Social Issues That Matter to Generation Z
With technology at their fingertips — and a regular tool in their growing hands — Gen Zers have been able to connect to cultures around the world and learn about issues and news earlier and more often than any generation before them. This broad cultural exposure from an early age likely contributes to Generation Z’s tendency towards open-mindedness, liberal views and advocacy for the fair and equal treatment of others.
Eight Top Social Issues for Gen Z
Eight issues, in particular, have commanded the attention of Generation Z so far. These are: 1) health care access; 2) mental health; 3) higher education; 4) economic security; 5) civic engagement; 6) racial equity; 7) the environment; and 8) gun violence.
1. Health Care Access
Health care is a core issue for Generation Z. Almost nine in 10 Gen Zers ages 18 to 24 view access to health care as a human right, according to a national poll in 2022. In addition to access, they see affordability and quality as key system issues to improve. As part of this issue, access to reproductive health care, specifically, has emerged as a top priority for Gen Z young adults.
When it comes to their own health care, nearly one in five (17%) Gen Zers ages 18 to 24 did not have health insurance in the fall of 2022, according to Census Bureau data. This high uninsured rate is especially concerning given that adolescents and young adults generally have low levels of health care access to begin with — and this is a vulnerable phase of development in which significant physiological changes are taking place.
The age span of 14 through 24, which currently represents Gen Z (ages 12 to 27 in 2024), marks a formative stage in the lifespan, when youth must navigate increasing autonomy while forming their identities and building socioemotional and life skills. This emerging independence is critical in the health care context, as young people must learn to traverse the health care system, develop health literacy and take charge of their own health needs.
While young adults who have health insurance often are covered by their parents’ plans, the oldest members of Gen Z have aged out of their parents’ plans and are investing in their own insurance for the first time. Many can only afford coverage through the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansion.
When it comes to health care, youth today generally have a holistic view – believing providers should screen for social determinants of health such as food insecurity and housing needs – and they value self-care, convenience and efficiency. Thanks to evolving technology, they are growing up within a medical system offering unprecedented online options for connecting with physicians, health coaches, therapists and others — as well as self-monitoring digital tools — empowering them to gather information, learn and manage their health needs.
At the same time, Gen Zers are less likely to have primary care providers relative to older Americans, and they frequently prefer telemedicine to traditional in-person visits, especially those with geographic or transportation barriers. However, maintaining confidentiality in telehealth appointments is a concern for some young people, especially when they still live at home or lack a private setting. Adolescents and young adults often have unique and sensitive health needs, such as reproductive or mental health issues, that require confidential care.
Gen Z also believes that racial inequities exist in the health care system, and many report their own experiences of discrimination in health care settings. Medical providers can respond by ensuring that they provide culturally responsive services grounded in positive youth development principles, whether virtually or in person.
2. Mental Health
Mental health is a crisis in America, according to more than eight in 10 Gen Zers. This generation is far more likely to report emotional health problems than older age groups. A 2022 survey of U.S. young adults ages 18 to 29 found that about half reported “always” or “often” feeling anxious in the past year, compared to one-third of adults overall. In addition, a multi-year Gen Z study found that they were 83% more likely to report anxiety issues and 86% more likely to report depression compared with other generations. Members of Gen Z are concerned about this crisis affecting their age group, but they tend to be pragmatic about addressing it and they are helping to destigmatize the issue. They are more accepting of and open to talking about depression, anxiety and other emotional challenges than older generations.
While technology and social media can foster critical social support and connections for young people, they can also augment anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and stress. Contributing to this, tragic U.S. and world news is now delivered faster than ever — and difficult to avoid — via an assortment of apps and outlets. Gen Zers report serious concerns about homelessness, gun violence, systemic discrimination, climate change and more. Other major stressors for Gen Z in recent years include the COVID-19 pandemic, high housing costs, and personal finances.
Fortunately, today’s young adults are more likely to seek treatment for their anxiety and depression than older age groups. Nearly one in three (31%) young adults ages 18 to 29 reported receiving mental health care in the previous year, compared to one in four (25%) adults ages 30 to 49 and less than one in five (18%) ages 50 to 64, according to the 2022 survey noted above. Other studies note similar trends. At the same time, young people who need treatment do not always get it. In 2022, almost half (47%) of young adults said they did not get mental health care when they thought they might need it in the previous year, with cost cited among the top barriers. Lower-income and LGBTQ groups tend to be particularly vulnerable, both in terms of accessing treatment and experiencing poor mental health outcomes.
Read more about Generation Z and Mental Health
3. Higher Education
Higher education is one of the top issues Generation Z cares about. The vast majority (83%) of U.S. Gen Zers ages 12 to 26 believe a college education is “very important” or “fairly important,” according to a 2023 Gallup survey. Consistent with this, members of Generation Z are the least likely to drop out of high school and the most likely to go to college compared to older generations, according to the Pew Research Center.
However, only about half (53%) of college-bound Gen Zers thought they could afford it, based on the same 2023 survey. While concerns about college affordability were consistent across all demographic groups, Black Gen Zers were the least likely to think they could afford it (39%). Researchers note that this could contribute to lower college enrollment and completion rates among Black students.
As learners, Gen Zers are interested in acquiring career skills, and they value flexible and personalized teaching approaches. They are independent, creative, hands-on and tech-savvy students who prefer immersive, active educational experiences versus passively sitting and listening to lectures for hours. Of course, they are a diverse group with different backgrounds and learning styles, which is partly why flexibility and multiple modes of learning (e.g., visual, auditory, kinesthetic, e‑learning, self-discovery, etc.) work well for them.
The pandemic knocked a significant share of students off their academic path. For instance: In October 2020, more than 40% of households reported that a prospective student was canceling plans to attend community college, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Since the pandemic, college enrollment rates have continued to decline, especially among two-year institutions, and graduation rates have stagnated. Gen Zers are increasingly taking unconventional pathways through higher education, such as changing schools, moving across state lines, adjusting course loads and/or pausing and restarting enrollment. It remains to be seen how Gen Z uncertainty about college affordability may affect future attendance rates.
Recognizing the range of issues facing Gen Z, leaders in higher education and other sectors can prioritize a holistic approach to student well-being that addresses their financial, mental and physical health needs, as well as racial, gender and LGBTQ+ equity.
Read more about Generation Z and Education
4. Economic Security
Economic security matters to Gen Z. Multiple studies have reported that personal finances, jobs, debt, the cost of living and housing insecurity are major sources of stress for Gen Z. In 2023, almost two-thirds (64%) of Gen Zers ages 12 to 26 said financial resources were a barrier to their future goals. They want to have stable, well-paying jobs, affordable housing and to avoid crippling college debt. Many also see a role for government in supporting the economic security of Americans. More than two-thirds (70%) of Gen Zers think the U.S. government should provide a universal basic income for all individuals, compared to 61% of the overall population, according to the Center for Generational Kinetics’ 2023 State of Gen Z report.
Gen Z has been through considerable turmoil, economic and otherwise, in their young lives to date — a global pandemic and economic downturn, climate disasters, numerous political and societal crises, historically fast interest rate hikes, high inflation and more. But they are resilient and continue to adapt. When asked in 2023 about their financial goals, Gen Z overwhelmingly reported that they are currently focused on saving and earning money, with older Gen Zers also focused on paying off debt. Unfortunately, two in five (41%) members of Gen Z say they have no money saved for an emergency, according to the State of Gen Z report.
When it comes to earning money, Gen Zers are career-focused, competitive and interested in forging their own paths. They have an entrepreneurial mindset and are open to challenging the traditional rat race. Quite a few of these youth believe that college isn’t the only path to reach their goals, with nearly one in five saying college is not that important, and nearly half having an informal or formal job on the side (a “side hustle”).
When it comes to choosing career paths, only 29% of Gen Zers plan to pursue an occupation related to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), which are widely considered the jobs of the future. STEM sectors are already experiencing labor shortages, and jobs in these areas are expected to grow substantially in the coming decades. U.S. leaders are grappling with how to prepare today’s young people for tomorrow’s workforce needs.
5. Civic Engagement
Members of Generation Z are passionate about advocating for social change.
They are politically engaged and believe that the government should do more to address society’s problems. Recent surveys show that the top priorities for Gen Z include: climate change, access to reproductive health care, cost of living (and housing), jobs that pay a living wage, gun violence and racial justice. A 2022 poll also found that about three-quarters of Gen Z young adults (including politically conservative young people) support government policies to reduce the wealth gap between the richest and poorest Americans.
Gen Zers see voting as a responsibility and a way to achieve change. Accordingly, in the November 2022 election, Gen Z voters turned out at a higher rate than millennials and Gen Xers at the same age. This is part of an ongoing trend in which Gen Z’s 2020 presidential election turnout was almost a 10-point increase from their 2016 rate, and they are credited with helping to shape the 2020 election results. Since 2022, Gen Z has added 8.3 million eligible voters, and they are on track to have more than 40 million total eligible voters in 2024.
Gen Zers are also comfortable driving change. A 2023 report on Gen Z found that they are 92% more likely than previous generations to engage in public protests. Using platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, these youth have helped move activism into the digital age. And, along the way, they’ve offered the world a master class in harnessing the power of social media to spotlight a specific cause or an issue that they want to see change. Gen Z is 68% more likely to engage in political issues through social media than millennials, Gen Xers or other generations, according to the same report.
Some examples to date: Members of Generation Z organized marches nationwide after a gunman killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Swedish teen and environmental activist Greta Thunberg leveraged social media to captivate the world and challenge leaders to take action against climate change. And 23-year-old Malala Yousafzai, who blogged about her right to education, kicked off a feminist movement in the Middle East en route to winning a Nobel Peace Prize.
Gen Z recognizes the power of social media to mobilize the public, and nearly all U.S. members of Gen Z — 98% — report daily use of at least one major social media platform.
6. Racial Equity
Racial equity is a key social issue for Generation Z.
Gen Zers are more racially and ethnically diverse than previous generations, with nearly half of the group’s members representing communities of color. Fittingly, this group strongly values inclusion, cultural diversity and racial and ethnic equality.
Today’s young people are also acutely aware of the nation’s steep racial divides.
One recent poll — conducted by the Association of American Medical Colleges Center for Health Justice with Gen Zers ages 18 to 24 — found that three in five respondents believe racial justice should be a top priority for the federal government. Further, the poll found that:
- Two in three Gen Zers think systemic racism is a public health crisis and makes it harder for people of color to access health care.
- More than three-quarters believe that racial residential segregation and discrimination in housing should be a priority for the federal government.
- Three in five have little to no confidence in the U.S. criminal justice system’s ability to treat individuals equally. Trust in the police is particularly low among those who have personally experienced discrimination.
Gen Z does not stop at racial equity, though. They value fairness and equality in all facets of life, and they are passionate about LGBTQ+ rights, as well. To date, they are the generation most likely to have members who identify as non-binary or third gender. More than one in five U.S. Gen Z adults identifies as LGBTQ+, according to a 2023 survey.
7. Environment
The worsening effects of climate change are impacting the lives of Gen Z, spurring deep anxiety but also activism.
Gen Zers around the world are experiencing “eco-anxiety.” A recent international study of 10,000 young people ages 16 to 25 in 10 countries found that over 80% were worried about the climate crisis, with many reporting feelings of sadness, anxiety, anger, powerlessness, helplessness and guilt. In the United States, more than 70% of Gen Zers ages 18 to 24 believe climate change is an immediate and long-term threat to the planet’s safety and that the government should strengthen policies to reduce CO2 emissions.
Not surprisingly, Gen Zers believe that institutions and businesses have an obligation to take a stand on environmental issues, according to a 2023 Gen Z study. And these young people will support those that do. For example, one in five Gen Zers said that a brand’s position on issues would affect whether or not they buy from them. Additionally, nearly a third said they would buy more sustainable goods if brands had clearer labels or better information on the product’s climate impact.
Beyond expecting companies to fall in line, young people are also committed to leading by example. Several recent studies have found that Gen Z is willing to pay more for sustainable products, with one finding that 90% of Gen Zers purchased such products, while the same was true for 85% of millennials, 84% of Gen Xers and 78% of Baby Boomers.
8. Gun Violence
Gen Z considers gun violence a major issue. As a generation growing up with mass shootings and active shooter drills in schools, they are more likely than millennials to rank gun violence among their top three priorities, according to a 2022 national survey by Tufts University. Another poll that year found that seven in 10 Gen Z young adults see this as a public health issue.
Tragically, the data bear out their concerns. A 2023 analysis by the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions found that firearm deaths are at an all-time high: 48,830 Americans died as a result of gun violence in 2021 (the most recent data in the report), more than 2020’s record-breaking number. The rate of gun deaths also increased by 22% between 2019 and 2021. This increase has been fueled by both gun homicides and suicides. Gen Z’s focus on gun violence, including suicides, closely connects to their concern about the mental health crisis.
Guns are also the leading cause of death for children, youth and young adults, as reported in the Johns Hopkins analysis. Black young people experience gun violence at especially alarming rates. For instance, in 2021, more than half (51%) of all Black Gen Zers ages 15 to 19 who died were killed by firearms. Further, Black kids and teens were about five times as likely as their white peers to die from gun violence that year, according to the Pew Research Center. The disproportionate impact of firearm violence on people of color intersects with Gen Z’s strong focus on racial justice.
Recognizing Generation Z’s passion and willingness to engage in social activism, they will no doubt continue to make their voices heard on this issue.
Learn More About Generation Z
Understanding Generation Z is critical for shaping the future of the nation in a positive way. Explore additional Annie E. Casey Foundation resources to learn more about America’s younger generations, including Generation Z and Generation Alpha:
- What the Statistics Say About Generation Z
- Statistics Snapshot: Generation Z and Education
- Core Characteristics of Generation Z
- The Changing Child Population of the United States
- KIDS COUNT Adds New Dataset on Youth and Young Adults Ages 14 to 24, Capturing Most Gen Zers
- Generation Z and Mental Health
- Social Media’s Concerning Effect on Teen Mental Health
KIDS COUNT Data Center indicators on Gen Z and other generations:
- Population size by Gen Alpha, Gen Z, millennials, Gen X and baby boomers, by race and ethnicity
- People living in poverty by generation
- People living in poverty by generation and race and ethnicity
- People living in low-income households by generation
- People living in low-income households by generation and race and ethnicity
Sign up for our newsletters to get the latest data and other resources.
