Make way Millennials, Gen Z is coming! Currently Gen Z is the largest generation: 32% percent of the world population belongs to those born between 1995 and 2015. Not only is Gen Z the largest generation, they are also the most ethnically diverse and highest-educated in history. Future employers finally started paying attention as the oldest of Gen Z are joining the work force en masse, leaving these employers scrambling to Google anything and everything about the latest generation. In June 2020, Gen Z has officially surpassed Millennials as a trending search term on Google.
It is time for us to get to know them better and explore what it is that drives this generation. Five facts from our report on Gen Z:
More gender flexibility
Gen Z is in favour of gender role flexibility (62% versus 55% among older generations) and at an increasing rate (+11% since 2014). Gender role flexibility could mean that boys are allowed to be emotional and girls are allowed to be strong, breaking 'traditional' role patterns. While this trend is nothing new, it has certainly gained more traction in recent years and Gen Z is embracing it more than the generations that went before them.
Less in favour of the patriarchy
The patriarchy can be described as a male-dominated society where men typically take on the role of authority or as the head of the household. Gen Z is less in favour of this model: 34% disagree with the father being the head of the household versus 30% among older generations), and this disagreement is increasing (+6% since 2014).
More in favour of same-sex marriage
Same sex marriage appears to be widely-accepted among Gen Z (60% versus 52% among older generations) and at an increasing rate (+5% since 2014)
More concerned about discrimination
Gen Z shares a high concern about discrimination: 26% worry about this topic vs. 17% among older generation.
More pessimistic
Even though Gen Z wants improve the world, in both areas of gender, sexuality and discrimination, they also appear more pessimistic than other generations: 46% of Gen Z feel pessimistic versus 37% of older generations and at an increasing rate (up 5% since 2014).
