Generation Z—those born between 1997 and 2012—isn't just entering adulthood; they're bringing with them distinct financial attitudes that could transform how we think about money. In 2025, Gen Z will represent almost 30% of the global workforce, and their influence is already evident in investment trends, workplace shifts, and consumer behavior.

Contrary to cliches about young people glued to social media, Gen Z is pragmatic about finances. Having witnessed their parents navigate the Great Recession and experiencing the economic uncertainty of a pandemic during their formative years, many Gen Zers approach money management with caution and strategic thinking that belies their youth.

Below, we take you on a tour of this generation and it♏s financial and tech habit🌠s.

What Is Generation Z?

Generati🌠on Z refers to individuals born between 1997 and 2012. This demographic cohort follows the Millennials and precedes Generation Alpha. As the first true digital natives, Gen Z has grown up in a world where the internet, smartphones, and socia꧂l media have always been present.

Key characteristics and traits of Generati🔴on Z incluꩲde the following:

• Digital fluency: Gen Z is highly adept at using technology. They spend significant time online for various activities including work, shopping, and socializing.
• Diversity and inclusivity: Almost 50% of Gen Zers are racial and ethnic minorities, making them the most diverse generation in American history. They also show higher rates of LGBTQ+ identification compared with previous generations.
• Pragmatism and financial consciousness: Having witnessed economic challenges like the Great Recession, Gen Z tends to be more pragmatic and financially conservative.
• Entrepreneurial spirit: Gen Z exhibits strong entrepreneurial tendencies and values self-reliance.
• Social consciousness: This generation is deeply concerned about social issues, including climate change, and seeks to make a positive impact.
• Collaborative nature: Gen Z values teamwork and prefers nonhierarchical leadership structures.
• Authenticity and individuality: They prioritize self-expression and avoid labels, seeking authentic experiences and connections.
• Adaptability: Growing up in a rapidly changing world has made Gen Z highly adaptable and open to change.
• Mental health awareness: Gen Z places significant importance on mental health and well-being.

Demographic Composition

Gen Z is the most racially and ethnically diverse ge🎶nerat🌱ion in American history.

澳洲幸运5官方🀅开奖结果体彩网: Key statistics and trends include the following:

澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网: Racial and Ethnic Breakdown

About half of Gen Z identified as non-Hispanic white, making them likely to be the last generation with a white majority (see the𒀰 table above).𝕴

澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网: Increasing Diversity

Gen Z is more diverse than preceding generations. For comparison, 55% of Millennials, 60% of Gen X, and 72% of Baby Boomers identify as non-Hispanic white.

澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网: Regional Variations

Diversity within Gen Z varies by region. In the West, only 40% of Gen Zers are non-Hispanic white, while in the Midwest the figure is 68%.

澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网: Immigration Impact

About 6% of Gen Zers were born outside the U.S., slightly less than Millennials (7%). However, Gen Z is more likely to have at least one foreign-born parent.

澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网: LGBTQ+ Representation

About 16% of Gen Zers identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, higher than any previous generation.

澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网: Urban Concentration

 Only 13% of Gen Z grew up in rural areas, with the majority residing in cities and metropolitan areas.

These 𝄹trends continue with Generation Al💮pha, born after 2012, which is projected to be even more diverse.

Social and Cultural Characteristics

Gen Zers tell researchers that they have a strong commitment to creating positive change. This is w🌞hy they are often engaged in diverse social issues. Surveys show these are top of mind:

• Healthcare access: Almost 90% of Gen Zers aged 18-24 view access to healthcare as a human right. They prioritize affordability and quality of care, with a particular focus on reproductive health. However, about 17% of Gen Zers in this age group lacked health insurance in 2022.
• Mental health: Gen Z considers mental health a crisis in America, with about half of young adults aged 18-29 reporting frequent anxiety. They are 83% more likely to report anxiety issues and 86% more likely to report depression compared with previous generations.
• Environmental concerns: Climate change is a top priority for Gen Z, with 41% citing global warming as the most important global issue. This generation experiences "eco-anxiety," with over 80% worried about the climate crisis. In the U.S., more than 70% of Gen Zers aged 18-24 believe climate change is an immediate threat and support stronger policies to reduce CO₂ emissions.
• Social equity: Gen Z strongly advocates for racial and LGBTQ+ equality. Two-thirds say systemic racism is a public health crisis, and over three-quarters think addressing racial residential segregation should be a federal priority. More than one in five U.S. Gen Z adults identifies as LGBTQ+.
• Economic concerns: Gen Z faces economic uncertainty, including rising college costs and limited job prospects. They are more likely to advocate for affordable education and workplace policies promoting work-life balance, often turning to entrepreneurship to create opportunities.
  

Educational Trends

Generation Z has been doing relativel🌸y well academically:

• High school completion: Gen Z has achieved record high school graduation rates. In the 2021-2022 academic year, 87% of Gen Z students graduated on time, marking a historic high for the nation. This represents a substantial improvement from 82% when the oldest Gen Zers graduated in 2013-2014.
• College enrollment: In fall 2024, total post-secondary enrollment increased by 4.5% to about 19 million students, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Undergraduate enrollment neared 16 million, just 1% below 2019 levels.
• STEM interest: An overwhelming 75% of Gen Z express interest in at least one STEM field. However, less than a third actually pursue STEM careers, partly because of a lack of exposure to foundational material like computer programming or robotics.
• Perceptions of college: Over 80% of Gen Z members view a college education as fairly or very important. However, only 62% of K-12 students plan to pursue higher education after high school.

Economic and Financial Outlook

• Employment: The pandemic significantly affected Gen Z's employment prospects. In late 2021, 52% of Gen Z workers experienced negative impacts on their employment, including layoffs, furloughs, and reductions in hours and pay. However, by 2025, the job market had shown signs of recovery, with total postsecondary enrollment increasing by 4.5% to about 19 million students.
• Financial stability: As of 2025, more than half of Gen Z workers say that an annual income range of $50,000 to $100,000 would provide financial stability. Many aspire to earn over $100,000 by age 30.
• Retirement planning: About two-thirds of Gen Z workers are saving through employer-sponsored 401(k)s or similar retirement plans and/or outside the workplace. They started saving at the median age of 19, contributing 20% (median) of their annual pay to 401(k) or similar plans.
• Debt management: About two-thirds of Gen Zers worry about not being able to pay off school loans or avoiding debt in the first place.
• Financial anxiety: In 2025, 61% of 18-to-35-year-olds experience financial anxiety, with rising living expenses (76%), job uncertainty (48%), and increasing housing costs (46%) among the primary concerns.
• Side hustles: To combat financial instability, many Gen Zers have turned to side hustles. As of 2025, 41% attribute improved financial well-being to additional income streams, and 31% view growing their side hustle as a top financial priority.
• Financial education: 57% of borrowers under 30 used loans to build specialized skills and advance their careers.

Despite these challenges, Gen Z remains 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:optimistic aཧbout the✨ir financial future. About nine in 10 hope to buy their own house someday, and more than two-thirds say retirement savings should be a personal priority.

Gen Z and Technology

A staggering 98% of Gen Zers own a smartphone, and 95% are active on social media, with 45% reporting being online "almost constantly." Their digital fluency goes beyond mere usage; 41% of Gen Z will leave a website if it doesn't predict their preferences.

Gen Zers prefer mobile devices over desktops, with 81% using social media for product research and 85% discovering new products through these platforms. Their multitasking abilities are notable, with 66% using more than one device simultaneously. Gen Z's relationship with technology also shapes their consumer behavior, with 80% trusting online reviews as much as personal recommendations. This extends to education and work: Gen Zers prefer online learning platforms and remote work options.

Bottom Line

Generation Z, defined as individuals born between 1997 and 2012, is set to reshape society as they transition into adulthood and join the global workforce. They are now a major part of the workforce, bringing with them digital fluency, an entrepr꧟eneurial spirit, and a commitment to strong values, while their mobile-first approach continues to influence content consumption and marketing strategies.