What does Gen Z prioritize in life?
Wealth, Work and Happiness: The Life Goals of Gen Z by EduBirdie (2024) discusses the values and priorities of Generation Z. EduBirdie surveyed 2,000 members of Gen Z in the US to determine what they prioritize.
What gets Gen Z out of bed in the morning? While much has been written about the generation currently exploring adulthood, their motivations still remain a mystery to some.
To find out, EduBirdie surveyed 2,000 members of Generation Z in the US. This is what their answers revealed:
When it comes to life’s big questions, few divide opinions like whether to prioritize money over one’s own happiness. But has Generation Z made up their mind about their American Dream?
Our survey revealed that – surprise, surprise – today’s young adults are just as divided on that question as the rest of us. 37% said the most important thing was finding a job that they enjoyed, with 31% saying they preferred a job that paid well.
Others took a more idealistic stance, with 12% saying that they wanted a job that helped them maximize their impact on society. Meanwhile, 15% wanted a job they could depend on should the economy take another dive.
Have side hustles and gig platforms raised a generation of budding entrepreneurs? It turns out Gen Z has mixed opinions when it comes to the merits of being your own boss.
Overall, 52% of respondents said they preferred the old-fashioned method of having a full-time job. In contrast, 30% expressed a preference for being self-employed contractors, and 18% fancied starting a business.
n today’s complex economy, Gen Z aren’t short of choices when it comes to working habits. But which of these would they sacrifice if it meant getting paid more?
When presented with a multiple-choice hypothetical scenario, 41% said they would happily give up the option of working from home – once seen as the biggest prize of the pandemic – for more money.
Some were prepared to sacrifice part of their personal life too, with 37% saying they would give up their hobbies in order to make more money, and 34% saying the same about their social life.
And what about sacrifices in the workplace itself? It turns out that 1 in 5 of Gen Z would happily give up the more exciting parts of their job if it meant taking home more cash at the end of the month.
With direct access to Gen Z, we had the perfect chance to ask the big questions: just what do they value most when it comes to life decisions? (EduBirdie, 2024)
The results of the survey discussed in the article conclude that Gen Z’s biggest worries are: never becoming financially stable, not enjoying life to the fullest, and not seeing the world. Financially, they express a desire to live comfortably in the present while still prioritizing travel. These insights suggest that travel design must balance affordability with meaningful experiences.
The survey also found that Gen Z’s top priorities are family and relationships, health and well-being, financial stability, and personal fulfillment. While travel is also valued, it ranks lower compared to these other areas. These findings highlight the importance of designing travel experiences that respond to both Gen Z’s worries and priorities.
So, how can Gen Z’s priorities and worries be considered when designing for travel?
Travel can be framed not only as relaxation and leisure, but also as a way to strengthen relationships, support well-being, and contribute to personal growth. Ultimately, effective travel design for Gen Z must connect to what they value most, offering experiences that feel purposeful, fulfilling, and financially accessible.
References.
EduBirdie. (2024, February 6). Wealth, work and happiness: The life goals of Gen Z. EduBirdie. https://edubirdie.com/blog/life-goals-of-gen-z
A.I. was not used for this article.
