Generation Z in Malta, born approximately between 1997 and 2012 have grown up in an exciting era, which has influenced their work and learning opportunities.
We're learning more and more about Gen Alpha, born between 2012 and 2025, as the first wave reaches adolescence. We're digging into what defines these up-and-coming generations, from how technology shapes their lives to how to decode their slang.
They might be young, but Gen Alphas are already a cultural powerhouse with their viral memes and slang terms quickly taking over pop culture. Another result of constant connection is that more and more Gen Alphas are prioritising screen-free time and face-to-face interactions. AI as a normal: They've never known a world without voice assistants and algorithmic recommendations.
Everything from their YouTube feed to their learning apps adapts to them individually and they are more comfortable speaking to devices than typing. Expect immediate, personalised responses to questions as they may have shorter attention spans for non-interactive content. These challenges have made mental health a mainstream conversation.
Gen Z openly discusses therapy, boundaries, and self-care, destigmatising topics older generations whispered about. Gen Alpha is benefiting from this openness, with schools integrating mindfulness practices and emotional literacy into curricula.
Here is a brief comparison of Millennials and Gen Z in relation to these opportunities. Millennials experienced the transition from analogue to digital technology. They witnessed the rise of the internet, social media, and smartphones during their formative years or early adulthood. It's easy to view younger generations through a lens of nostalgia, but that misses the point.
Gen Z and Alpha aren't better or worse than previous generations, they're different, moulded by unique circumstances. Their challenges are unprecedented: navigating AI-dominated job markets, mitigating climate disasters, and healing societal divisions. Yet their adaptability, tech-savviness, and moral clarity position them to tackle these issues in innovative ways.
In Malta, many Millennials entered the job market during the last Recession (2009-2012) or its aftermath, which affected their career trajectories and earning potential. To be fair, in Malta, Millennials are among the most educated generations, with a significant number holding college degrees. As can be expected they have been instrumental in pushing for work-life balance, flexible work hours, and the ability to work remotely; trends that have become more mainstream over time.
This also benefited Gen Z as a group which has grown up entirely in the digital age, with intuitive knowledge of the internet, social media, and mobile technology. They are considered true digital natives. Locally, the past decade saw improved job opportunities and mobility among workers. Gen Z is entering the workforce during a time of economic recovery and inflation but also faced the economic implications of the Covid-19 pandemic. Like Millennials, (born between 1981 and 1996), Gen Z place a high value on education.
However, they are also more sceptical about the value of traditional higher education and are more open to alternative learning paths, such as online courses, and self-directed learning. Surveys show that regrettably 70% of Gen Z wish to leave Malta and find better pastures abroad. Locally, one can assess how Millennials have adapted to new technology as it emerged, while Gen Z has never known a world without it, making them even more tech-savvy and reliant on digital communication.
Studies show how both generations seek flexibility and meaningful work, but Gen Z may place even more emphasis on these aspects, along with diversity, inclusivity, and social responsibility in the workplace. Hence, Gen Z have high ambitions and expect more from current local job opportunities, conscious of the high cost of accommodation and the long servitude of 30 years to redeem mortgages based on current salary scales.
Comparing studies in Europe, one notes note that among Gen Z, juvenile crime and anti-social behaviour have dropped. Teenagers are also having less sex, especially of the procreative kind. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, there are arguments both for and against such measures, especially when considering their impact on Generation Z.
Our culture minister in Castille may sustain that reducing screen time can encourage individuals to engage in other activities, such as physical exercise, reading, or spending quality time with family and friends, which can enhance overall well-being. It has been scientifically tested that blue light emitted by screens can disrupt sleep patterns. Limiting use, especially before bedtime, can lead to better sleep quality.
In this country, since the voting age was lowered to include 16-year-olds, all political parties rightly place great importance on how Gen Z is treated. Castille may wish to be seen as compromising on the true solution. At a time when AI is challenging all walks of life, it is essential that Gen Z students become more familiar with STEM subjects and related technologies from an early stage. Encouraging digital literacy, including education on the responsible use of technology, and fostering the ecology, can be more effective than imposing strict limitations on screen use. It's also important to recognise now that technology is deeply integrated into modern life, that we need to learn how to coexist with it in a healthy way as it is a valuable skill.
On the other hand, Gen Z is characterised by their emphasis on diversity, inclusivity, and social justice. They are vocal about issues such as gender equality, racial justice, and LGBTQ rights, and are more likely to engage in activism and advocacy. When it comes to values and beliefs, Gen Alpha and Gen Z exhibit some differences. Gen Alpha is known for being more environmentally-conscious and socially aware. They are often raised in eco-friendly households and are taught the importance of sustainability from a young age.
Let us augur that the new year ushers a better future for both. A group in the UK called the Smartphone-Free Childhood, has more than 60,000 followers debating how to keep their children away from the demon devices. Last month, we noted how the state of Florida passed a law banning social media for under 14s. Britain's government is reportedly considering a ban on mobile phone sales to under 16s. Two months ago Daisy Greenwell and Clare Fernyhough set up a WhatsApp group to discuss how to stave off their young children's demands for smartphones. After they posted about their plans on Instagram, other parents joined. Smartphones and social media can be tarnished with a broad brush as the chief villains. Smartphones are so alluring that they reduce interest in all other activities.
Back home, as the public sector holds on to most of its employees, even though they complain about staff turnover yet by contrast there are several private sector employers that are happy to hang on to their employees for at least 12 months. Some employers would tell you that they consider staff turnover a positive thing as it brings fresh blood. However, due to staff shortages, others view it as a setback, as they lose individuals whom they would otherwise have trained. Is there an ideal level of staff turnover that employers should aim for to maintain a healthy workforce?
In Malta, as stated earlier, Gen Z has never experienced an economic recession, with the exception of the Covid years, and even that was a subdued recession. In conclusion, the increasing number of imported non-Maltese workers has not escaped the sight of Gen Z. They observe low-level jobs being taken up by non-Maltese workers because they are paid low wages.
If the trend of importing foreign workers continues at the pace it is happening today, they will start taking over higher-level jobs and edge out Maltese Gen Zs.
Can Castille lower its binoculars to sharply focus on the merits and well-being of the Gen Z generation?
George M. Mangion is a senior partner at PKF Malta