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Facts About Gen Z Challenges in Career and Mental Health

As a generation that grows up in the middle of fast social and technological changes, Gen Z now plays an important role in shaping new trends and dynamics in Indonesia. To understand their lifestyle and views, Jakpat conducted a survey of 1,158 respondents aged 17–28 years.

Career

When choosing a job, 71% of Gen Z still place salary and compensation as their top consideration. But other factors also matter, such as a supportive work environment (57%) and long-term career growth opportunities (55%). Work-life balance (50%) is also a priority for them.

Aska Primardi, Head of Research at Jakpat, explains that Gen Z in Indonesia is now in a productive but challenging phase. “As a new workforce, they have to face a stagnant formal job market. Even though the national economy is growing, the growth is mostly driven by capital-intensive sectors that rely on automation and high technology, not by labor-intensive sectors that can absorb many workers.”

The biggest challenge Gen Z feels when entering the workforce is increasing competition (63%). Aska adds, “As a result, many Gen Z shift to the gig economy, a system of short-term contracts or freelance projects run through digital platforms. This situation forces them to become ‘multi-role individuals’ who must manage their own schedule, unstable income, and social security without the stable protection offered by traditional companies.”

Mental Health

Amid economic pressure and productivity demands, Gen Z shows a more open attitude toward mental health. Almost half of those who experience mental health issues say they trust professional services such as consultations, therapy, or medication to help them recover emotionally.

“Different from previous generations who tended to stay silent, Gen Z is very open about emotional vulnerability and sees it as a normal part of overall health. This awareness drives them to be more proactive in seeking help, from counseling through health apps to face-to-face therapy,” Aska explains.

Most triggers of mental health issues among Gen Z are related to worries about the future (60%). Other triggers include financial pressure (57%), social expectations (42%), and feeling powerless in situations they cannot control (36%).

The most common problems they experience are mood swings (62%), sleep issues either difficulty sleeping or oversleeping (50%), excessive anxiety (38%), and difficulty managing emotions (38%).

To conclude, Aska states that Gen Z is the most vulnerable generation in the formal economy, yet the most emotionally resilient.