NEWS
January 28th 2026

Study ‘Compass Gen Z’ on the lives of young people in Germany

Gen Z = Generation authentic? Or rather cautious and fragile? 
For the ‘Initiative for Real Life’ project, we conducted a large-scale study to explore the lifestyles and identities of 16- to 28-year-olds in Germany.

Düsseldorf, 28 January 2026
For the ‘Compass Gen Z’ study, moweb research surveyed young people aged 16 to 28 on behalf of the ‘Initiative for Real Life e.V.’ (IFEL) between October and November 2025. The online survey by moweb (1,008 people) was supplemented by 191 qualitative interviews conducted using new AI software from the xelper institute in Cologne. This mix of methods yielded a multi-layered picture of how Gen Z currently experiences and evaluates itself and its world.  

Some findings from the survey of 1,199 people

Identity and self-image
• 53.1% value relationships more than material things (male: 46.9%; female: 59.2%)
• 41.9% say: Honesty is the most important value to me (m: 34.6%; f: 49.8%) 

Wishes, hopes and dreams
• 38% believe that their dreams can come true (m: 44.4%; f: 31.8%)
• 41.9% of all respondents want a balance between digital and ‘real’ experiences

Worries and fears
• 39% are currently most concerned about mental stress (m: 31.3%; f: 47.5%)
• Climate change and environmental destruction, on the other hand, are only mentioned by 16% 

Inspiration and motivation
• 32% lack the mental strength to really get started (m: 26.7%; f: 36.9%)
• 60% are mainly inspired by friends or acquaintances (by influencers: only 29%)

Skills and learning
• 22% cite a positive mindset as their desired skill (m: 16.9%; f: 27.1%)
• 32% say ‘I prefer to learn new skills on social media’ (school/university: 20%)  

Outlook for the future
• 30.8% have a clear idea of what their life will be like in 10 years
• 56% believe that Gen Z will have a positive impact on society (m: 62.1%; f: 51.7%)

In our study presentation, all results are broken down by gender, age group (16–19; 20–23; 24–28 years), social status (school pupil/student; employed; unemployed) and place of residence (urban; rural). 

Further findings from the study

• For Gen Z, authenticity and self-determination are more important than putting on a good show on social media.
• Young people face (what they perceive to be) high pressure from all sides, which they counter with a very self-critical perception and little self-confidence.
• Their strong desire for security is contrasted by considerable economic concerns.
• Added to this are doubts about their future mental health, influenced by global crises, personal overload, social pressure and the fear of loneliness. 
• However, Gen Z also says that soft skills such as discipline and empathy are the most sought-after personal skills, but in an increasingly fragile world, they leave little room for manoeuvre or even visions for a better future.

Joint publishers of Compass Gen Z: moweb research & IFEL

The study arose from the need of the ‘Initiative for Real Life’ to understand young people in Germany in a more differentiated way, i.e. their identities, perspectives, desires, concerns, motivations and visions of the future. 

The results will help IFEL to empower and encourage Gen Z more effectively in the future to find their own path – and then to follow it. This will enable them to develop their potential and thus advance themselves and society as a whole.

Study design for the full report (127 pages)

• Zielgruppe: Allgemeinbevölkerung Deutschlands im Alter von 16 bis 28 Jahren
• Erhebungsform: Quotierte Onlinebefragung im Mixed-Methods-Ansatz
• Kombination aus standardisierten Messungen und explorativen Textdaten
• Quantitatives Verfahren: Standardisierter Online-Fragebogen
• Qualitatives Verfahren: Textbasierte KI-Chatbot-Explorationen mit xelper
• Stichprobengröße: n= 1.008 quantitative und n= 191 qualitative Interviews
• Durchführung der Feldarbeit: Oktober bis November 2025
• Schutzgebühr für Berichtsband: EUR 499,- (Teilerlös für die Initiative für echtes Leben) 

Nominal fee for complete study (in German only): EUR 499 (partial proceeds go to IFEL).
If you are interested, please contact us here!