Is Gen Z experiencing an everlasting burnout?

In recent years, cases of burnout have become increasingly common among young Americans. A recent survey revealed that the average age at which stress peaks is around 40, but for Gen Z and millennials, this kind of distress seems to manifest much earlier – as early as age 25. According to a study conducted on 2,000 people by the U.S. research body Talker Research, for young adults, work represents the main source of stress (33%), followed by financial difficulties (27%) and mental health (24%). For older generations, on the other hand, the main concerns relate to politics (27%) and physical health (24%). Despite age differences in the analyzed sample, the report highlights an increase in psychological distress across multiple fronts – especially among those under 30. In fact, one-third of Americans believe that 2025 will be the most stressful year of their lives. Most respondents believe that entering adulthood today is more difficult than it was ten years ago, and over 70% think that in the next decade the situation will become even more complex.

In general, among the U.S. population, anxiety levels – which remained fairly stable in the early 2000s – have increased by more than 50% between 2010 and 2019, according to several studies. In this context, the suicide rate has increased by over 40 percentage points among the 10–19 age group. Similar trends have been observed during the same period in other English-speaking countries, as well as in Scandinavia and several European states. In summary, according to various analyses, Gen Z suffers from mental health disorders more than any previous generation. "It’s fascinating — and a bit concerning — to see how young Americans are experiencing stress peaks earlier and earlier," says a clinical psychologist interviewed by the New York Post. "I constantly see people in their twenties who already feel burned out, something I didn’t used to observe at this age. Often my younger patients ask me: 'Why does life already feel so overwhelming?' And they’re not just referring to work-related stress; they feel pressure from various areas – career, finances, relationships, even expectations imposed by social media. [...] The change is real and it’s having a significant impact." Over the years, several hypotheses have been put forward to explain the negative mental health data among younger generations in the U.S. and beyond. Many experts believe that, despite the complexity of the phenomenon, identifying the possible causes requires examining elements common to all countries. The data shows that mental illnesses among young people have increased significantly everywhere since the widespread use of smartphones. This shift has been accompanied by the growing importance of social networks in young people’s social lives, which are often designed to be addictive and encourage so-called doomscrolling.

Even in Italy, the situation is perfectly in line with the global trend. Just last month, Stefania Fregosi – Health Head at Ipsos – confirmed during World Mental Health Day that the rate of Italian Gen Z youth with mental well-being issues is around 40%, a substantial increase considering that the national average is 28%. Anxiety, phobias, and depression are among the most common disorders, and young women are those who suffer the most. This is also confirmed by the Mind Health Report 2025, an annual survey by AXA that analyzes mental health levels globally. For the third year in a row, Italy has reported the lowest percentage of "full well-being" among all EU countries, with a rate of 17%. It is precisely the perception of mental well-being that is declining: In 2022, a percentage of 20% was reported, dropping to 18% in 2023. Every year, work is confirmed as the main cause of stress and anxiety, especially among the younger population. According to this year’s report, globally, 57% of young people said they are experiencing serious mental difficulties – a figure that goes hand in hand with the 53% of workers interviewed who report above-average anxiety levels.

Faced with growing difficulties in managing the weight of stress, some young workers are trying out specific strategies to balance their private lives and professional career in an attempt to avoid burnout. In this context, a concept that is gaining popularity is "micro-retirement" – a kind of temporary break from one's professional path with the aim of focusing more on oneself. The term, coined in 2007 by lifestyle guru Timothy Ferriss, has recently resurfaced, thanks to social media. The underlying idea is that you don’t have to wait for retirement to enjoy life to the fullest, but that it’s better to plan a series of work breaks throughout one’s career. This approach differs from a traditional sabbatical year because it aims to become a real lifestyle, alternating periods of work with more or less long moments of pause. However, there are concerns, especially regarding the economic sustainability of the practice – making this option somewhat naive and, ultimately, difficult to implement for many young workers. This trend fits into a broader phenomenon known as "quiet quitting," which can be summarized as “resigning without actually resigning.” In recent years, this practice has become increasingly popular among workers under 30 and beyond, with the aim of detaching one’s identity from their professional career and thus experiencing work in a less stressful way.