Only one out of 10 Gen Z’s are in good mental shape – Survey

Around 71% reported feeling lonely, and 80% struggled with negative body image issues.

Generation “Z” (Gen Z) in Hong Kong have lower overall mental health, with only one in ten stating that they are “flourishing” due to the early onset of stress from technology “addiction” and financial problems.

AXA Hong Kong and Macau released the second set of results from its yearly AXA Study of Mind Health and Wellbeing 2023, which dove into the perception and mental health status of individuals aged 18 to 26 years old.

Additionally, 67.2% of Gen Z respondents reported experiencing moderate to extreme stress levels over the past year, which is 14% higher than the overall respondents (53.1%).

64% of Gen Z individuals in Hong Kong cited technology addiction and obsessive social media use as factors exacerbating poor mental health. 

Amongst those affected by social media and tech addiction, 71% reported feeling lonely, and 80% struggled with negative body image issues.

ALSO READ: What Gen Zs want: 20% prefer unemployment than work for non-inclusive firms

The "always-on" culture, exacerbated by remote working, has affected Gen Z's work-life balance. 44% of employed Gen Z respondents found it difficult to separate work from personal life, and 40% reported distress due to the expected working hours.

Financial prosperity is a top priority for Gen Z in Hong Kong, with 38% aspiring to become wealthy. However, 44% of Gen Z respondents reported that their current financial situation causes significant stress, and only 30% felt secure about their financial future.

The AXA Mind Health Study 2023 involved 30,000 respondents across 16 regions in Europe, America, and Asia. In Hong Kong, 2,336 respondents participated in the survey. The study provides insights and advice on fostering positive mental health for individuals and businesses.