💼❌ Are Gen Z Workers Getting Fired?

You've probably heard Gen Zers are getting fired in record numbers, but are they?

Articles and social media posts are flying around claiming Gen Z professionals (born 1995 and after) are getting fired in record numbers. Most of them reference this study which surveyed hiring managers, and it found that Gen Z is struggling in the workplace. I’m sure there is validity to that — I genuinely cannot imagine developing professional acumen while starting a career in a fully remote-work environment after a life-long direct dopamine injection.

But, is macro data showing a wave of Gen Z layoffs? I can’t really find it. If you squint, you might see an uptick in unemployment amongst younger men. While not an enormous increase, this is consistent with the narrative surrounding the struggles of younger dudes.

Regardless, the unemployment rate for men and women ages 20-24 has been pretty consistent, on average, since 2022: 7.7% for men; 6.3% for women. Meanwhile, the overall unemployment rate has been remarkably low for several years. Since 2022, young men’s unemployment rate has averaged +3.9% higher than the overall U.S. average, while young women’s unemployment rates have averaged +2.5% higher. Always be skeptical of viral economics!