z-boss-0816
- https://www.theshelf.com/insights/generation-z-characteristics/
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/increase-life-expectancy-what-does-expect-from-us-santosh-singh-
- https://www.kiplinger.com/personal-finance/spending/gen-z-spends-big
- https://yr.media/news/gen-z-prefers-work-alone-noah-johnson/
- https://fortune.com/2023/10/03/older-millennials-most-financially-stressed/
- https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2023-12-14/gen-z-can-t-afford-to-buy-houses-and-millennials-are-to-blame-lq5p4yyd
- https://www.businessinsider.com/gen-z-biggest-financial-stressors-the-top-worry-is-saving-2023-12
- https://www.businessinsider.com/credit-card-debt-crisis-subprime-credit-scores-millennials-gen-z-2024-3
- https://www.lexingtonlaw.com/blog/finance/average-net-worth-by-age.html
- https://www.adecco.com/en-us/employers/resources/article/generation-z-vs-millennials-infographic
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/three-generation-curse-wealth-why-riches-dont-last-michael
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/gen-z-credit-habits/
- https://rebeccarijsdijk.medium.com/gen-z-is-not-lazy-the-rest-of-us-are-just-conditioned-to-being-ok-with-being-exploited-f11192b81c33
- https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14882451
- https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/01/top-money-goals-for-gen-z-and-millennials-in-2024.html
- https://www.businessinsider.com/millennials-worried-gen-z-doesnt-have-fun-2023-12
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2023/11/14/millennials-baby-boomers-differences-university-cambridge-study/71574991007/
- https://www.bankrate.com/banking/savings/gen-z-money-mindset/
- https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/10/the-no-1-thing-that-influences-gen-zs-happiness-a-new-survey-shows.html
- https://www.afterpay.com/en-US/for-retailers/access/meet-gen-z---millennials/meet-the-most-financially-savvy-generation-gen-z
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/timmaurer/2024/03/03/ditching-the-stereotypes-unveiling-the-financial-savvy-of-gen-z/
- https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/generation-z-millennials-young-adults-worries
- https://www.stlouisfed.org/institute-for-economic-equity/the-state-of-us-wealth-inequality
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/1376622/wealth-distribution-for-the-us-generation/
- https://www.emarketer.com/content/gen-z-loves-debit-cards-here-s-why
- https://pro.morningconsult.com/analyst-reports/gen-z-money-personal-finances
- https://timelycare.com/blog/generation-z-college-students/
- https://www.chime.com/blog/gen-z-wealth/
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/gen-z-candidates-all-money-lets-talk-why-kate-beckman-iqwse
- https://www.myshortlister.com/insights/gen-z-work-ethic
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/gen-z-cares-more-other-210137705.html
- https://fanbytes.co.uk/what-motivates-gen-z-to-buy/
- https://buddy.download/learn/why-gen-z-should-care-about-financial-literacy/