Gen Z Is Too Broke to Live—But Destined to Rule the Economy

They can’t afford rent, skip meals to pay off student loans, and juggle two jobs to make ends meet—yet headlines claim Gen Z will soon be the wealthiest generation in history. How can both be true? The answer lies somewhere between economic trends, social illusions, and the massive shift that’s quietly underway. At first glance, Gen Z looks like a financially cursed generation. But beneath the surface, a surprising future is forming—one filled with opportunity, power, and… contradiction.

It starts with an uncomfortable truth: Gen Z is drowning. Not metaphorically—financially. Born between the late 1990s and early 2010s, they entered adulthood in a storm of global crises: a pandemic, inflation spikes, housing shortages, and climate anxiety. Rent prices have soared beyond reason. Entry-level salaries barely cover necessities. Many still live with their parents, not out of choice, but necessity. Financial independence feels more like a distant dream than a standard milestone. And while hustle culture tells them to grind harder, reality bites harder.

But here’s where the plot thickens: despite their current struggles, Gen Z is expected to inherit $90 trillion in assets globally by 2045. It’s being called the greatest intergenerational wealth transfer in history. Baby Boomers—who’ve accumulated massive wealth through real estate, pensions, and investments—are beginning to pass it down. And with smaller families and longer lifespans, that money will concentrate among fewer heirs. That means, statistically, Gen Z will have access to more wealth than any generation before them.

The keyword here is access. Because access isn’t always equal.

Let’s talk about the reality beneath the numbers. Yes, the wealth transfer is real. But it won’t reach every member of Gen Z. Wealth, like poverty, is generational. The children of wealthy families will inherit homes, businesses, and stocks. Others—those from working-class or marginalized backgrounds—will inherit debt, trauma, and systemic barriers. While headlines talk in averages, real life plays out in extremes. And in that divide, Gen Z could become the most economically polarized generation we’ve ever seen.

That’s the paradox: the wealthiest poor generation. A generation of influencers and food bank users. Of crypto investors living with roommates. Of climate activists riding bikes while CEOs their age board private jets. Gen Z is brilliant, innovative, and digitally fluent—but they’re also exhausted, anxious, and often broke.

What’s more, the economy they’re stepping into isn’t built for stability. The job market is shifting under their feet. AI is automating entry-level roles. Freelance gigs offer freedom but no benefits. And the traditional promises—go to school, work hard, buy a house—feel more like a scam than a plan. That dream died sometime around 2008 and never came back.

Still, Gen Z adapts like no other. They’re creating side hustles, building online communities, pushing for fair wages, and rejecting toxic work culture. They’re not just trying to survive—they’re trying to redefine what success looks like. They value experience over status, sustainability over luxury, and authenticity over image. And that mindset might be their greatest asset.

But optimism shouldn’t blind us to the bigger picture.

As the narrative around Gen Z wealth spreads, it risks becoming a dangerous myth. One that dismisses real struggles. One that assumes everyone will “get theirs” eventually. But if we ignore economic inequality, underfunded education, unaffordable housing, and exploitative labor practices, then that wealth transfer becomes a fantasy for most. It’s not just about what’s being inherited—it’s about who is positioned to receive it.

And here’s the most grounded reality: inheriting wealth isn’t the same as building it. If Gen Z is to truly become the richest generation, it won’t be because of what they receive—it will be because of what they change. Because they challenge outdated systems. Because they demand economic justice. Because they’re not waiting for a check—they’re reshaping the game entirely.

So yes, Gen Z may one day sit on top of the global economy. But today, they’re still scraping by. And pretending otherwise only widens the gap between perception and truth.

What do you think—can a generation fighting to survive today really thrive tomorrow?