Gen Z Is the Most Jealous Generation

It was in his 1603 play Othello that William Shakespeare coined the term “green-eyed monster” to describe jealousy.

Over 400 years later, jealousy remains commonplace in everyday life, visible in everything from pets to Royals joking around.

An exclusive poll by Redfield & Wilton Strategies on behalf of Newsweek has revealed that Gen Z is the most jealous generation compared to its older counterparts.

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A survey conducted online between 27-28 June 2024 evaluated the answers of 2,500 eligible U.S. voters. Participants were asked to rate their jealousy levels in everyday life on a scale from 0 (not at all) to 5 (extremely).

Only 7 percent of all participants rated their jealousy level at 5 – or extremely jealous. More than one-third, 36 percent, rated their jealousy at 0 or not jealous at all.

Of all respondents, those in Gen Z, aged 18-26, were the least likely to rate their jealousy as 0, with just 21 percent. This compares to 32 percent of Millennials (ages 27-42), 40 percent of Gen X (ages 43-58), and 51 percent of Boomers and the Silent Generation (ages 59 and above).

While only 10 percent of Gen Z participants rated their jealousy at the extreme end of the scale (5 out of 5), the results were still enough to make them stand out as the most jealous generation, as it had the smallest percentage of individuals claiming to experience no jealousy at all.

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Jealousy can manifest itself in various aspects of life, from relationships to personal achievements and possessions. While jealousy is a perfectly natural emotion, excessive or pathological jealousy can be harmful to both the individual feeling it and those around them.

Kristie Tse, founder of Uncover Mental Health Counseling told Newsweek that Gen Z is often faced with pressure from external sources: “Social media creates constant exposure to curated, idealized lives, which can intensify feelings of jealousy and inadequacy,” she said.

But Tse added that Gen Z’s connection with their emotions isn’t a bad thing either: “On the flip side, increased awareness and openness about mental health among this generation allows for a broader emotional expression, leading to greater happiness and empathy,” she said. “As a psychotherapist, I observe that Gen Z’s unique challenges and strengths pave the way for a nuanced emotional landscape.”

Breaking down the data further, 17 percent of participants rated their jealousy at a low level 1, with a slightly higher percentage among males (17 percent) compared to females (16 percent). Among Gen Z, 12 percent rated their jealousy at level 1, compared to 15 percent of Millennials, 20 percent of Gen X, and 18 percent of Boomers and the Silent Generation.

While 17 percent of participants overall rated their jealousy level at 2, with a notable 24 percent of Gen Z rating their jealousy at this level, the highest among all age groups. Millennials followed at 18 percent, Gen X at 13 percent, and Boomers and the Silent Generation at 13 percent.

Next, 16 percent of respondents overall rated their jealousy at a mid-range level of 3, with 20 percent of Gen Z, 17 percent of Millennials, 16 percent of Gen X, and 10 percent of Boomers and the Silent Generation.

Only 8 percent of participants rated their jealousy at the higher level of 4, with Gen Z at 13 percent, Millennials at 10 percent, Gen X at 6 percent, and Boomers and the Silent Generation at 4 percent.

Regionally, jealousy levels varied. Participants from the South had the highest average jealousy levels, with 17 percent rating their jealousy at level 5 (extremely), compared to 8 percent in the West, 8 percent in the Midwest, and 8 percent in the Northeast.

Political affiliations also showed differences in jealousy levels. Among those who voted for Donald Trump in the 2020 Presidential Election, 8 percent rated their jealousy at level 5, compared to a lower 6 percent of those who voted for Joe Biden.