Gen Z Financially Ahead of Millennials but Less Innovative, Choosing Work-Life Balance Over Impressing Bosses

Generation Z is financially better off than previous generations like millennials were at the same age, with higher incomes and more job opportunities.

Strong youth wage growth and tight labor markets are contributing to Gen Z's financial advantage. In the US, hourly pay growth for 16-24 year olds recently hit 13%.

Gen Z spends less time working than previous generations. In the US, 15-24 year olds now spend 25% less time on work activities than in 2007.

Gen Zers have a different attitude to work than previous generations. They talk about "quiet quitting" and "bare minimum Monday" rather than seeking to impress bosses.

Gen Z produces fewer innovations than millennials did at the same age. They file fewer patents, have fewer famous startup founders, and have fewer hit songs than millennials did 15 years ago.