Gen Z is worried they will be “living in huts” or staying in their family home until they are 50, as new research shows they are facing a “crisis” in almost all areas of their lives.
New Monash Centre for Youth Policy and Education Practice analysis shows financial and housing concerns are top of mind for young people aged 18-24.
The report, which looks at five years’ worth of Youth Barometers, found an additional 20 per cent of Gen Z are listing affordable housing as a top concern, increasing from 60 per cent in 2022 to 82 per cent in 2026.
Monash youth policy director Lucas Walsh said all crises young people faced could be tracked back to another similar historical event an older generation had also experienced.
But the difference for Gen Z Aussies, and why Professor Walsh thinks they have it harder, is the multiple different problems they are facing simultaneously. He calls this a polycrisis.
Professor Walsh said when you looked back to high interest rates in the 1970s, for example, other parts of the economy were better with “fairly buoyant labour markets” and “returns if you got education qualifications”, helping young people maintain optimism about the future.
“But when you combine [housing today] with climate change, even if you could afford a place in parts of Queensland, you couldn’t get them insured – then it starts to become a polycrisis,” he said.
Young people we interviewed said they agree with Professor Walsh’s assessment.
“I think the housing crisis and the income of young people versus how much you have to pay for rent is different now than it was for older generations,” said 21-year-old Zoe Ziguras.
“Most of my friends are studying up until 25 [years old], at least. Basically the only option then is to be in a shared house or live at home,” she said.
Business student Tristan Dhov said the economy was top of mind at the moment. He said he spent less time thinking about climate change during winter.
“I am spending $200 a week on petrol, then somehow I am meant to have money for food, going out and on top of that other things,” he said.
“We are just going to have to live in huts or tents at this rate … I might just live with my parents, I’m sure they won’t mind me around until I’m 50.”
Why more young protests are ‘inevitable’
Professor Walsh said some data may look good on paper in the report, such as a decline in self-reported mental health concerns.
But interviews exposed a lack of trust – young people did not think there were services available to help them.
The climate crisis has also declined in priority. While 47 per cent of respondents rated it highly in 2021, that had declined to 44 per cent by 2025.
Professor Walsh said there was a striking sense of resignation from young people, who did not think humanity could make meaningful changes in the climate space.
Young people were turning away from traditional political institutions, like established parties, to make change but were still politically engaged in other ways, he said.
They lack trust that political institutions can fix these problems.
“They’re not really being given an incentive to engage with conventional politics,” he said.
“Anticipate that there’ll be more young people on the streets … we can expect engagement of protest kinds. It seems inevitable to me.”
Professor Walsh said the annual report for the past five years was an important way for policymakers and politicians to better understand youth voices.
The research project is seeking more funding to continue.
Do you agree young people are facing a polycrisis? Have your say below or email education@news.com.au