Meet Generation Z, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2020, https://www.aecf.org/blog/generation-z-statistics
This resource is divided into several webpages and sections, so I have divided my summary and review with relevant section headings.
“What Is Generation Alpha?”
Generation Alpha includes people born from 2010 to 2025. It will peak at 2 billion members. Alpha members are immersed in technology and diversity. “They will be more likely to go to college, more likely to grow up in a single-parent household, and more likely to be surrounded by college-educated adults.” They have been affected by a Covid-19 pandemic, which drastically increased their screen time and likely affected their attention span and literacy. They are the most materially endowed generation in human history and grew up on the “gamification” of education.
“What the Statistics Say”
Data shows Generation Z, born between 1995 and 2010, is “racially and ethnically diverse, progressive, and pro-government” (“What the Statistics Say”). Between 2000 and 2018, Gen Z experienced
decreased high school dropout, from 11% to 4%
increased college enrollment and completion, from 36% to 49%
declining numbers in foster care, from 8% to 6%
decreased teen births, from 48 per 1000 to 17 per 1000
relatively stable poverty rat, from 18% to 17%
increased healthcare coverage.
Gen Z individuals from immigrant families experience fewer language barriers than previous generations ("Gen Z and College").
Yet, 27% of Gen Z members report their mental health as fair or poor, nearly double the rate of two previous generations (“What the Statistics Say”).
Gen Z teens are employed at lower rates than earlier generations: 18% were working in 2018, compared to 41% of Generation X teens and 27% of Millennial teens at similar stages ("Gen Z and College").
“What Are the Core Characteristics of Generation Z?”
While Millennials were called “digital pioneers,” Gen Z is considered the true “digital native” generation. The availability of technology makes them inclined to seek out easily available information but also prone to “isolation” and “underdeveloped social skills.” That paradox has led to them being called the “global generation” but also “the loneliest generation” because they spend so much time using technological devices. Gen Z considers their personal identity and brand of the utmost importance, and they tend to make purchases and use social media with the aim of cultivating their brand.
Gen Z is further left-leaning politically than previous generations.
“Generation Z and College”
The Pew Research Center reports that Gen Z is more likely than previous generations to pursue a college education. In 2018, 57% were enrolled in two- or four-year colleges, compared to 52% for Millennials and 43% of Generation X at similar stages.
“Seven Top Social Issues for Gen Z”
Research shows that Gen Z is passionate about seven social issues: healthcare, mental health, higher education, economic security, civic engagement, racial equity, and the environment.
The Annie E. Casey Foundation's website provides a quick snapshot of Gen Z with helpful information about its values and interests. It's a good starting point for educators seeking to understand this generation, but educators hoping to shape materials for this generation would need to pair this with in-depth information from other sources.