According to Gen Z Statistics, Generation Z, often referred to as Gen Z, is the demographic cohort that follows the millennials and is generally defined as the generation born between the mid-1990s and the early 2010s. While there is no universally agreed-upon timeline for exact birth years, Gen Z is typically considered to include individuals born from around 1995 to 1010.
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- Generation Z comprises approximately 26% of the global population.
- The birth years for Generation Z typically range from the mid-1990s to the early 2010s. However, there is no universally agreed-upon definition for the exact birth year range.
- Generation Z is the most racially and ethnically diverse generation in the United States, with 48% being non-white.
- Around 95% of Generation Z owns or has access to a smartphone, making them the first truly “digital native” generation.
- Generation Z is highly active on social media platforms, with 98% of individuals aged 18-24 using at least one social media platform regularly.
- In terms of education, 59% of Generation Z plans to pursue a college degree.
- Approximately 61% of Generation Z is concerned about the environment and believes that companies should take more action to address climate change.
- Mental health issues are a significant concern for Generation Z, with 91% reporting experiencing symptoms of stress and anxiety.
Generation Z General Statistics
- There are currently 68.6 million Generation Zs living in the US.
- 64% use Instagram at least once daily.
- climate change is Gen Z’s greatest fear and they are more likely than other generations to seek therapy or mental health services for treatment.
- Over one-third of social media influencers belong to Generation Z.
- 40% of Gen Zs say they plan on leaving their job within the next two years.
- Gen Z will become the majority non-white by 2026 in the US.
- 44% of Gen Zs grew up living with parents holding bachelor’s degrees or higher by 2019 compared to only 33% of millennials in 2003.
- over a third are either employed (part- or full-time), self-employed, or students; 51% still attend school full-time and are 51% still students.
- With many postponing parenthood until later on in life, only 11% have married or had children before entering adulthood.
- 55% of Generation Zs say they are extremely interested in environmental issues.
- 36% of Gen Zs were involved in some form of political activism in 2020.
- Generation Z is the largest generational cohort, comprising approximately 32% of the global population.
- The global population of Generation Z is estimated to be around 2 billion people.
Population Size and Age Distribution of Generation Z
- Generation Z is generally defined as individuals born between the mid-1990s and the early 2010s.
- The birth year range for Generation Z is commonly considered to be from 1997 to 2012.
- As of 2023, the current age range for Generation Z is approximately 11 to 26 years old.
- The age distribution within Generation Z varies based on the specific year and region. However, a rough estimate suggests that the majority of Generation Z individuals would fall within the 15 to 24 age group.
- The global population of Generation Z is estimated to be around 2 billion people.
- In the United States, Generation Z is estimated to have a population of approximately 67 million as of 2021.
- Generation Z makes up a significant portion of the global and national populations. In many countries, they represent around 25% to 30% of the total population.
Education and Employment Trends among Generation Z
Education
- Among 18- to 21-year-olds who were no longer in high school in 2022, 57% of Generation Z were enrolled in a two-year or four-year college.
- In comparison, 52% of Millennials in 2003 and 43% of Generation X in 1987 were enrolled in college at the same age.
- Second-generation Hispanic youth within Generation Z are less likely to drop out of high school and more likely to attend college than foreign-born Hispanic youth.
Parental Education
- In 2019, 44% of Generation Zers ages 7 to 17 were living with a parent who had a bachelor’s degree or higher education.
- This is higher than the 33% of Millennials who had a parent with a bachelor’s degree or higher when they were the same age.
Employment
- Among Gen Z teens (ages 15 to 17) in 2021, only 18% were employed.
- In comparison, 27% of Millennial teens in 2002 and 41% of Gen Xers in 1986 were employed at the same age.
- Among young adults ages 18 to 22, 62% of Generation Z were employed in 2022. This is lower than the employment rates of 71% for Millennials and 79% for Gen Xers when they were a comparable age.
Internet and Social Media use among Gen Z
- Approximately 98% of Generation Z (ages 13-24) individuals use the internet regularly.
- On average, Gen Z spends about 6 hours and 40 minutes online each day.
- Popular online activities among Gen Z include social media, streaming videos, online gaming, and browsing the web.
- Gen Z is the most active generation on social media, with around 90% having at least one social media account.
- The most popular social media platforms among Gen Z include Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube.
- Gen Z individuals spend an average of 2 hours and 55 minutes per day on social media platforms.
- Instagram is the preferred social media platform for brand discovery and product research among Gen Z, with 80% of users following at least one brand.
- Around 45% of Gen Z individuals have taken steps to protect their online privacy, such as using private browsing or clearing their browser history.
- Gen Z is more likely to prioritize platforms that prioritize privacy and data security.
- Cyberbullying is a significant concern for Gen Z, with around 59% reporting having witnessed someone being bullied online.
Shopping Habits of Gen Z
- 81% of Gen Zers conduct online research before making a purchase.
- 85% of Gen Zers read reviews before making a purchase decision.
- 62% of Gen Zers prefer to see reviews from people they know or trust.
- 70% of Gen Zers use their smartphones for shopping.
- 62% of Gen Zers are comfortable with mobile-only checkouts.
- 51% of Gen Zers have made a purchase directly through a social media platform.
- 72% of Gen Zers prefer to shop in physical stores.
- 80% of Gen Zers like to see, touch, and try products before purchasing.
- 47% of Gen Zers are more likely to buy a product if they can personalize it in-store.
- 66% of Gen Zers have made a purchase based on a recommendation from a social media influencer.
- 63% of Gen Zers follow influencers on social media to discover new products.
- 59% of Gen Zers say that they trust influencers more than traditional celebrities.
- 67% of Gen Zers say that discounts and promotions influence their purchasing decisions.
- 60% of Gen Zers are more likely to purchase from a brand that supports causes they care about.
- 50% of Gen Zers believe it is important for brands to take a stand on social issues.
