What makes Gen Z happy?

Leading happiness expert Arthur C. Brooks partnered with Gallup and the Walton Family Foundation to survey over 2,000 Gen Z individuals aged 12 to 26 and take a closer look at what makes them happy.

The survey revealed that 73% of Gen Z believe they are very happy or somewhat happy.

But Zach Hrynowski, the survey's author and senior researcher at Gallup, said: "As Generation Z reaches adulthood, from age 18 onwards, we see pretty big differences in happiness levels."

He added that there was also a decline among Generation Z members over 18 compared to those under 18, due to factors such as "feeling that your life has meaning and direction."

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The number one factor influencing Gen Z's happiness is having purpose.

One of the most important findings of the survey is that what most influences the happiness of Generation Z is "their sense of purpose at work or school."

However, "between 43% and 49% of Gen Z do not feel that what they do each day is interesting, important, or motivating," the report states.

In Brooks' course on happiness at Harvard University, he suggests treating your happiness as an investment portfolio and investing in four areas; one of those areas is meaningful work.

Brooks encourages people to prioritize work that brings them fulfillment, even if it's not the highest-paying job.

David Spicer, 23, a high school English teacher, said working in the same school system where he was once a student fueled his purpose.

Spicer likes being "in a position where you can address situations that might have been a better experience for you as a child, whether it's about how you teach or your relationship with students," he shared with CNBC Make It.

He said, "Although I am 10 years older than my students, I realize that I have many things in common with them, which adds to their happiness and my own."

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4 major factors influencing the happiness of Gen Z.

The survey revealed these are the top four factors influencing the happiness of Generation Z:

Purpose and significance

Basic needs and security

Negative emotions and social pressure

Positive social connections

Basic needs like sleep and relaxation have a significant impact on whether Gen Z is happy or not.

They also tend to feel less positive when comparing themselves to others.

Direct interaction is good for Gen Z's health.

One key takeaway from the survey is that the happiest Gen Z individuals “are at least twice as likely to say they often feel loved, supported, and connected to those around them.”

However, only about one-third of Gen Z say they don't often feel supported or loved by others.

“There’s a perception that Gen Z is truly connected, but are those connections high-quality? Do they give you the love and support you really need?” – Hrynowski said.

The report indicates that social media may contribute to this. Gen Z may have many online relationships with their peers, but many of these relationships may lack depth.

He said, "Those connections, especially on social media, [Brooks] calls them the snacks of social connections."

"Like junk food, you can eat it, you'll feel full for 10-15 minutes, but it's empty calories and you find yourself not getting the satisfaction you need in terms of real social connection."

It's important for Gen Z not to rely solely on social media to interact with their friends. Hrynoski says, "Those who spend more time with their friends and family are more likely to experience lasting satisfaction."

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