The terms “millennial” and “Generation Z” get thrown around a lot, but not everyone knows there’s a difference. Here we take a look at what each group does differently, from their social media habits to the way they approach dating.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Millennials and Generation Z have distinct characteristics and behaviors shaped by their generational experiences. |
| 2. Millennials are digital natives, while Generation Z is considered true digital natives, having grown up with smartphones and social media from an early age. |
| 3. Work expectations differ between the two generations, with Millennials valuing work-life balance and Generation Z seeking job stability and opportunities for growth. |
| 4. Communication preferences also vary, with Millennials favoring email and texting, while Generation Z prefers messaging apps and social media platforms. |
| 5. Businesses should tailor their engagement strategies to effectively connect with and meet the needs of both Millennials and Generation Z. |
The Average Millennial Is 27 Years Old, And The Average Person In Generation Z Is 18
The average Millennial is 27 years old, and the average person in Generation Z is 18.
Before you assume that this means Millennials are older than Generation Z, keep in mind that the definition of both generations includes those who are either born or came of age during a certain period of time so it’s possible for a Millennial to be only 17 or for someone born after 2012 to be considered part of Generation Z by some definitions.
The term “Millennial” was coined by William Strauss and Neil Howe in their book Generations: The History Of America’s Future 1584 To 2069, published in 1991; they defined Millennials as those born between 1982 and 2004 (this definition later became widely accepted).
Meanwhile, millennials have been referred to as “echo boomers” because they’re often considered similar to baby boomers (born 1946–1964), but with certain differences like technology use and attitudes toward sex.
Meanwhile, generation z has been referred to as the “I generation,” because many members grew up using computers more frequently than other previous generations did during their childhoods; this group also tends to lean toward liberal political beliefs rather than conservative ones.
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Millennials Are Less Religious Than Members Of Generation Z
As you may have noticed, millennials are less religious than members of Generation Z. In fact, millennials are significantly less likely to be Christian than their younger counterparts.
Millennials are also more likely to be atheist or agnostic or at least identify as one of these groups which are interesting considering that Generation Z has the highest percentage of non-believers compared with all other generations.
Another point to consider: While Millennials tend to be less religious and more liberal than previous generations, they’re also generally considered more open-minded and accepting of different cultures, races, and lifestyles.
This trend can partially be attributed to growing up in an increasingly diverse society thanks in large part to social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram providing access into others’ lives beyond our own neighborhoods or schools making them more culturally aware than their parents.
were at their age; while still being able to maintain strong ties with family members who live far away from them (thanks again Facebook!).
Millennials Spend Around 7 Hours A Day On Social Media, While Generation Z Spends Upwards Of 9 Hours
To help you understand the differences between these two generations and their consumption habits, we’ve broken down some of the biggest ways they differ.
Millennials spend around 7 hours a day on social media, while Gen Zers spend upwards of 9 hours a day. Millennials are more likely to use social networks like Facebook and Twitter, while Generation Z spends more time on Youtube and Instagram.
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Members Of Generation Z Are More Likely To Abide By Social Norms Than Millennials
Millennials are more likely to be open-minded, whereas those in Gen Z are more conservative. A study by the Pew Research Center indicates that 82 percent of Millennials (born 1981-1996) identify as liberal or very liberal.
while only 50 percent of Gen Zers (born 1997 or later) consider themselves to be liberal or very liberal. It’s not surprising that members of Generation Z would be more conservative than their predecessors; after all, they’re younger and still learning about the world around them.
As life expectancy increases and people live longer than ever before the average lifespan has increased by 30 years since 1900 millennials are changing their attitudes toward how long they want to live. The majority of millennials surveyed by Gallup said they want to live until 80 years old at least; however, Gen Zers appear even more optimistic about extending their lifespans: 63% said they expect to live past 90 years old!
Gen Z Has Never Lived In a World Without Smartphones and the Internet
Millennials were the first generation of digital natives, who grew up with technology as a fundamental part of their lives since childhood. Since then, technology has become more available to everyone, including Gen Zers.
This means that, unlike millennials who had to adapt and learn how to use new technologies like smartphones and social media when they became popular Gen Z doesn’t need to learn how to use these devices because they’ve never been without them in their lives.
As such, Gen Z is more tech-savvy than millennials because they’ve been exposed from an early age and are comfortable with using these devices on a daily basis.
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Gen Zers’ Attention Span Is 4 Seconds Shorter Than That of Millennials
Gen Zers are more likely to be distracted by their phones, while Millennials are more likely to be distracted by computers. Gen Zers are also more likely to be distracted by video games.
Millennials Are Less Likely To Be Homeowners Than Generation Zers
It’s important to note that just because millennials are less likely to own homes doesn’t mean they can’t or won’t want to.
The real difference between the generations is that millennials were born into an era of economic uncertainty and student loan debt, whereas Gen Zers have come of age during an era of relative economic prosperity and lower costs for higher education.
This means that while some millennials may be unable to afford a home purchase, other millennials might be able to save up enough money for down payments without worrying about paying off debt or putting themselves through school again.
In addition to this, it’s worth noting that Gen Zers are more likely than previous generations (including Boomers) not only because they’re growing up in better times but also because they’re more likely than previous generations.
again including Boomers not only because they’re growing up in better times but also because many families have transitioned from dual-earner households into single-earner households where mothers stay at home with children instead of working outside their homes as well inside their homes!
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Many GenZers Are Still Working On Their Education, But Most Millennials Have done
While many Millenials are still working on their education, most GenZers have done. In fact, the average age of a Millennial when they finished college is 25 years old (8 years after high school). The average age for a GenZer when they finished high school was 19 years old (1 year after high school).
Millennials have also been getting more education than Generation Zers in general. Millennials tend to have at least some post-secondary education while only 20% of GenZers have any sort of post-secondary education.
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Conclusion
At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that not every millennial and Gen Zer falls under these categories.
These are generalizations based on the dominant trends we’ve seen in both generations, but life is a lot more complicated than that.
As long as you keep your eyes open, stay curious, and try to understand all the different people around you, you should be able to navigate your way through whatever generation you were born into. After all, no matter what year we were born in or how tech-savvy we may or may not be: at the end of the day, we’re all just human beings trying to figure things out.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources for further reading on the topic of the differences between Millennials and Generation Z:
Differences Between Gen Z and Millennials: Explore this blog post to gain insights into the unique characteristics and distinctions between Generation Z and Millennials.
How Millennials and Gen Z Are Different: Read this article to understand the variations in behaviors, values, and expectations between Millennials and Generation Z.
Generation Z vs. Millennials Infographic: This infographic provides a visual comparison between Generation Z and Millennials, highlighting their preferences, motivations, and attitudes.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the differences between Millennials and Generation Z:
Q: What are the defining characteristics of Millennials?
A: Millennials, also known as Generation Y, typically refer to individuals born between 1981 and 1996. They grew up during the rapid advancements in technology, are more digitally connected, and value work-life balance.
Q: How does Generation Z differ from Millennials?
A: Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2012, represents the younger cohort after Millennials. They are true digital natives, having grown up with smartphones and social media, and tend to prioritize individuality, social justice, and entrepreneurship.
Q: What are the key differences in their communication preferences?
A: Millennials often prefer email and texting as primary communication methods, while Generation Z leans more towards messaging apps, video calls, and social media platforms like Snapchat and TikTok.
Q: How do Millennials and Generation Z differ in terms of work expectations?
A: Millennials value meaningful work, career progression, and a flexible work environment. Generation Z, on the other hand, seeks job stability, opportunities for learning and growth, and a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Q: How can businesses effectively engage with Millennials and Generation Z?
A: To engage with Millennials, companies should focus on creating purpose-driven work, fostering collaboration, and providing opportunities for professional development. With Generation Z, organizations should prioritize authenticity, social responsibility, and leverage technology to connect with them on their preferred channels.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.