Recent studies and expert testimony suggest that Gen Z may be the first generation in modern history to record lower average IQ and cognitive test scores compared to Millennials and Gen X. While they have unprecedented access to information, experts have pointed to a decline in certain cognitive measures, including attention, memory, literacy, and numeracy. Instagram +1
Earlier this year, in written testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, neuroscientist Jared Cooney Horvath said that Gen Z is less cognitively capable than previous generations, despite its unprecedented access to technology.
Recent studies suggest that Gen Z is the first and only generation to be less intelligent than the one before it, making millennials the only generation to outperform the younger generation that followed.
Generation Z is the most educated generation yet, with higher college enrollment than Millennials at the same age and growing interest in practical pathways like trade schools and certifications.
Gen Z youth, or “Zoomers,” have lower rates of smoking than adults from other age groups. They're also less likely to drink alcohol. The pattern holds when you look back in time: Today's Gen Z youth drink less than Millennials or Gen X kids did when they were young.
The claim that Gen Z is aging faster than Millennials or other generations is a myth. There's no scientific evidence that their biological aging is accelerating. Instead, the idea is fueled by social media comparisons, cultural trends, lifestyle habits, and environmental stressors.
loudly crying face emoji ð
For Gen Z, this emoji is more exclusively used to indicate positive feelings, like when something is so funny, cute, or sweet that it's totally overwhelming. Example: “Look at my puppy wearing his new Halloween costume. ð”
In 2021, 22% of Gen Xers admitted to daily struggles with stress followed by Millennials (17%), Gen Z (14%), and Baby Boomers (8%). Gen X may have aged its way into the most stressful part of its life, but things could be a lot worse.
Based on data from WalletHub's 2025 report on the most and least educated states in America, here are the top 25 least educated states: 1. West Virginia 2. Louisiana 3. Arkansas 4.
Generation Z: The Woke Generation. Born after 1997, the students of Generation Z make up a majority of today's undergraduate population. Members of Gen Z are more racially and ethnically diverse than any previous generation – they're also on track to be the most well-educated generation yet.
97 IQ is not low. 85-115 is considered average . 68% of people score in this range.
62% of Managers Say Gen Z Is the Hardest Generation to Engage at Work. Findings from Kahoot!'s 2025 Workplace Engagement Report reveal that managers are struggling to unlock Gen Z engagement - with more than a third saying they've considered quitting themselves due to disengagement at work.
Bush), and four presidents have been baby boomers (Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump); two presidents were members of the Lost Generation (Harry S. Truman; and Dwight D. Eisenhower), only one President, Joe Biden, has been a member of the Silent Generation.
Research suggests Gen Z is showing a decline in cognitive skills, including memory, attention, and problem-solving, compared to previous generations. Experts say this may be linked to changes in learning habits, heavy digital use, and overreliance on technology during key stages of brain development.
Sam Altman says Gen Z are the 'luckiest' kids in all of history thanks to AI, despite mounting job displacement dread | Fortune.
The trend continues beyond identity into belief. While 73 percent of all Gen Z say they believe in God or a higher power and 47 percent believe Jesus is the only way to God, those numbers drop significantly among young adult women ages 18–24.
Niger. Of the countries on this list, Niger has the lowest average for educational attainment: just 1.4 years (out of an expected 8.3).
Massachusetts ranked as the most educated state, leading the nation in adults with bachelor's and graduate degrees. According to the data, the state also had strong public schools, top university quality and high student test scores.
The Brief. A new WalletHub study ranks Visalia, California, as the least-educated city in the entire U.S.
According to reports, a new study shows young people are now unhappier than middle-aged adults, reversing the usual “midlife unhappiness hump.” The research raises concerns about Gen Z (ages 12–28), who report higher levels of despair and anxiety than previous generations.
But Gen X—born somewhere between 1965 and 1980—has been largely forgotten about (although even saying that has become a cliché of sorts). Alongside all of this finger-pointing among the generations are claims that, actually, we were the cool ones—no, it was me!
Recent research shows that members of the Baby Boomer generation have worse health than previous generations did at the same ages—diabetes, heart disease and other chronic illnesses are more common.
From a girl, the ð¦ (sweat droplets) emoji often means arousal, sexual fluids (like vaginal wetness or "juice"), or intense attraction, signaling someone finds you very hot, but it can also mean literal sweat, being overwhelmed, or even "dripping" with style, so context is key, often paired with emojis like ð, ð, or ð to confirm its spicy meaning.
While some might see it as rude, experts say the Gen Z stare is more about how the generation was raised and how it communicates. Gen Z grew up with the internet, social media and hours of screen time. The coronavirus pandemic also meant these young people spent years communicating through computers.
10. Salty. Gen Z uses this term when they're feeling jealous.