Generation Z (Gen Z) appears to be the most introverted generation, showing higher levels of shyness and preference for digital interaction compared to Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers, largely influenced by growing up immersed in social media and digital communication, leading to less face-to-face interaction and increased social comparison. Studies show a trend towards increased introversion across younger cohorts, with Gen Z leading the charge, often characterized by a need for authenticity and quiet contemplation.
In this extroverted world, meetings can often feel like a battleground for introverts. But here's an interesting fact: our State of Meetings report revealed that Generation Z has a higher percentage of introverts compared to other generations.
If you are between the ages of 12 and 27 years old, it's very likely that you are. Dubbed “the anxious generation” and “the loneliest generation,” over 60 percent1 of Generation Z (people born between 1997 and 2012) report experiencing significant stress and anxiety, including social anxiety.
In addition, they felt lonelier. Of the Gen Z respondents, 30% reported feeling isolated, compared to 22% recorded across other age demographics. It's perhaps no surprise, then, that Gen Z also says they are less productive, happy, and engaged than their boomer colleagues.
Generation Z exhibited the highest prevalence (30 % anxiety, 22.3 % depression), followed by Generation Y (20.9 % and 19.0 %), Boomers (15.0 % and 13.5 %), and Generation X (14.3 % and 12.8 %).
Recent research shows that members of the Baby Boomer generation have worse health than previous generations did at the same ages—diabetes, heart disease and other chronic illnesses are more common.
Whilst boomers and millennials may use the 😂 emoji, this has long since been deemed 'uncool' (or 'cheugy') by Gen Z. Instead, this has been replaced by the skull (💀) or the crying emoji (😭), dramatising the idea of 'dying with laughter'.
Across much of the world, it is no longer middle-aged adults who are the most miserable. Instead, young people, especially Gen Z, are reporting the highest levels of unhappiness of any age group.
Bae – Boyfriend or girlfriend.
46% of Gen Z workers, 37% of Millennials, and 25% of Gen X said they would likely quit due to limited growth or upskilling opportunities.
The mean shyness score for females (48.5) was substantially greater than for males (41.2), confirming that gender differences in shyness levels are consistent with previous research (Cheek and Buss, 1981; Rubin et al., 2009).
While this optimism is most pronounced among Boomers (66%), every generation surveyed showed a similar level of confidence when asked to compare themselves to previous generations—Gen X (63%), Millennials (62%) and Gen Z (60%).
“A cheery or corporate 'hello' can come across as disingenuous or emotionally performative. Gen Zers value emotional clarity over politeness. They want authenticity, not artifice.” All that said, it's still a little strange.
Birth order and introversion-extraversion☆
A two-way analysis of variance indicated that first borns were more introverted than either middle-horns or last-horns, with no difference between the latter two groups.
On average, introverts and extroverts are the same in terms of intelligence. But statistics show that around 70% of gifted people are introverts. People are considered "gifted" when they exhibit above-average intelligence or a superior talent for something, such as music, art or math.
Social Issues
But it does provide some rough guidelines as to how soon may be too soon to make long-term commitments and how long may be too long to stick with a relationship. Each of the three numbers—three, six, and nine—stands for the month that a different common stage of a relationship tends to end.
DTR = define the relationship! That typically means going from just “seeing each other” to putting a label on it - as in you're calling each other BF/GF/partner. It's a big (sometimes scary) step in dating and this will help you figure out if you're actually ready.
What does pookie mean? A term of endearment or nickname that you call your best friend or significant other. Also used to describe something cute/adorable.
Once dubbed the “unluckiest generation,” millennials have postponed major milestones during past recessions.
For Gen Z, the 😭 (Loudly Crying Face) emoji usually means something is overwhelmingly funny, cute, or heartwarming, signifying "crying with laughter" or being emotionally moved, rather than actual sadness, often replacing the older 😂 emoji for intense amusement. It's used for exaggerated, positive reactions to things like relatable humor, adorable pets, or touching moments.
Key points. New research shows Millennials and Gen Z exhibit loneliness and alienation more than other generations. It is possible to be technologically "connected" and socially disconnected simultaneously. Face-to-face meetings can be helpful for combatting loneliness.
“Can't lie” “Can't lie” falls under the same umbrella as slang terms like NGL (not gonna lie) and TBH (to be honest). The 🆑 emoji is perfect to use when you're trying to keep things unfiltered and brutally honest.
The 🍋🟩 combination, officially the Lime emoji (🍋🟩), represents a literal lime, symbolizing sourness, Mexican food, summer, or tropical vibes, often formed by combining the Lemon (🍋) and Green Square (🟩) emojis on platforms that support it. It can mean something tart, refreshing drinks (like mojitos), lime green color, or generally mean "lime" in texts.
Resembles plewds, stylized sweat droplets used in comics and animation to show characters working hard or feeling stressed. May be used to represent various types of liquids, including sexual fluids. May also be used to represent various liquid-based slang expressions (e.g., drip, “exceptional style, swagger").