Gen Z: a lost generation?

This debate is part of Battle of Ideas Helsinki 2026.

Year after year Finland is named the world’s happiest country. At the same time, young Finns are increasingly dissatisfied with the present and losing faith in the future. According to Youth Barometer, young people’s life satisfaction is currently at a record low. The Ministry of Education and Culture reports confidence in the future is also declining. Given that, by global standards at least, many aspects of life for young people in Finland is fairly good, why are Gen Z feeling so doubtful about their prospects?

Some explain the problem as a consequence of material concerns: an uncertain job market and cuts to benefits and services. A shrinking number of young people mean less are expected to study, work and therefore pay taxes to fund services and future pensions. Previous generations came of age as the economy grew and living standards rose.  Is the main problem today that their children face the opposite: a failing economy, falling living standards, shrinking public services and mounting public debt?

Others cite a range of newer, sometimes more existential concerns. Gen Z lived through a pandemic with all its attendant knock-on impacts, whether on education or further fuelling an already escalating mental health crisis. Some note the anxieties of return of war to Europe, or the apocalyptic conversations around climate change. Are these contributing to a generalised atmosphere of Gen Z anxiety?  And what explains recent findings from researchers who say that many Gen Z-ers are particularly concerned with personal issues, such as their health and forming relationships?

Arguably many issues today are no worse than problems faced by previous generations – whether mass poverty and unemployment, war in Europe, apocalyptic fears such as nuclear wipeout or the challenge of finding a suitable partner. So why do Gen Z appear to be less confident of handling today’s challenges?  Is the problem today a uniquely bleak age?  Or that young people – taking their lead from adults and society more widely – now tend to see every problem as an existential crisis rather than a practical problem to solve?

Who stole the future of young people: politicians, employers, their parents, the media, or no one at all? And what does society need to rebuild confidence in the future?