Download the latest Gen Z trend data report here.
For Americans who came of age during the Great Depression, habits that formed during that period never fully left them, even decades after the economy had recovered and the world had shifted gears. New Deal voters formed one of the most lasting political coalitions in American history, transforming expectations of the role government could play in people’s lives. Consumers who had experienced destitution remained financially vigilant, saving and squirreling away goods, always aware that the good times might not last. These enduring impacts were pivotal in shaping a generation and the contours of the nation.
It is with that kind of era-defining and generation-altering moment in mind that Morning Consult is launching a new multiyear survey research project aimed at understanding how the coronavirus outbreak will influence Generation Z (those Americans born after 1997). While the crisis is still in its early stages, all signs point to this being a profoundly impactful event, with the potential to reorient younger Americans’ habits, values, and outlook on the world.
The research will cover a range of topics, including politics, consumer habits, trust in institutions, career expectations and more. The results are based on a tracking survey of 1,000 Americans ages 13-23, and will be updated periodically on this page. To always get the latest updates, sign-up here.
⇾ Members of Gen Z already see the outbreak as the most impactful event of their lifetimes: 78 percent say the pandemic has had a major impact on their worldview, a higher share than for a range of other events including mass shootings, the 2008 financial crisis and President Donald Trump’s election.
⇾ There is widespread distrust of people in power and a sense the world isn’t fair: Just 7 percent of Gen Z members put “a lot” of trust in people in positions of power, and only 6 percent strongly agree that the world is a fair place.
⇾ Concerns over education and career prospects abound in the shadow of COVID-19: 63 percent are worried the pandemic will impact their education for years to come; 59 percent are worried it will impact their career prospects.
⇾ Nonetheless, members of Gen Z remain optimistic about their personal futures, and they feel in control of their own destinies: 77 percent are optimistic about their future personal well-being, and 85 percent say their future is determined by the choices they make.
⇾ Gen Z respondents of all stripes say the coronavirus outbreak has influenced their outlook: Whether looking at race, gender, partisanship, community-type or education level, at least 7 in 10 members of each major sub-demographic group say the pandemic has impacted their worldview.
⇾ Additionally, 63 percent of this generation expects the pandemic will impact their personal future, while 20 percent say it will not.
⇾ In control of their own destiny: 85 percent of Gen Z say their future is determined by choices they make or things they can control, while 15 percent say their future is more determined by luck or fate.
⇾ Gen Z is more personally optimistic than millennials: 28 percent of Gen Z say they are “very” optimistic about their future personal finances, compared to 19 percent for millennials. Likewise 32 percent of Gen Z say they are “very” optimistic about their future personal well-being, compared to 25 percent of millennials.
⇾ A majority of Gen Z members feel they have the potential to impact the world: 56 percent of Gen Z agree they have that potential, as do 57 percent of millennials.
⇾ Just 7 percent of Gen Z put “a lot” of trust in people of positions of power, given recent events. Forty-three percent trust people in positions of power “some,” while 35 percent say “not much” and 16 percent say “not at all.”
⇾ Just 6 percent of Gen Z strongly agree that the world is a fair place, while 13 percent somewhat agree, 23 percent somewhat disagree and 42 percent strongly disagree.”
⇾ Trust in the news media dips: The share of Gen Z members who say they trust the news media fell 7 percentage points between April and May, the largest decline for any institution tracked.
⇾ Distrust in government is partially driven by partisanship: 41 percent of Gen Z Democrats and 71 percent of Gen Z Republicans have at least some trust in the U.S. government. That divide largely mirrors results among U.S. adults.
⇾ Brands that treat employees well can win over Gen Z: 62 percent of Gen Z say it’s very important for companies they purchase from to treat their employees well, a higher share than say the same about any of the other factors assessed, including price and quality of products. Furthermore, 74 percent say that a company’s treatment of employees during the pandemic will impact their future loyalty.
⇾ The actions brands take now will matter down the line for Gen Z: 7 in 10 Gen Z respondents say that actions a company takes to help others during the pandemic will boost their loyalty after it ends. Sixty percent say the same about how companies communicate with customers during the pandemic.
The results on this page are based on two tracking surveys. The first was conducted April 9-12, and the second was conducted May 1-3, 2020. Both surveyed 1,000 13-23 year-olds, and 2,200 U.S. adults. The margin of error for Gen Z is +/- 3 percent.
April crosstabs | May crosstabs
By Nick Laughlin. Notice any issues? Email us.