How is Gen Z faring?

The Nuffield Foundation’s  Grown up? Journeys to adulthood programme explores how young people aged 14 to 24 navigate the transition to adulthood – and what this means for policy, research and society. This discussion introduced the Grown Up? programme and early insights from its research, featuring data presented by John Burn-Murdoch (Financial Times) and a panel connecting this evidence to wider debates about how society can better support the next generation. The event explored the realities of Gen Z’s lives and what it takes to create conditions where all young people can thrive.

About Grown Up?

We face critical gaps in understanding how Generation Z is experiencing this phase of life – and how policies and systems can better support them throughout their journeys to adulthood.

Grown up? explores the realities of becoming an adult across four interconnected areas:

• Pathways to independence: What helps young people move forward, particularly without financial support from family and carers? We examine the social, psychological, and economic steps to adulthood.
• Education to work: What does meaningful, sustainable work look like for Gen Z? We explore how to better support young people, especially those with disrupted journeys to adulthood.
• Digital lives: How are young people living, learning and connecting in online spaces – and what does this mean for policy and support?
• Mental health and well-being: How do life transitions impact young people’s mental health and well-being? We look at the challenges – and what can help.