Gen Z are more anxious about Aging than ever before, experts Say

A growing number of Gen Z adults, those born between 1997 and 2012, are reporting heightened anxiety about getting older, a trend experts say is being driven by a unique combination of social, cultural, and economic pressures.

According to recent mental health surveys and market research, concerns about aging are becoming more common among individuals in their late teens and twenties.

Unlike previous generations, who typically began to confront age-related worries later in life, Gen Z is expressing fear over aging in their early 20s, often citing appearance, relevance, and financial instability as top concerns.

Social media is playing a key role. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram heavily promote youth-centric beauty standards, encouraging the use of anti-aging skincare products, cosmetic enhancements, and filters that create unrealistic portrayals of aging.

As a result, teens and young adults are now engaging in preventative anti-aging routines once targeted at older adults.

“We're seeing people as young as 18 using retinol and even considering Botox,” said Dr. Emily Navarro, a dermatologist in Westlands.

“There’s a deep-rooted fear of aging that's directly linked to how aging is portrayed online.”

The anxiety is also being fueled by broader societal issues.

Economic uncertainty, student debt, housing insecurity, and climate change have all contributed to a more pessimistic view of the future.

Many Gen Z individuals question whether they will ever achieve financial stability, let alone enjoy a secure retirement.

Mental health professionals warn that while self-care is important, the growing obsession with avoiding aging may point to deeper societal issues about self-worth, productivity, and identity.

“Aging is natural,” said Dr. Luis Mehta, a clinical psychologist. “We need to shift the narrative away from fear and toward acceptance and empowerment.”