Recent studies revealed that Gen Z is the first generation to be less intelligent than the one before it, making millennials the only generation to outperform the younger generation that followed.
According to Dr Jared Cooney Horvath, a former teacher-turned-neuroscientist, he told the US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation that although Gen Z had greater exposure to formal education than earlier generations, their intelligence levels declined sharply. He said education systems dependent on technology caused the generation to fall behind. He also shared data that showed that cognitive abilities began to decline around 2010.
Beyond intelligence, Gen Zs are also different from their previous generation in terms of alcohol consumption. Gallup polling shows U.S. young adults (18-34) are less likely to drink than two decades ago — about 62% now report drinking, down from 72% in the early 2000s — and they also drink less often than before.
Some academic and industry reports suggest that Gen Z drinks about 20 % less alcohol per capita than Millennials did at the same age, reflecting broader shifts toward moderation, health awareness and changing drinking habits across countries.
Meanwhile, according to the P-Fin Index, Gen Z scores the lowest (38%) compared to Millennials (46%). Despite lower literacy, Gen Z has a higher active savings rate (28%) compared to Millennials (22%). Gen Z uses AI-driven apps and “micro-saving” tools that automate the process, while Millennials rely on traditional (and often slower) strategy-based planning.
Gen Zs also keep a track of their mental health more than the millennials. According to American Psychological Association, Gen Z is 27% more likely than Millennials to report their mental health as “fair” or “poor.” However, they are also significantly more likely to seek professional help, indicating a data spike in “diagnoses” rather than just “illness.”
From drinking habits to decision-making styles, Gen Z shows distinct patterns compared to Millennials.
