Gen Z Around the World

This chapter offers information about the formation of the peer personality of generations, with a specific focus on the global peer personality of Generation Z as found in the Global Gen Z Study. An explanation of the study's data collection procedures, including existing validated scales used within the survey, and data analysis methods, including the use of regionally disaggregated groups from the World Values Survey (World Values Survey Association, 2022), is discussed.

Like every generation before them, Gen Zers possess a specific set of attributes. For example, they identify as loyal, thoughtful, compassionate, and responsible. They share their sense of ingenuity and resourcefulness with their Gen X parental generation and embrace diversity and inclusion like their older millennial counterparts. And, they connect with their baby boomer grandparents with their shared sense of responsibility. Generation Z is motivated by achievement and making a difference. Although some believe others will let them down, the majority are optimistic about their futures and believe good things will happen for them.

The pursuit of happiness as a fundamental human goal is an ancient and widely discussed concept. Recent studies have noted that Gen Zers experience higher levels of stress than previous generations. At the same time, findings of the global study show that while Gen Zers are not overly optimistic, they are realistic, somewhat flexible and adaptable to situations, socially connected, and engaged and committed to making a difference in the world. While these qualities may at least partly mitigate stress levels and contribute to Gen Z's happiness, resilience should be cultivated in Gen Z.

The rise of the digital era has greatly transformed communication, enabling it to transcend time and geographic boundaries. Generation Z grew up in this era and was exposed to a wide range of communication options, including in-app messaging, video calls, and social media platforms. Increased connectivity made possible by technological advancements has resulted in changes in communication etiquette and opened up more room for miscommunication. Despite heavily engaging in digital communication like text or in-app messaging, this generation still prefers to communicate face-to-face.

Having good relationships with friends and a trusting romantic partnership are extremely important for members of Generation Z. In social relationships with other young people, they experience solidarity and support with problems and crises, and learn to stand by others. Young people are therefore intensely concerned with how to enter into relationships and their expectations of them. Overwhelmingly, what they are looking for in friendships is similar across cultures – a set of shared values and similar hobbies. For romantic relationships, though, shared values and close proximity are key.

Gen Zers are immensely family-oriented, valuing the connections they have with their parents and siblings. Growing up, Gen Zers were often supervised by their caregivers and grew up becoming more reliant on the attachment figures in their lives. In turn, they often have significant influence on their families, especially in terms of finance- and education-related decision-making. This can be attributed to the tech-savvy nature that enables them to efficiently seek out information online. Overall, Generation Z values having a loving family, and many desire a fulfilling life with a partner and children.

This chapter provides an overview of the factors influencing interpersonal dynamics in contemporary culture, including high levels of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA), new technologies, growing competition for resources, highly diverse societies, and changing needs of professions and their likely effect on Generation Z's perspectives on interpersonal dynamics. Gen Zers prefer to do a task than lead it; like to work in groups; and are motivated by relational indicators. Overall, this is a generation that wants to come together to find solutions to epic challenges.

This chapter explores Generation Z's perceptions of learning. Learning can be viewed from three distinct lenses: effectiveness, enjoyment, and engagement of various modalities. Modalities include demonstrated (watch in person), video-based (watch online), intrapersonal (independent), interpersonal (in collaboration with others), social (among others but not working together), and experiential (doing). Effectiveness involves the extent that a certain modality is effective for learning. Enjoyment is reflective of preference and satisfaction with different modalities. Finally, engagement is the actual utilization of specific modalities.

Many in Generation Z are concerned about health, nutrition, and lifestyle. They are sensitive to the social determinants of health, represented through concerns about access to health care, viable and affordable housing, poverty, and unemployment. They are also concerned about food choices, their environmental footprint, and the way food is produced. There is similarly high awareness about the importance of nutrition for health. Despite engaging in physical exercise, Generation Z is also exposed to the risks associated with obesity and sedentary lifestyle.

The importance of well-being at all ages is well-argued theoretically and experimentally, with it having a special place during adolescence and young adulthood, largely because of its association with mental health. Thus, it is important to better understand influences affecting the well-being of Generation Z and explore plans for adequate interventions. In addition, with factors pointing to high psychological well-being among Gen Zers, there are grounds for positive expectations for this generation. This can help optimize programs to improve mental health at a young age, which has important implications for the whole life spectrum.

Generation Z continues to face several significant life events that have influenced how they address financial-related problems and manage their money. In addition to worrying about their incomes, access to affordable healthcare and higher education as well as poverty is perceived as the main financial-related issues of concern. COVID-19 might also have strengthened the financial-related awareness of Generation Z, as half of the Global Gen Z Study participants changed spending habits during the pandemic.

With reduced income and job prospects, many young people are challenged by economic insecurity and struggling to meet their basic needs. In addition, financial stress during the pandemic disrupted many industries, leading to the closure of businesses and downsizing of the workforce. As a result, many Gen Z workers entered their careers during a time in which it was challenging to secure jobs in their desired fields. Despite the circumstances, Gen Zers have clear values related to their professional lives. These include workplace flexibility, financial security, mental well-being, and meaningful work.

Generation Z is already an influential global cohort with strong stances about social, economic, and climate justice. According to the Global Gen Z Survey, worries about racism, sexism, limitations on personal freedom and homophobia are the top social justice concerns while education, poverty, access to health care, access to viable and affordable housing, and cost of higher education top the list of economic justice concerns. Added to the list of concerns is climate change, including its intragenerational and intergenerational impacts, and in the words of one participant, “none of the rest… matter if we don't have a planet to live on.”

Generation Z has already begun to impact our world, particularly through their social change behaviors, personal characteristics, volunteering, and entrepreneurial endeavors. In particular, Gen Zers around the world like to stay informed of societal issues, share information with others about those issues, and engage in personal behaviors and/or lifestyle changes to address those issues.

Regardless of nationality, culture, or region of the world, one thing is true – Generation Z wants to make a difference. They are motivated by impacting others, want careers that have purpose and meaning, and find solace in shared values and interpersonal connections. Overwhelmingly, they believe that their ability to be loving, kind, respectful, and inclusive can create a more unified and connected world. They also believe that if they work together to find common ground as well as educate themselves and others, their generation can take individual actions and develop innovative solutions to address monumental world problems.

This chapter offers a summary of the highlights from each chapter, culminating in the construction of the global peer personality profile of Generation Z. Characteristics, motivations, interpersonal connections, learning and communication preferences, values and concerns, career aspirations, and social impact are discussed.