Paul Hopkins: Talkin' about their generation...Gen Z

Gen Z come in for a lot of flack, unfairly perhaps, being often considered by older generations as timid and privileged. One recent European survey found that 40 per cent of employers prefer not to hire Gen Z workers because they find them to be ill-prepared for the workforce, while another survey found they are having more difficulty achieving so-called work milestones than their parents did.

Generation Z refers to people born between 1996 and 2010. They’re the second-youngest generation, between Millennials and Generation Alpha (don't ask!). Gen Z identity has been shaped by the digital age, climate anxiety, and a shifting internet.

Like every generation, Gen Z’s behaviours are dictated by how they grew up. Young people today have come of age in the shadow of climate doom, pandemic lockdowns, wars and fears of economic collapse – now, even more so with Trump and his yo-yo tariffs.

The earliest Gen Zers were born when the internet had just achieved widespread use. They’re called 'digital natives' — with the internet part of daily life. The generation spans a wide range: the oldest Gen Zers have jobs and mortgages (if lucky), while the youngest are still preteens.

Gen Z make up more than 20 per cent of Ireland’s population. Data released earlier this year by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) reveals a bit more about this generation of young people who will shape the country in years to come. The Growing Up in Ireland study tracked the thoughts and experiences of a group of Irish citizens born in 1998, making them 27 years old this year.

Housing – no surprises here – is the biggest concern for this generation. Virtually all of those surveyed (98 per cent) are either "somewhat or very concerned" about getting a house. The majority still live at home with their parents. This varies from 63.5 per cent of 27-year-olds in the Midland region (Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath) to 82.4 per cent in the commuter counties of Meath, Kildare, Louth, and Wicklow.

According to another survey, last week from PTSB, 61 per cent of those between 18 and 24, say they will apply for social housing instead of trying to buy a home.

More than six in 10 (62.4 per cent) of those still living with their parents say it is mostly due to financial reasons. For those who do live independently from their parents, most are renting privately but, out of the cohort of 27-year-olds who took part in the survey, just 3.8 per cent own their own home.

The CSO study found that 27-year-olds are highly educated and more than 80 per cent have transitioned smoothly into the workforce – which would seem to mitigate against the (European) survey mentioned at the beginning.

The median weekly salary for the group is €558.

Isabelle is the daughter of friends of mine. She is 22. Having grown up with social media, she tells me Gen Zers curate their online selves more carefully than those in previous generations have, and they are more likely to turn to trends of anonymity, more personalised feeds, and a smaller online presence, even as they voraciously consume media online.

Video-sharing social media sites have seen a meteoric rise. TikTok currently rules trends, feelings, and culture for Gen Zers, who make up 60 per cent of the app’s one billion-plus users. Says Isabelle: "The internet is where they, we, can discuss their passions and interests with those who share them, bonding with both people they know in real life and ones they’ve only met online."

Moving on, she says: "My generation, I would say, is also generally known for its idealism — part of a new wave of ‘inclusive consumers' and socially progressive dreamers."

Progressive dreamers?

"Yes, kind of. Generally speaking, I think most of us believe in doing our part to help stop the intensifying climate change and to establish greater equity for all. More than any other generation, I would say we collectively demand purpose and accountability, the creation of more opportunities for people of diverse and underrepresented backgrounds, and rigorous sustainable and green practices."

Most older people think Gen Zers are just known for working, shopping, dating, and making friends online. Or turning to the internet when looking for any kind of information, including news – fake or otherwise.

I mean who am I – a Baby Boomer – to say? Typecasting all achieves nothing. We are all individuals at the end of the day.

Generational cutoff points aren’t an exact science.