Life Satisfaction Among Gen Z Declines Significantly

Compared to Millennials a generation ago, Gen Z has experienced a notable decline in life satisfaction, with currently fewer than half of them rating their lives as “thriving.” This is a sharp drop from nearly half of young individuals who felt that way back in 2008.

A recent Life Evaluation Index poll indicates that over a quarter (27%) of adults aged 18 to 29 are undergoing treatment for depression, marking an 11-point increase since 2019.

Reports suggest that many young adults feel disconnected from friends and partners and are experiencing diminished joy. Moreover, less than a third believe they have achieved most of their goals over the past year.

According to Dr. Katrina Furey, a psychiatrist based in Connecticut, Gen Z has faced unique challenges, including constant access to smartphones and social media, a global pandemic, and significant financial pressures, particularly concerning housing. “The social isolation caused by COVID-19 during their formative years has had a lasting effect,” she noted.

Furey added that depression and loneliness heavily correlate with social connections, and she hears a lot of distress from this generation regarding their future.

The survey highlights that only 44% of young adults now consider themselves “thriving,” down from 64% within the same age group in 2010. Much of this decline happened after 2019, with a significant drop attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Interestingly, the proportion of “thriving” young adults declined slowly throughout the 2010s, from 64% to 57% in 2019, but plummeted to 39% by 2020. There was a slight recovery to just over half (51%) by 2023, but this figure has since decreased again.

Young adults have reported lower positivity in every key area, with less than half (47%) expressing that their relationship with their spouse, partner, or closest friend is stronger than ever, a decrease from 65% in 2019.

Only 64% of Gen Z reported feeling joy the previous day, which represents a 17-point drop from 2019. Additionally, only 28% indicated they felt active and productive for every day in the past week, a decrease of 16 points.

Furey emphasized that Gen Z is the first generation to grow up online, linking rising rates of eating disorders and depression to social media influence. She expressed concern that this factor contributes to their well-being.

Only one-third of Gen Z reported having a leader in their life who inspires hope about the future, down from 47% in 2019.

Another worrying statistic shows that just 41% felt satisfied with their standard of living compared to others, marking a decline of 14 points since 2019. Furthermore, less than a third (31%) said they managed to achieve most of their goals over the past year, down from 44%.

Interestingly, while Gen Z stands out as the least positive generation, they’re not alone in their feelings of discontent. Millennials also show a similar decline, with only 45% of those aged 30 to 44 considering themselves “thriving.”

Gen X hasn’t seen as steep a decline, but 46% of those aged 45 to 64 report thriving, a rate that matches their generation’s low at the peak of the Great Recession in 2008.

On a more positive note, Baby Boomers are doing better now than in 2008. The percentage of those aged 65 and older who say they are “thriving” has steadily risen from 38% in 2008 to 53% in 2026, matching their highest levels recorded in 2021.