Albert Camus once said that ‘each generation imagines it is destined to remake the world. Mine knows, however, that it will not remake it. But its task is perhaps greater: to prevent the world from falling apart.’ This reflection resonates powerfully when we talk about Generation Z. Born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s, this generation grew up amid hyperconnectivity, climate crises, and profound cultural shifts. But will they be able to reverse institutional decline and drive meaningful structural change?
Studies indicate that Generation Z already represents about 30% of the global population and, by 2025, will make up roughly 27% of the global workforce. In Brazil, according to IBGE data, young people aged 10 to 24 already total more than 47 million—a contingent that will shape the future of the economy and society.
Often labeled as disengaged or narcissistic, Generation Z, contrary to popular belief, is deeply committed to social issues. According to a Deloitte survey, 77% of these young people say their primary goal is to work for companies aligned with their values, prioritizing sustainability, diversity, and mental well-being. Simultaneously, 49% report being willing to leave their jobs if they feel their mental health is not taken seriously by their employer.
This behavior reflects growing distrust in traditional institutions. The 2023 Edelman Trust Barometer shows that only 37% of Generation Z fully trust governments and large corporations. Yet, this same generation is willing to act through conscious consumption and digital activism, turning their beliefs into action.
One of Generation Z’s most defining traits is their relationship with technology. They grew up in a digital world with unlimited access to information, but they also suffer from its impact on mental health. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports a 25% increase in anxiety and depression among young people since 2019—a phenomenon many experts attribute to social media pressure and performance culture.
South Korean philosopher Byung-Chul Han, in ‘In the Swarm,’ describes this reality as a state of constant surveillance where individuals become performers of themselves. This overexposure fuels an endless quest for validation, which can lead to existential emptiness. Viktor Frankl, in ‘Man’s Search for Meaning,’ would argue that this void is a call to transformation—and it is precisely this restlessness that could become an engine for change.
While Generation Z shows emotional fragility, they also carry potential for resilience and creativity. In a fragmented world, these young people seek alternative forms of expression and participation. The rise of movements like minimalism, the sharing economy, and digital nomadism are clear examples of how this generation is pursuing new models of living, working, and consuming.
Therefore, the recurring question—’Will this generation amount to anything?’—is more about productivity and conformity expectations than about Generation Z itself. Michel Foucault, in ‘The Order of Things,’ argues that such discourses perpetuate forms of control, while Generation Z actively challenges these norms. Perhaps they won’t ‘amount to anything’ in the traditional sense—but that may be their greatest strength: questioning and deconstructing obsolete paradigms.
The real question is not whether Generation Z is prepared for the world, but whether the world is ready to understand and adapt to their new dynamics. This generation doesn’t just want to adjust—they want to redefine the rules. Remote work, work-life balance, and mental well-being are not whims but real demands forcing structural change.
If Generation Z breaks free from old patterns and shows us new paths, their greatest contribution will be proving that true transformation begins where conformity ends.
(*) César Silva is President of the Fundação de Apoio à Tecnologia (FAT) and has been a professor at the Faculdade de Tecnologia de São Paulo – FATEC-SP for over 30 years. He previously served as the Vice Director and Superintendent at Centro Paula Souza. He holds a degree in Business Administration, with specializations in Project Management, Organizational Processes, and Information Systems.
