For the last couple of years, Millennials have been at the center of attention. Yet, today, there’s a new sheriff in town — Generation Z. This generation consists of people born between 1995 and 2015, and if we are to believe the latest Generation Z statistics, this particular age group is looking to make a long-lasting effect on the planet — and for the better!
Namely, this is a generation of young, open-minded individuals who were born in the digital age. They are creative, competitive, and independent. Better yet, they’ve just entered the working world, and they’re here to stay (for quite a while).
Are you interested to know more? Then take a glance at our highlights below!
Top 10 Most Interesting Generation Z Statistics for 2022
- Gen Z makes 30% of the global population.
- 50% of Zoomers between 18 and 22 participate in freelance work.
- 97% of Zoomers find shopping inspiration on social media.
- Gaming is the number one entertainment activity for 26% of Zoomers.
- 50% of Zoomers are open to the idea of undertaking something other than a four-year college.
- 22% of Gen Zers are raised by at least one immigrant parent.
- 48% of Gen Zers say that same-sex marriages are good for society.
- 70% of Gen Zers follow at least one influencer.
- 40% of 19-year-old Zoomers in the US don’t have a driver’s license.
- A mere 10% of Zoomers watch TV or movies for entertainment.
10 Basic Generation Z Statistics
What percentage of the population are Gen Z? How are they affected by social media? Do they mostly work as freelancers?
1. Gen Zers make 30% of the global population.
(Weforum)
Over 2 billion people in the world belong to Generation Z. What’s more, based on expert predictions, Gen Z will make 27% of the workforce by 2025.
2. Gen Z made 26% of the US population in 2020.
(Knoema)
In 2020, there were 86.40 million Gen Zers in the US, and for the first time, the Generation Z population managed to overtake millennials by a mere 1%.
To be more precise, millennials made up 25% of the US population in 2020, followed by Baby Boomers (21%), Gen Xers (20%), the Silent Gen (7%), and the Greatest Gen (1%).
3. 77% of Gen Z registered voters disapproved of how Trump handled his job.
(Pew Research Center)
Despite this being a relatively young generation, Generation Z and political views go hand in hand. In fact, members of this generation are deeply interested in politics. They pose a solid opposition to the current political climate.
For instance, only 22% of Gen Zers approved of Trump’s doings, whereas most of them opposed it.
4. Members of the Z generation were born between 1997 and 2015.
(Salesforce)
Generation Z’s age range in 2021 goes from 6 to 24 years.
5. 50% of Gen Zers between 18 and 22 participate in freelance work.
(Statista)
When it comes to freelancing, younger generations are more likely to look for flexible work, in contrast to older generations. In 2020, 50% of Gen Z members and 44% of Gen Y members participated in freelance work compared to 30% of Gen Xers and 26% of Baby Boomers.
6. Stats on Generation Z and social media show Gen Zers spend an average of 2 hours and 55 minutes on social media daily.
(The World Economic Forum)
Judging how they were born in a technological paradise (so to speak), it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Gen Zers spend a lot of their free time online. Namely, the so-called “Zoomers” use social media much more than other generations — a whopping 2 hours and 55 minutes per day!
The generation after Gen Z that spends an average of 2 hours and 38 minutes per day on social media are millennials. Gen Xers take third place (1 hour and 49 minutes), and Baby Boomers take the last spot with just 1 hour and 12 minutes.
7. 97% of Gen Zers find shopping inspiration on social media.
(Digital Information World)
As we can see from the Gen Z social media statistics, about 62% of Zoomers prefer online shopping over the physical one. Likewise, 40% of Gen Zers follow different brands on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, while 68% read suggestions and reviews before purchasing.
8. 89% of Gen Zers use YouTube at least once a week.
(American Express)
The most popular online platform for Gen Zers is none other than YouTube. Instagram (75%) and Snapchat (68%) follow suit and play a considerable role in Generation Z social media statistics.
Conversely, Gen Y uses more platforms, with Facebook being the one they use the most (87%). Millennials also spend their time on YouTube (86%), Instagram (71%), Snapchat (52%), Twitter (42%), and Pinterest (42%).
9. Only 36% of Gen Zers use Facebook weekly.
(The Manifest) (Digital Marketing Community)
Facebook is no longer popular with the younger generations. Yet, the older generations love it more than ever. For instance, 96% of Baby Boomers use Facebook at least once a week. They also use Instagram and WhatsApp more than other generations.
10. Generation Z social media usage statistics from 2020 show Snapchat was the most popular connecting platform among Zoomers and Millennials.
(Statista) (Neal Sivadas)
90% of 13–24-year-old Americans use Snapchat, while the app has 200 million users daily. The second place belonged to TikTok (which doesn’t pay so much for 1 million views, though), whereas Youtube took third place on the list.
Why do Zoomers prefer Snapchat over other platforms? Simply put, because of authenticity. Namely, 8 in 10 Gen Zers use Snapchat because it allows them to “be themselves.”
Generation Z Characteristics That Make Them Stand Out
What makes Gen Zers different from other generations?
11. Gen Z loves sports. The most popular sport among Zoomers is the National Football League.
(Statista)
49% of Zoomers in the US are NFL fans, and 47% are NBA fans.
Likewise, a high percentage of Zoomers are college football and college basketball fans (37% and 33%, respectively). 32% enjoy watching baseball, 29% are avid fans of ultimate fighting; 26% are obsessed with NASCAR, and 25% watch hockey.
12. Gen Z statistics on mental health suggest merely 45% of Zoomers believe their mental health is good or excellent.
(AECF)
Despite being the most depressed generation, Zoomers are more likely than other generations to seek professional help when dealing with depression and anxiety. On that note, 37% of Zoomers admit receiving psychological support (counseling and therapy) for their mental issues.
13. 68% of Gen Zers stay up late at night due to stress.
(Voice of America)
Generation Z depression statistics are a huge cause for concern. In just eight years, the depression rate among teenagers aged 14 to 17 increased by over 60%.
When it comes to older Gen Zers (those aged 18 to 21), they often experience symptoms of stress such as feeling sad (58%), lack of interest (55%), and feeling anxious (54%).
14. Gaming is the number one form of entertainment for 26% of Zoomers.
(Variety) (Ypulse)
26% of Zoomers put video games at the top of their list of entertainment activities. Moreover, 87% play video games on a daily or weekly basis. Their favorite video games include Call of Duty, Fortnite, Among Us, GTA, and Minecraft.
15. Generation Z statistics point out that a mere 10% of Zoomers watch TV or movies for entertainment.
(Variety)
Zoomers find listening to music (14%), browsing the internet (12%), and engaging on social media (11%) more fun than watching cable TV.
In contrast, 39% of Baby Boomers, 29% of Gen Xers, and 18% of Millennials prefer watching TV as their main source of entertainment.
16. Generation Z education statistics indicate that 50% of Zoomers are open to the idea of undertaking something other than a four-year college.
(Question the Quo)
What’s more, 74% of the surveyed teens would choose a career-based education. The most popular industries among Gen Zers are workforce safety and health, marketing sales, and content production.
Zoomer’s biggest concerns regarding college are student loan debts.
17. 38% of Zoomers place work-life balance as their number one priority when it comes to choosing an employer.
(Connecteam)
For Zoomers, work-life balance is more important than the salary. Generation Z core values in the workplace, besides the work-life balance, include positive relationships with their coworkers, authenticity, transparency, and feedback.
18. 22% of Gen Zers are raised by at least one immigrant parent.
(Pew Research Center)
Gen Zers are less likely to be immigrants than Millennials. Only 6% of them are immigrants, whereas 7% of millennials were born outside the US.
However, Gen Zers are much more likely to have immigrant parents than millennials (14%).
19. 25% of Gen Zers are Hispanic, demographics from 2019 show.
(Pew Research Center)
Gen Z and diversity also go hand in hand. Namely, 1 in 4 Gen Zers in the US is Hispanic, which has never happened before!
Besides Caucasians, there’s also a considerable number of Black (14%), Asian (6%), and other (5%) Zoomers, making them a truly melting-pot generation.
Generation Z Behaviors & Preferences
What do Zoomers care about the most?
20. 48% of Gen Zers say that same-sex marriages are good for society.
(Pew Research Center)
When it comes to Generation Z and social issues, they are pretty interested in them too. Almost half of them believe that gay and lesbian marriages are good. In contrast, merely 15% of Gen Zers consider them bad for society. The remaining 36% stated that it doesn’t make a difference.
21. A whopping 54% of Gen Zers blame human activity as the #1 cause for climate change.
(Pew Research Center)
Despite being young, Gen Zers are incredibly eco-conscious. For them, the human factor is the number one reason for Earth’s warmer climate. On the other hand, merely 14% of Gen Zers believe natural patterns are to blame.
22. 71% of Gen Zers would love to learn how to cook.
(Foodable Network)
Judging how the Gen Z age range is on the younger side (namely, 5–24 years), it’s only natural that the vast majority of them are still learning how to cook properly. Nevertheless, more than half of them say that they enjoy cooking (53%).
Yet, merely 26% of them actually prepare their own meals — mostly eggs, pasta, rice, and cookies, among other foods.
23. Zoomers spend 23% of their budget on food.
(Lifestyle Asia)
Generation Z spending habits also include food. However, instead of going for lunch or dinner in restaurants, Zoomers prefer to eat quick meals and snacks.
For instance, 54% prefer healthy snacks, and only 3% choose fruits, vegetables, or nuts as their snack. The most popular snacks among Zoomers are Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Cheez-It, and Oreo cookies.
24. A staggering 70% of Gen Zers are subscribed to Netflix.
(Statista)
As far as Gen Z trends from 2020 are concerned, Zoomers are quick to adapt and follow all the latest rage, especially the tech ones. For instance, 70% of Gen Zers are currently subscribed to Netflix, compared to Baby Boomers with just 39% of subscribers.
25. 70% of Gen Zers follow at least one influencer.
(Mobile Marketer)
Speaking of trends, Zoomers often follow influencers. More precisely, based on Generation Z statistics, about 87% of them follow at least one influencer with a different race or ethnicity. The most common platforms for these activities are Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat.
Interestingly, around 44% of Gen Zers purchased an item or service due to influencer recommendations.
26. 40% of 19-year-old Zoomers in the US don’t have a driver’s license.
(Ratchet and Wrench) (Motor Authority)
In addition to that, according to one survey, merely 35% of Zoomers are enthusiastic about driving. On the other hand, Zoomers are big fans of collectible or classic cars. Namely, 22% of Gen Zers own a classic car, and 53% would like to own a collectible (or classic) vehicle one day.
4 Generation Z Facts That Make Them Unique
Here are some fun things you didn’t know about Zoomers.
27. Gen Z is the loneliest generation in the US.
(Addiction Center)
According to one study, Gen Z scored 48.3 overall on the loneliness scale — the highest of any generation. Millennials follow suit with 45.3, Gen X with 45.1, Baby Boomers with 42.4. The Silent Generation scored the lowest — merely 38.6.
28. Gen Zers are enrolling for college more than any other generation before them.
(Pew Research Center)
43% of Gen Zers live with at least one parent with a bachelor’s degree, which is a lot more than millennials back in 2002 (32%) — hence the influence.
Also, seeing how Generation Z years are up to 24, many of them are old enough to attend college.
29. About a third of Gen Zers know someone who uses a gender-neutral pronoun.
(Quartz)
Gen Zers have some groundbreaking attitudes. More than half of them (59%) believe that forms should not inquire about a person’s gender, nor should they be limited to just male and female options.
They are also the generation with the most acquaintances that use gender-neutral pronouns (35%), compared to Millennials (25%) and Gen Xers (16%), Generation Z facts show.
30. 46% of Gen Zers say people should be more careful when it comes to offensive language.
(Pew Research Center)
Gen Z’s opinions vary immensely when it comes to the use of offensive language. Despite 46% of them claiming that people should be more careful with their use of language, another 53% believe that people are too easily offended.
Gen Z vs Millennials: 5 Main Differences
What are the main differences between the two generations?
31. Millennials are more likely to pay extra cash for customer experience.
(Salesforce)
Customer service is very important to millennials, so much so that 76% are willing to pay more money to get the best experience possible, compared to “just” 71% of Zoomers who declare the same.
32. Zoomers are more pragmatic than millennials, who tend to be more idealistic.
(Salesforce)
Millennials and Zoomers grew up in different social and economic times. Unlike millennials, who grew up during the economic boom, Zoomers had to face recession and unemployment caused by the stock market crash.
33. Generation Z statistics show Zoomers are all about saving money.
(Salesforce)
Zoomers might seem too conservative when it comes to money, given that they are more interested in saving money than spending it. In contrast, millennials are all about the experience of buying a product.
34. Zoomers will pay more than millennials for sustainable products.
(Forbes)
Millennials and Zoomers prefer to wear sustainable products when it comes to fashion, and both are willing to pay more money (54% vs. 50%, respectively). Similarly, 59% of Gen Zers and 57% of millennials prefer buying upcycled goods.
35. Gen Z’s successors are called Generation Alpha.
(McCrindle) (Huffington Post)
Gen Alpha is going to be the first generation that’s born entirely in the 21st century. Gen Alpha members are born between 2010 (the year of iPad and Instagram) and 2025, mostly by millennial parents.
This generation will be shaped by technology and AI. What’s more, they are expected to be the wealthiest and longest-living generation thus far.
FAQs
How many Gen Z are there in the world?
When it comes to global stats, there are currently over 2 billion Zoomers. In other words, Gen Z makes up 30% of the world’s population. In the US, Zoomers make up 26% of the population (86.40 million to be precise).
Based on current predictions, Zoomers will make up 27% of the global workforce by 2025.
What percentage of consumers are Gen Z?
40% of US consumers are Gen Zers and they spend about $35 billion per year. That’s 72 times less than Millennials that spend $2.50 billion per year.
And unlike millennials, who are loyal to their favorite brands, Gen Z consumers are all about uniqueness. In other words, Zoomers spend most of their money on clothing and shoes (53%), eating out (50%), groceries (42%), personal care (31%), video games (28%), and events (22%).
What does Generation Z want?
In terms of working, the most important thing for Zoomers is to have an employer who cares about their physical and emotional health.
Besides physical wellness, Zoomers want their bosses to be ethical and supportive, especially on the subject of workplace diversity. It’s all about appreciation and respect.
And finally, Gen Z wants to work with socially responsible organizations.
What does Gen Z value most?
The most important thing for members of the Z generation is to make a difference. Zoomers care about the environment more than other generations. They are also big on ethical shopping.
Other values include caring about other people and formal volunteering. Zoomers believe that actions speak louder than words. However, they also believe in freedom of speech and authenticity.
Is Gen Z the most educated generation?
Although Zoomers were on the right path to becoming the most educated generation, the pandemic had a say in the matter. Due to lockdowns and the closing of schools, Zoomers had to delay their educational progress.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, 55 million children have stayed at home to prevent the spreading of the virus. The situation was similar with students, who are now lagging behind their studies.
What generation comes after Gen Z?
After Zoomers, the next generation will be called Gen Alpha (named after the Greek letter). Children born between 2010 and 2025 belong to the mentioned generation.
What will Gen Alpha be like? Given that they are born in the age of technology, many believe they will be better educated and wealthier than other generations.
The most popular Gen Alpha names so far are Olivia, Oliver, Noah, Ava, Amelia, and William.
Final Thoughts
Generation Z — Earth’s largest age group — is a generation of progressive, open-minded young individuals who have strong values, beliefs, and attitudes, looking to make a lasting difference.
As the latest Generation Z statistics have shown, this particular age group is striving to make both our present and future better, not just for us but also for the generations to follow.
Sources:
- Addiction Center
- AECF
- American Express
- Business Insider
- Connecteam
- Digital Information World
- Digital Marketing Community
- Foodable Network
- Forbes
- Gallup
- Huffington Post
- Knoema
- Lifestyle Asia
- McCrindle
- Mobile Marketer
- Motor Authority
- Neal Sivadas
- NonProfitPro
- Pew Research Center
- Pew Research Center
- Pew Research Center
- Quartz
- Question the Quo
- Ratchet and Wrench
- Salesforce
- Statista
- Statista
- Statista
- Statista
- The Atlantic
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- The World Economic Forum
- Variety
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- Voice of America
- Weforum
- Ypulse