New report reveals Gen Z's priorities - not just in the West, but worldwide

A new report, published today and authored by Peter Dray, reveals that "Generation Z" prizes living better, not just living longer.

Gen Z Insights for Global Student Ministry - published by the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES) - examines four "Gen Z" traits across multiple countries: pursuit of wellbeing; digital immersion; cultural awareness; and spiritual openness.

Gen Z people are those born between 1997 and 2012.

What makes this report unique? IFES shared with en: "Although studies on this demographic have been published by other organisations, they have been conducted largely in the West. Most Gen Z students live in the Majority World [territories outside of what has been known as the West, North America, Europe, and sometimes Australia]; more than a quarter live in South Asia alone."

Dray (commissioned by IFES to do the report) has more than 20 years of student ministry experience with the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship (UCCF; the IFES movement in the UK). He was asked to "connect with a geographically diverse range of students to explore what experiences exist within its fellowship." Students and/or staff from eight countries were visited or consulted for the report: the UK, Ireland, Kenya, Singapore, Hong Kong, Timor-Leste, and two nations in the Middle East/North Africa.

The report - described as a response to a "need" - draws on interviews and focus groups conducted with students, staff, and leaders from the IFES network, with the purpose of unpacking each trait in light of its implications for ministry. Annette Arulrajah, IFES' Associate General Secretary, said: “Gen Z – the largest generation yet – is passing through our college campuses and joining staff, and they are reshaping student ministry.”

Pursuit of wellbeing

According to IFES, Gen Z prizes living better, not just living longer. In every country studied for the report, digital fatigue and mental health challenges were "major" concerns expressed. "Gen Z expects the communities around them, including the church and student groups, to support their quest for wellbeing," IFES said. "Student ministries need to consider how to respond."

Digital immersion

The report reveals that digital immersion has a part to play in shaping what Gen Z values.

IFES shared the example of communication - within which Gen Z prefers brevity with depth, and authenticity. One student commented: “My friends want to see that Christianity is real, not just right."

Cultural awareness

A sense of shared generational identity is purportedly possessed by Gen Z; greater cultural awareness, and connectivity, have created a dual dynamic contributing to this "unity."

Alongside this, individual identity is reported to have become increasingly important among today's young adults. "This highlights a need to foster student communities that celebrate God-given differences while finding deeper unity in Christ," says IFES.

Furthermore, increased diversity in the student body is being reported. "Today's student ministry is intercultural," IFES says. The organisation emphasises the need, therefore, for students and staff to be equipped to cross cultural boundaries with the gospel, and ministries would do well to ensure that leadership structures reflect the ethnic diversity seen on campuses.

Spiritual openness

Perhaps unsurprisingly for those who are familiar with the Bible Society's Quiet Revival report, an increased spiritual openness is seen among Generation Z. "In every country visited, students reported that their generation is more willing than their parents were to change their spiritual beliefs," IFES reports. "Yet in a world where spiritual exploration is fluid and personalised, ministries need to find ways to present the uniqueness of Christ."

Where to go from here?

Peter Dray said: “The profound shifts we’re seeing among Gen Z signal a potentially very exciting moment for global student ministry, presenting opportunities and challenges.

“The report offers practical frameworks for ministry adaptation and intergenerational collaboration in our rapidly evolving global student context.

"I hope and pray it will kickstart discussions about how to effectively partner with Gen Z to help advance Christ’s kingdom in the world’s universities.”

The report is part of a new set of multimedia resources being launched by IFES. For more information, or to download the report - available in English, French, and Spanish - visit ifesworld.org/gen-z.