2024 Voices of Gen Z Study

Gen Z feels optimistic about the future. How do we best prepare them for it?

The Walton Family Foundation and Gallup’s new 2024 Voices of Gen Z Study builds on one of the largest and most comprehensive national research surveys tracking the sentiments and attitudes of Gen Z. The latest research focuses on Gen Z’s views about themselves, their schools, and their future prospects.

This year’s findings show that just over half (51%) of Gen Z believe they are thriving in their lives.

The survey reveals a generation deeply committed to meaningful engagement in both work and school, with a growing desire to contribute to their communities and pursue their passions. They are driven by a quest for meaningful relationships, a strong sense of community, and a purposeful life.

Key areas for improvement identified by Gen Z include increasing hands-on learning opportunities, expanding mental health support, and providing greater exposure to diverse post-secondary pathways and practical skills.

While Gen Z remains optimistic about their future, too many feel underprepared for college and careers. They want an education that provides real-world experiences. Mental health—which is closely related to their overall life satisfaction and future outlook—also continues to pose a significant challenge for many Gen Zers. Only 21% report having “excellent” mental health, while more say their mental health is only fair (24%) or poor (7%).

Explore the latest findings to learn how we can better support Gen Z in achieving their goals and unlocking their full potential.

Read the full report.

Chapter 1 The vast majority of Gen Zers believe they have a great future ahead of them.

However, they are less confident in their preparedness for the future.

Only half of Gen Z feel prepared for the future. Students whose school offers opportunities to learn skills relevant to a job they want or how to interview are more likely to feel prepared to succeed in their future careers.

Despite that, only 35% of K-12 students feel they are learning skills relevant to their future careers and just 23% have opportunities to work on projects related to jobs they want.

Beyond feeling unprepared for their future careers, many Gen Zers are also worried about their ability to manage their “adult” lives. Less than half of Gen Z think they will be prepared to manage their money and finances (46%) or buy a home (31%).

Harnessing Gen Z’s optimism requires targeted improvements that prepare them for future success. By creating educational programs that support Gen Z in connecting to mentors in their community, developing career-relevant skills and building readiness for their adult lives, we can better equip Gen Z to succeed.

Chapter 2 Fostering engagement in school and work is critical to ensuring Gen Z remains optimistic about the future.

Gen Z is looking for supportive relationships with their teachers and a curriculum that interests them.

Engagement in school continues to be a key predictor of Gen Z’s future outlook and life satisfaction. Students who find their subjects interesting and challenging report higher engagement and a more positive perspective on their lives. However, recent data shows a decline in this type of engagement:

Only 58%

of students report they learned something interesting in the past week.

This is a 10% drop from 2023.

Only 46%

of students feel positively challenged by their schoolwork.

This is an 8% drop from last year.

The relationships between students and their teachers play a significant role in boosting engagement. Over 70% of Gen Z identify their best teachers as those who care about them as individuals, while 63% feel most excited about learning when their teachers are passionate about their subjects.

Ultimately, focusing on developing meaningful relationships with mentors and role models and creating a strong sense of belonging and community in the classroom is key to improving Gen Z’s engagement and overall well-being.

Chapter 3 Hands-on learning can help students bridge the gap between school and career.

Connecting classroom learning to practical experiences is essential.

The key to truly understanding concepts is applying them to real life. Hands-on learning and real-world applications not only prepare Gen Z students for college and the workforce but also empower them to make meaningful contributions to their communities.

Nearly 50%

of Gen Z students report being most engaged during hands-on activities.

Hands-on activities include simulations, demonstrations, and experiments that make learning interactive.

Just 23%

of students have opportunities to work on projects related to their desired jobs.

Schools can increase engagement with curriculum that is relevant to the real world and the lives of students.

Despite this, only 35% of K-12 students feel they are acquiring skills relevant to their future careers. Investing in educational programs that focus on practical skills and career readiness can significantly enhance student engagement and ensure a smoother transition from K-12 to the next stages of their lives.

Chapter 4 College remains the primary post-graduation pathway for Gen Z.

A lack of exposure is keeping students from exploring pathways outside of college.

While college remains a popular path, many Gen Zers feel unprepared to succeed in college. Others are interested in exploring other paths that align with their passions and goals.

68%

of K-12 students intend to pursue postsecondary education.

Two-thirds of Gen Z report frequent discussions with adults about attending college.

Only 16%

of students have heard about jobs that do not require a college degree.

Just 18% of students are aware of opportunities like apprenticeships and vocational training.

Only 22%

of K-12 students feel very prepared to succeed in college.

Among Gen Z adults, only one in four feel very prepared to succeed in their careers.

Furthermore, many Gen Z students have limited knowledge of non-college pathways. Fewer than one in four high schoolers has had many conversations about non-college pathways, such as apprenticeships and internships. Raising awareness about non-college pathways can help more students discover meaningful career options that match their interests and skills.

Chapter 5 Gen Z is reimagining what success in life looks like.

Their definition of success is largely driven by the quality of their relationships and a sense of purpose.

Gen Z defines a “great life” as one where they are happy, can live comfortably and have close relationships with their friends and families.

77%

of Gen Z value close relationships with friends and family most.

Wealth, buying a house, and having children are far less important for a great life.

69%

of Gen Z agree there are issues in their community that they care about.

66% of Gen Z feel a sense of connection with something larger than themselves.

In terms of their careers, Gen Z values jobs that allow them to live comfortably (77%) and pursue their passions (70%) over becoming wealthy (31%) or managers (12%). Combined, the findings indicate a desire for balance between reaching financial stability and maintaining personal fulfillment and strong relationships.

We can better support Gen Zers to lead happy and fulfilling lives by helping them to connect with one another, and discover and develop their purpose and passions.

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