US GEN ZERS AND MILLENNIALS ARE BURNING OUT, POLL FINDS

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A new survey shows that Gen Zers and millennials are burning out by age 25—years earlier than past generations.

At just 25 years old, many young Americans are already experiencing the kind of exhaustion once associated with midlife, according to a new survey.

The survey from Talker Research has found that one in four Americans report hitting peak burnout before turning 30, challenging long-held assumptions about when life's pressures reach their peak.

The findings offer a stark glimpse into the state of modern stress.

While previous generations often faced their most significant mental and emotional strain in their 40s—juggling careers, family and financial responsibilities—Generation Zers and millennials are encountering intense levels of burnout much earlier in life.

The poll of 2,000 U.S. adults, conducted online from February 7 to February 10, provides critical insight into the factors driving this generational shift.

Burnout at 25

The survey results indicate that while the average American experiences peak burnout at around 42 years old, Gen Z and millennial respondents—ages 18 to 44—reported reaching their highest levels of stress at an average age of just 25.

The data suggests younger generations may be facing an accelerated or compressed experience of life stressors, far earlier than previous generations.

"Gen Z and millennials are trying to find their way in an environment set up by previous generations," Sharon Claffey, Ph.D., professor of psychology at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, told Newsweek. "What worked for Boomers is not working for them, and they are frustrated.

"A sense of learned helplessness and lack of control may be contributing to their stress."

According to the survey, the average American reports functioning at about half their total stress capacity—already a concerning level for mental health. But the strain is significantly more pronounced among younger adults.

While 37 percent of Generation X and older respondents said they were feeling highly stressed, Gen Z and millennial participants reported an even higher number—51 percent—indicating that they were struggling with overwhelming pressure.

Financial concerns emerged as the leading driver of burnout, with 30 percent of respondents citing money matters as their top stressor. This was followed by politics at 26 percent, work-related pressures and physical health concerns.

For younger Americans, work stress was the most significant factor, followed by financial instability and mental health struggles. In contrast, older generations—Gen X, baby boomers and the Silent Generation—identified politics as their primary stressor, with physical health concerns ranking second.

"There is a common expectation that young adults should attend college after high school," Claffey said. "In fact, many jobs require a college degree.

"However, the cost of college is exponentially higher for Gen Z and millennials than previous generations, and students leave these institutions with large amounts of debt which is incredibly stressful."

How Social Media Contributes to Burnout

Beyond financial and work-related stress, the role of social media in exacerbating burnout cannot be ignored. The survey found that younger respondents were particularly susceptible to stress caused by digital exposure.

"Social media makes upward social comparisons incredibly easy and problematic," Claffey said. "If people we follow online are posting photos of themselves living their best lives, we can feel pressure to compete even if we do not have the resources to do so."

The political landscape has also intensified stress levels across all age groups. The 2025 survey found that nearly a third of Americans expect the coming year to be even more stressful than the previous three. But 42 percent remain hopeful that the rest of this year will be better than the last.

Despite the generational divide in stress levels, there is one striking consensus: Most Americans believe entering adulthood today is harder than ever. A staggering 83 percent of those surveyed said becoming an adult now is more challenging than it was a decade ago, and 72 percent expect it to become even more difficult in the years ahead.

Karishma Patel Buford, chief people officer of Spring Health, also told Newsweek that Gen Z and millennials are under particularly high levels of stress due to constant exposure to their stressors.

"The increased use of technology amplifies the pressure and feelings of burnout for these individuals—especially since we are more connected to social media and technology than ever, we are disconnected from our real lives," Buford told Newsweek.

"Social media intensifies these external pressures and also internalizes feelings of stress because of comparisons, constant exposure to others' achievements and success, news fatigue from information overload, blurring boundaries between work and personal life, and more.

"Social media amplifies something that we call 'microstressors,' which are small, everyday hassles and pressures that accumulate."

Buford said that this can lead to burnout and emotional distress over time.

The Road Ahead

As burnout levels continue to rise among Gen Zers and millennials, experts are raising concerns about the long-term implications of early stress exposure. While financial insecurity, work stress and the political climate remain major contributors, the growing presence of social media and digital connectivity appears to be amplifying these struggles.

"Younger generations are less able to avoid stressors than previous generations, who didn't have social media as they were entering adulthood," Claffey added. "Our phones make it nearly impossible to disconnect, and that is taking a toll.

"We are flooded with political messages that may or may not be accurate, and because our phones are so accessible, so are these political messages and it can feel inescapable."

As America's youngest adults navigate these pressures, the question of how to prevent a culture of burnout from becoming the new normal becomes even more important.

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