Gen Z’s Reality Check: Inside the mind of today’s teens and young adults

Well-being of Gen Z - Gallup's study indicates that just under half of Gen Z members (ages 13-28) are thriving in their overall well-being [3] - There's a significant decline in well-being among older Gen Z members (ages 18-28), particularly those in post-secondary pathways or recently entering the workforce [3] - Only 39% of those ages 18-20 are thriving, compared to 56% of those ages 13-18, a 17 percentage point gap [4][6] - Completing or enrolling in a post-secondary pathway is correlated with a higher likelihood of thriving among those ages 18-28 [7] Student Engagement - Younger Gen Z members (middle and high school age) show optimism and increased engagement in school from 2024 to 2025 [8][9] - Less than half of younger Gen Z members feel teachers are reaching them in an interesting way from a content perspective [10] - Approximately one-third of younger Gen Z members feel their teachers are connecting the curriculum to the real world [10] Underlying Issues - The study highlights a rising trend of sadness, anxiety, loneliness, and depression among young people, predating the pandemic [12][13] Recommendations - The report suggests reaching and teaching young people from an earlier age to address well-being challenges [13]