Gen Z Reports Plummeting Life Satisfaction, Increased Depression

Young adults in the United States, particularly those in Generation Z, are experiencing a substantial decrease in life satisfaction and a rise in depression compared to previous generations, according to a recent poll. Less than half of individuals aged 18 to 29 currently describe their lives as "thriving," a notable drop from previous years.

The Gallup poll reveals that 27% of adults aged 18 to 29 are being treated for depression, an 11-point increase since 2019. This decline in well-being has been particularly sharp since 2019, with a significant downturn occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the percentage of young adults reporting their lives as "thriving" gradually decreased from 64% in 2010 to 57% in 2019, it fell to 39% in 2020. Although it partially recovered to 51% by 2023, it has since declined again. This trend is reflected across various measures of positivity, with fewer young adults reporting strong relationships with partners or friends, experiencing daily joy, or feeling active and productive.

Experts suggest that factors such as constant access to smartphones and social media, the isolating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic during formative years, and financial stressors like housing costs may be contributing to this trend. The pervasiveness of social media is also linked to higher rates of eating disorders and depression.

Beyond personal well-being, young adults also report a decrease in optimism about the future, with fewer indicating they have a leader who inspires enthusiasm or feeling satisfied with their standard of living compared to their peers. Additionally, the proportion of young adults who feel they have achieved most of their goals in the past year has also fallen.

While Gen Z shows the most pronounced decline, other generations are also experiencing a decrease in life satisfaction. Millennials, aged 30-44, have just 45% reporting they are "thriving." Gen X, aged 45-64, matches its lowest positivity rate from 2008 during the Great Recession. In contrast, Baby Boomers, aged 65 and older, are the only generation showing an increase in life evaluations compared to 2008, with their "thriving" rate rising steadily to 53%.