Is Gen-Z aging faster than other generations? (2024)

FAQs

Is Gen-Z aging faster than other generations? ›

This has led many young people to believe that their skin is aging more rapidly than their predecessors. But according to WebMD, dermatologists say that is just not true.

April 18, 2024 – The explosive rise in skin care “influencers” hawking product after product on social media has led many young people to seek anti-aging products and procedures even as experts say there is no actual evidence that Gen Z is aging faster than normal.

Gen Z (or Generation Z) grew up with rapid digital changes. As teens, Gen Zers experienced the boom of smartphones, wearables, and virtual assistants, among other disruptive tech. This immersion makes them open to integrating new technology into their lives. Gen Z is already using AI in their daily lives.

In other words, Boomers grew up more slowly than the Silent Generation. Millennials grew up more slowly than Gen Xers, and Gen Zers (born 1995-2012) are growing up more slowly than millennials.

Gen Z is the generation born in the 15-year span from 1997 to 2012. In 2024, they will turn between 12 and 27 years old. This is the newest generation to gain influence in the world, from joining the workforce to being old enough to vote.

Ultraviolet (UV) light and exposure to sunlight age your skin more quickly than it would age naturally.

Gen Z generally grew up with better technology than Millennials. They've had stuff like Web 2.0, smartphones, high definition TV, streaming media etc from birth or a very young age, so it's all they've ever known. Millennials were the last generation who had to adapt to these still current technologies.

The shift from Gen Z to Gen Alpha suggests a deeper integration of technology in daily life, heralding innovations in living, learning, and connecting. Challenges include ensuring digital equity, protecting mental health, and maintaining genuine human connections (United Nations).

These effects are already evident: Gen Z are saving significantly less money, and many are living pay-cheque-to-pay-cheque. They're also struggling more than other generations to hit essential milestones, like home-ownership; in the US, for instance, some 34% of Americans don't – and never expect to – own a home.

Not just growing pains: Gen Z reports suffering more than other generations did at their age. A new study from Gallup shows a crushing youth mental health crisis, because teens are more tuned in than ever.

Why do Gen Z feel old? ›

Due to so much information, Gen Z has turned into a generation that is young but has an aged-like mindset that is struck with constant fear and is critical of making mistakes. Failure to succeed in life socially, economically, family-wise, and career-wise has caused Gen Z to live in despair.

The members of Generation Z, the oldest of which are now in their 20s, on average are expected to live to 100 and beyond. Health technology may or may not eventually lift Gen Zers well past that. They could be the generation that collectively hits the biological ceiling.

Gen Z is 49% white compared to 56% of millennials, 61% of Gen Xers, 72% of baby boomers, and 80% of the Silent Generation. One-quarter of Gen Zers identify as Hispanic (26%) compared with 21% of millennials, 18% of Gen Xers, 11% of baby boomers, and 7% of the Silent Generation.

What years are Gen Alpha? The term "Generation Alpha" was coined by Mark McCrindle, a social analyst and demographer. McCrindle defines Generation Alpha, or Gen Alpha for short, as those born from 2010 to 2024. Currently, it is the youngest generation.

The oldest in the Gen Z cohort will be 27 in 2024, while the youngest will turn 12.

In addition to soaring food and housing expenses, millennials and Gen Z face other financial challenges their parents did not as young adults. Not only are their wages lower than their parents' earnings when they were in their 20s and 30s, but they are also carrying larger student loan balances.

As society progresses into the 21st century, attention is shifting from Generation Z — individuals born roughly between 1997 and 2012 — to Generation Alpha, the group starting from 2010 onward. These generations are distinct, each shaped by the technological, societal, and global contexts of their upbringing.