Money

Gen Z are choosing mental health over work

Published

2 years ago

February 27, 2024

Young employees are increasingly opting to take “mental health days” off work, citing rising levels of common mental disorders such as anxiety and depression.

A report indicates that individuals in their early 20s are significantly more prone to calling out of work for mental health reasons compared to older generations, sparking worries among job experts.

The report, which sheds light on the surge of CMD cases among Gen Zers, attributes the rise to various everyday stressors including relationship issues, work pressure, and the omnipresent influence of social media.

Surprisingly, a notable number of young adults are even choosing to remain unemployed, prioritising mental well-being over workforce participation.

Escalating trend

Analysts from the Resolution Foundation, a UK-based economic and social policy think tank, expressed concern over the escalating trend of youth worklessness due to mental health issues.

They highlighted that individuals in their early 20s are now more likely to be out of work due to ill health compared to those in their early 40s, marking a worrying shift in employment patterns.

According to a three-year investigation cited in the report, over 34% of Gen Z individuals experience symptoms of CMD, a significant increase from 2000 when only 24% reported feeling burnt out by the strains of daily life.

Factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the pervasive influence of social media are believed to have exacerbated the mental health challenges faced by youngsters.

Mental health

The report notes a doubling in the number of young people aged 18 to 24 who are out of work due to ill health over the past decade, with mental health problems being cited as the primary health issue for two in five young adults between 2020 and 2023.

The data suggests a gender disparity, with young women being over 1.6 times more likely to experience CMD compared to young men.

This gap has widened since the early 2010s, indicating a growing burden of mental health challenges among young females.

Money

Australian Dollar surges: What $0.70 means for markets

Australian dollar surges 5% to $0.70, impacting importers, exporters, and big miners amid rising interest rates.

Published

21 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Australian dollar surges 5% to $0.70, impacting importers, exporters, and big miners amid rising interest rates.

The Australian dollar has jumped more than 5 percent against the U.S. dollar this year, now trading around $0.70. This rapid rise has sparked mixed reactions for importers and exporters as Australia’s materials sector shows signs of bouncing back, despite concerns over rising interest rates.

Dale Gilham from Wealth Within breaks down the factors behind the AUD surge, the implications for commodities, and what it means for big miners like BHP. From profits to strategy, we explore how the market is reacting to this currency shift.

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#AustralianDollar #AUD #Forex #Investing #Commodities #BHP #Mining #Markets

Money

S&P 500 rises as financial stocks lead and tech slips

S&P 500 rises 0.4% thanks to financial stocks; software struggles amidst AI concerns. Subscribe for updates!

Published

22 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Harvey Vargas

S&P 500 rises 0.4% thanks to financial stocks; software struggles amidst AI concerns. Subscribe for updates!

The S&P 500 climbed 0.4% on Tuesday, boosted by strong gains in financial stocks. Citigroup and JPMorgan led the rally, showing investors are rotating money into the sector as tech stocks faltered.

Meanwhile, software shares struggled, with ServiceNow, Autodesk, and Palo Alto Networks all seeing notable declines. Concerns around AI disruption continue to affect the software and financial sectors alike.

Market watchers are now turning their attention to upcoming inflation reports later this week, looking for signals that could shape the next moves in the market.

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Money

Australia’s GST debate heats up amid tax reform push

Australia debates GST expansion amid aging population pressures and personal income tax concerns; expert insights from Dr. Steven Enticott.

Published

2 days ago

February 17, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Australia debates GST expansion amid aging population pressures and personal income tax concerns; expert insights from Dr. Steven Enticott.

Australia is facing a fierce debate over tax reform, with fresh calls to broaden the Goods and Services Tax as the government searches for more stable revenue streams. With an ageing population putting pressure on health, pensions and long-term spending, economists argue the current reliance on personal income tax may not be sustainable.

Dr Steven Enticott from CIA Tax joins Ticker to break down the real impact of expanding the GST, including how it could affect lower-income households, whether taxing unrealised gains would change investor behaviour, and what compensation mechanisms could soften the blow on essential goods. The political risks are high, but so are the fiscal stakes.

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