Unveiling the Intellect: Decoding Why Gen Z Appears Smarter Than Millennials (2024)

FAQs

Why are Gen Z smarter than millennials? ›

Gen Z has honed the skill of sifting through vast amounts of data, fostering a culture of self-education and critical thinking. This ability to quickly access and evaluate information may contribute to the perception of increased intelligence.

Generation Z students are on track to become the most educated generation. They have higher high school graduation rates and lower dropout rates than those who came before. In 2018, 57% of 18 to 21-year olds were in college, compared with 52% of Millennials, and 43% of Gen Xers at similar ages.

Generation Z vs Millennials: Key Takeaways

Millennials value stability (34%), while Gen Z puts more of an emphasis on finding their dream job (32%). More Gen Zers follow their parents' influence (42%), compared to their Millennial counterparts (36%).

Gen Z is also generally known for its idealism—they're part of a new wave of “inclusive consumers” and socially progressive dreamers. Generally speaking, Gen Zers believe in doing their part to help stop the intensification of climate change and to establish greater equity for all.

The Flynn Effect explains how with every generation, the average intelligence of children increases exponentially. Throughout history, the knowledge and experiences of the older generations are passed down. This naturally increases the awareness and the knowledge of the next generation.

Millennials were born between 1981 and 1996 while members of the Gen Z years Gen Z years were born between 1997 and 2012. Millennials expect faster customer service. Gen Z tends to be better at accepting delayed gratification than millennials.

Gen Z are less likely to drop out of high school and more likely to be enrolled in a two-year or four-year college, 52% compared to 43% of Millennials and 43% of Gen X. (Pew Research Center). They are still looking for engagement as part of their learning experience.

Gen Z are not 'coddled. ' They are highly collaborative, self-reliant and pragmatic, according to new Stanford-affiliated research. Generation Z, the first generation never to know the world without the internet, value diversity and finding their own unique identities, says Stanford scholar Roberta Katz.

Wealthiest Generation: Baby Boomers

"If people earned and saved and invested the same percentage of their income for 20 years or more, they've accumulated more than someone who has done this for five or 10 years,” he says. Another reason for this generation's wealth is owning and then selling a successful business.

This generation is also highly educated, skilled, and motivated. This generation is not motivated by financial gain but by a sense of connection as well as personal and professional relationships. They're socially accountable and look forward to working in a sustainable environment.

Why is Gen Z so open minded? ›

Because Generation Z grew up and will continue to grow up in a society that is dominated by social media and quick access information, they are an open-minded, diverse and inclusive generation. They are a generation that has been and continues to be constantly exposed to different viewpoints, opinions and lifestyles.

The brains of Generation Zs have become wired to sophisticated, complex visual imagery. As a result, the part of the brain responsible for visual ability is far more developed, making visual forms of learning more effective. Auditory learning (lecture and discussion) is very strongly disliked by this age group.

Gen Z is also the smartest and best educated generation. Having an unlimited wealth of information at our disposal has not gone to waste. In America, 57 percent of Gen Z is reported to have enrolled in a two-year or four-year college, compared to 52 percent of Millenials and 43 percent of Gen X.

In aggregate, the findings reveal that Baby Boomers are currently the most powerful generation, with a 38.6% share of Overall Power. Society has been shaped by the values and priorities of Baby Boomers for decades, but as Boomers retire and leave key positions of power, this landscape of generational power will shift.

Authenticity is the most important value for Gen Z — even beyond future plans and being rich.

Gen Z are less likely to drop out of high school and more likely to be enrolled in a two-year or four-year college, 52% compared to 43% of Millennials and 43% of Gen X. (Pew Research Center). They are still looking for engagement as part of their learning experience.

She says Gen Z faces more challenges in some ways than previous generations. “There's a growth in inequality in the transition to adulthood. There's a lot of changes in culture and norms, insecurity more generally, in terms of climate change and the war and school shootings and rapid inflation.

It found that 84% of regular exercisers are working out a minimum of three times per week, with younger generations leading the way. Gen Z are the most active, with 87% of this demographic exercising three or more times per week, with Millennials trailing just behind them.

The ASPS study found that the age group is embracing “Baby Botox” to prevent wrinkles before they form. And just like fillers, its overuse can also create the appearance of advanced aging, Belkin said.