Why Are Gen Z Globally the Most Disillusioned in History?
In my long academic and practical life, I have closely observed the ups and downs of many generations. From the hard work of the Baby Boomers to the rebellious nature of Gen X and the digital transition period of the Millennials, I have studied the psychology of all these generations. But the generation I am writing about today, Gen Z (young people born between 1997 and 2012), is at the most worrying mental turning point in history.
This is not only my personal observation; the data also confirms it. According to a 2023 report by the McKinsey Health Institute, one in four Gen Z individuals worldwide (25%) report their mental health as “poor” or “very poor,” while among the Baby Boomer generation this figure is only one in seven.
Why is this so? Why does this most educated, tech-savvy and materially comfortable generation in history feel hollow and hopeless inside? The answer is not superficial. Behind it lies a frightening web of digital, economic and existential crises. Let us go to the root of this problem and look for practical solutions.
Table of Content
- Why Are Gen Z Globally the Most Disillusioned in History?
- The Curse of Being a Digital Native: A Phone-Based Childhood
- Economic Uncertainty and the Trap of Hustle Culture
- Existential Crisis: Climate Change and Fear of the Future
- The Specific Pain of Nepali Gen Z: The Compulsion to Go Abroad
- The Hangover of COVID-19
- What Are the Solutions? Practical Approaches Based on Expertise
- Conclusion
The Curse of Being a Digital Native: A Phone-Based Childhood
Gen Z is the first generation in history that has never seen a world without the internet. Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, in his widely discussed book “The Anxious Generation,” describes this shift as a “Great Rewiring” from a “play-based childhood” to a “phone-based childhood.”
Research shows that between 2010 and 2015 (the period when smartphones became ubiquitous), the rates of depression and suicide among teenagers increased by more than 50%.
Social media has created a “dopamine loop” in young minds. When they see the filtered lives of others on Instagram or TikTok, they experience FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) and deep inferiority. They are forced to measure their inner self-worth on the scale of likes and views.
In my 20 years of experience, I have never seen this level of loneliness before. This generation, which can create thousands of “virtual friends” while sitting alone in a room, is in fact hungry for deep human connection.
Economic Uncertainty and the Trap of Hustle Culture
Whether we talk about Nepal or any other part of the world, Gen Z fears that they will be economically weaker than the generations before them.
Global context
Housing prices have soared, and the burden of student loans is increasing. According to a report by the American Psychological Association (APA), for 82% of young people aged 18 to 34, “money” is the main source of stress.
Nepali context
In Nepal, this problem is even more severe. According to data from Nepal Police and other studies, an average of 18 to 20 people die by suicide every day in Nepal, with a troubling proportion among unemployed youth and students.
Unemployment figures
Among those aged 15–24 in Nepal, the unemployment rate is around 20–22% (according to various surveys by the ILO and the National Statistics Office). When a 22-year-old graduate cannot see a future in their own country, it is natural for their frustration to turn into depression.
Existential Crisis: Climate Change and Fear of the Future
According to a large-scale survey conducted by The Lancet, between 59% and 75% of young people around the world say they are extremely worried or fearful about the future because of climate change. They feel that the older generations have damaged the planet and that the burden of cleaning it up now rests on their shoulders. This eco-anxiety is discouraging them from having children and from making long-term plans.
The Specific Pain of Nepali Gen Z: The Compulsion to Go Abroad
To understand the despair of Nepali Gen Z, we need to look at the crowds at Tribhuvan International Airport.
The pain of separation
More than 500,000 young people leave the country every year. Those who go abroad suffer from loneliness and cultural shock. Those who are left behind (left-behind children or partners) show anxiety levels of up to 48%, according to various studies.
Social pressure
Questions such as “So-and-so’s son went to Australia, what are you doing?” inflict deep wounds on the self-respect of the youth who remain here. Even those who are determined to build something within Nepal are crushed by this constant comparison and social pressure.
The Hangover of COVID-19
The formative years in which Gen Z were supposed to enter adulthood were spent inside locked rooms during COVID-19. They missed out on college life, friendships and the chance to develop social skills. The McKinsey report clearly shows that after COVID-19, social anxiety among Gen Z has surged. Many of them now struggle to talk to people, maintain eye contact and resolve conflicts.
What Are the Solutions? Practical Approaches Based on Expertise
Now that we have measured the depth of the problem, we can turn to solutions. As a professional, I do not offer the shallow advice of “just stay positive.” Here are research-based, concrete suggestions.
For Young People: Digital Detox and a Meaningful Life
Screen time control
Using social media for more than two hours a day doubles the risk of anxiety and depression. Set app limits on your phone. Turn off your phone at least one hour before sleep. This improves sleep quality, which is the first medicine for mental health.
Stop constant comparison
Remember that people show only their “highlight reel” on social media, not their struggles behind the scenes. Do not compare your inner battles with someone else’s carefully curated outer success.
Search for purpose
Instead of chasing happiness alone, look for meaning. It might be a small act of community service or learning a new skill. Engage with the real world.
For Parents: Be a Lighthouse, Not a Helicopter
Allow calculated risk
As Jonathan Haidt notes, when children are over-protected, they do not develop resilience. Let them experience small failures. No one becomes strong without falling and getting back up.
Develop the habit of listening
Do not lecture your Gen Z children with “In our time, things were like this.” Their time is different, their challenges are different. Listen to them without judging. Empathy is the first step toward building trust.
For Policymakers and Society
Prioritise mental health
The number of mental health specialists in Nepal is very low (only about 144 psychiatrists). Mental health education and counselling services should be made compulsory from school level.
Hope within the country
Speeches alone cannot keep young people in the country; opportunities can. We need an environment that encourages entrepreneurship, skill-based education and a culture that respects the dignity of labour.
Conclusion
Even though Gen Z appears to be the most disillusioned generation in history, it is also the most aware. No previous generation has spoken so openly about mental health. This itself is the beginning of change.
Despair is not the final truth. It is a signal that we need fundamental changes in our society, our lifestyle and our priorities.
My many years of experience tell me that human beings can rise above even the harshest circumstances. Gen Z, you are not alone. Your pain is real, but your potential is far greater. Lift your eyes away from the phone screen for a moment and look outside: the real world is still beautiful, and it is waiting for you.
Writer of this Article: Ramesh Thapa
Gen Z