Are millennials healthier than Gen Z? Unpacking the generational wellness gap

October 2, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2022 Gallup report, less than half of Gen Z individuals (47%) consider themselves as “thriving” in their lives, the lowest rate among any generation, raising the question: Are millennials healthier than Gen Z?. The answer is complex, revealing trade-offs in mental and physical well-being, risk behaviors, and approaches to technology.

Quick Summary

A comparison reveals Gen Z reports higher mental health struggles, though with less stigma and more active treatment-seeking. Millennials, in turn, demonstrate more consistent physical activity but face higher rates of certain chronic conditions at younger ages. Both generations are shaped by different societal and technological landscapes, influencing their overall health.

Key Points

Mental Health Crisis: Gen Z reports significantly higher rates of poor mental health, anxiety, and depression compared to millennials at the same age.
Reduced Stigma: Gen Z is more open about discussing mental health and seeking professional help, driven by reduced stigma and accessible telehealth options.
Physical Activity Gap: Some data indicates millennials are more consistently physically active, whereas Gen Z shows potential declines and higher sedentary behavior.
Lower Risky Behaviors: Gen Z engages in fewer adolescent risky behaviors like smoking, drinking, and drug use compared to millennials at the same age, although vaping is a new concern.
Rising Chronic Conditions: Both generations are affected by rising chronic conditions and obesity rates, with some data suggesting an accelerated trend for Gen Z.
Tech-Driven Wellness: Both generations are tech-savvy in their approach to health, but Gen Z's full digital immersion contributes to unique mental health and social comparison pressures.

The evolving health landscape for two digital generations

For decades, health trends could be mapped in a relatively linear fashion, with chronic diseases appearing later in life. However, for millennials (born 1981–1996) and Gen Z (born 1997–2012), the picture is far more complicated. These two generations, who grew up alongside technology but in vastly different economic and social climates, demonstrate contrasting health profiles that challenge traditional assumptions. While millennials were once heralded as the “wellness generation,” recent data suggests that Gen Z is grappling with unprecedented mental health challenges and potential physical health downturns, despite showing lower rates of risky behaviors compared to millennials at the same age.

The mental health disparity: Awareness vs. outcomes

Gen Z adults are reporting significantly higher rates of poor mental health and distress than millennials did at the same age. Multiple factors contribute to this disparity, including social and economic stressors, the pressures of growing up as digital natives, and increased exposure to comparison and online harassment. However, Gen Z also benefits from reduced stigma around mental health and is more likely to seek help, often utilizing telehealth options. This increased willingness to discuss and address mental health may contribute to higher diagnosis rates but also indicates a more proactive approach to well-being.

Physical activity and wellness engagement

Some reports suggest millennials are more consistently physically active than Gen Z. Data from 2022 indicated a drop in Gen Z exercise rates, with less than half of young adults exercising at least weekly. Millennials, on the other hand, appear to have maintained their engagement with fitness and nutrition habits. This difference could be influenced by higher stress levels and more sedentary time linked to digital life among Gen Z.

Chronic conditions and obesity trends

Both generations are facing a rise in chronic health issues at younger ages, largely driven by increasing obesity rates. While millennials were noted for being a heavier generation in midlife, some data suggests Gen Z is experiencing a faster increase in obesity. A 2024 study found that similar percentages of Gen Z and millennials reported having at least one chronic condition, indicating Gen Z is not immune to these issues despite their younger age.

Comparing health factors: A generational snapshot


Health Metric	Millennials	Gen Z	Insights
Mental Health	Increased awareness compared to Gen X and Boomers; generally lower self-reported anxiety and depression rates than Gen Z at the same age.	Higher self-reported rates of anxiety, depression, and psychological distress; more likely to seek therapy and embrace telehealth.	Gen Z reports worse mental health but benefits from reduced stigma and greater access to care.
Physical Activity	Often more consistently active and engaged with structured fitness and nutrition programs.	Reports inconsistent or declining exercise rates; higher sedentary behavior linked to digital habits.	Millennials show more consistent physical habits, while Gen Z exhibits higher rates of sedentary behavior.
Risky Behaviors	Higher rates of adolescent risky behaviors (e.g., smoking, drinking) compared to Gen Z during their high school years.	Significantly lower rates of adolescent risky behaviors like smoking, drinking, and drug use; vaping, however, is a notable concern.	Gen Z is more risk-averse in traditional areas, possibly due to heightened anxiety, though new risks like vaping emerge.
Chronic Conditions	Experience high rates of chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension as they age into middle adulthood.	On a potential trajectory for earlier onset of chronic conditions, with rising obesity rates at younger ages.	Both generations face a high burden of chronic illness, but the onset appears to be accelerating for Gen Z.
Wellness Approach	Embraced “wellness” as a lifestyle, driven by fitness and nutrition trends; more reliant on “Dr. Google”.	Prioritizes mental health equally with physical health; heavily influenced by social media (“Dr. TikTok”) and functional nutrition.	Gen Z expands the wellness definition to include mental health, while millennials historically focused more on fitness and diet.

The role of technology in wellness

Technology significantly influences the health of both generations. Millennials used early tech for health tracking, while Gen Z fully integrates it, from wearables to seeking health advice on social media. This deep integration, however, contributes to mental health challenges like stress from constant connectivity. Both generations favor digital healthcare solutions, though Gen Z shows more distrust in traditional providers and relies heavily on online information, raising concerns about misinformation.

The road ahead

It is difficult to definitively state whether millennials or Gen Z are healthier, as they face different health challenges and exhibit different strengths. Gen Z has lower rates of traditional risky behaviors and a more open approach to mental health, but struggles with higher rates of mental health issues. Millennials, conversely, show more consistent physical activity but face increasing rates of chronic conditions at younger ages. Socioeconomic factors, technology, and evolving societal attitudes all play a role in these generational health profiles. Recognizing these distinctions is crucial for developing targeted health interventions and employee benefit packages. The increased focus on holistic wellness, particularly by Gen Z, could lead to more integrated mental and physical healthcare solutions. Further research is necessary to fully understand the long-term health trajectories of these generations.

For more data on generational health in the workforce, resources like Health Action Council reports can provide valuable insights.

Conclusion

Comparing the health of millennials and Gen Z reveals no clear “winner.” Gen Z excels in avoiding traditional risky behaviors and reducing mental health stigma but experiences a significant mental health crisis. Millennials maintain more consistent physical activity but are seeing concerning rates of chronic conditions at a younger age. Both generations are shaping the future of healthcare with their demand for technology-driven and personalized wellness, highlighting the need for strategies tailored to their unique challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Gen Z adults report higher rates of anxiety, depression, and overall poor mental health compared to millennials at the same life stage. While alarming, this may also reflect Gen Z's greater willingness to openly report and seek treatment for mental health issues.

Reports are mixed, but some research indicates millennials are more consistently physically active and engaged in structured fitness. Other data suggests Gen Z exercise rates have declined, possibly due to more sedentary, tech-focused lifestyles.

As the older generation, millennials currently show higher rates of chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. However, Gen Z shows a concerning trend of rising obesity at a younger age, potentially indicating an earlier onset of chronic diseases.

Yes. Both are drawn to convenient, tech-enabled healthcare options like telehealth. However, Gen Z shows a greater distrust in traditional healthcare providers, often relying more heavily on digital sources and social media for health information.

Data from the CDC shows that Gen Z, in their teen years, engaged in less smoking, drinking, and drug use than millennials did at the same age. This may be linked to higher rates of anxiety and a more risk-averse mindset.

Gen Z, as digital natives, are more deeply integrated into social media, which contributes to increased stress from comparison and doomscrolling. While millennials adapted to earlier forms of digital engagement, Gen Z's constant connectivity significantly impacts their mental well-being.

Both generations prioritize wellness but differ in emphasis. Gen Z places significantly more importance on mental health and appearance, whereas millennials traditionally focused more heavily on fitness and general wellness activities.

It indicates significant struggles with well-being, but not a simple lack of health. Gen Z's openness about mental health and proactive treatment-seeking represents a positive shift, even as they face higher rates of anxiety and depression.