Generation Z in Australia - statistics & facts
Close to one-fifth of Australia’s population belongs to Generation Z. Sandwiched between their Millennial predecessors and Generation Alpha successors, Generation Z includes those born between the mid-to-late 1990s and the early 2010s, although there is no official date range. Gen Z, iGen, post-millennials, Zoomers: the names for Generation Z are as diverse as its cohort. Gen Z is made up of ‘digital natives,’ as Gen Zers form the first generation who never knew the world without the internet. But technology is not the sole characteristic that sets Zoomers apart from other generational groups; Zoomers are said to be pragmatic and flexible and have shown keen interest in climate change and other world issues, as well as championing diversity and inclusivity.
As more Zoomers begin to enter adulthood and comprise a larger share of the workforce, Australian employers should consider the characteristics and preferences of Gen Zers to assist with employee attainment and retention.
The mental health of Generation Z
Young people in Australia are more likely to experience mental health disorders than older Australians. In 2022, close to six in ten young Australians aged 15-19 reported seeking mental health support. Although Gen Z is considered technologically savvy and has access to a range of online mental health services and resources, face-to-face mental health support was preferred by the highest share of young people in Australia. At the same time, around one-fifth of Gen Z preferred online support. Globally, Generation Z was the most likely to consider social media as having a negative impact on well-being, while nonetheless spending more time online than any other generation.Digital natives in their online habitat
As digital natives, Zoomers are unsurprisingly active online. They engage in a wide range of online activities, including online shopping, networking on social media, communicating with friends, listening to music, streaming videos, and internet banking. The generation’s online activities often intertwine, with Zoomers more likely than other generations to purchase items online from social media influencers. It is expected that by 2025, Gen Z will account for close to one-third of all social commerce globally, falling just behind the Millennials.As more Zoomers begin to enter adulthood and comprise a larger share of the workforce, Australian employers should consider the characteristics and preferences of Gen Zers to assist with employee attainment and retention.
