51% of Gen Z Reports Weekend Loneliness as High Costs Keep 68% From Going Out

1 articles · Updated · Fortune · Jul 28

51% of Gen Z adults report weekend loneliness in a new Harris Poll, the highest of any generation and 37 points above Boomers' 14%.
68% say going out is not worth the hit to their wallet, 62% avoid weekend plans to dodge financial regret, and 71% would save an unexpected $100 or use it for bills.
The squeeze extends beyond nightlife: half of Gen Z now feels financially insecure, roughly one in three still live at home, and renters and women report sharper limits on spending for fun.
Screens appear more fallback than preference—52% want more in-person social time, only 6% are satisfied with it, and majorities in the U.S., U.K. and Australia say digital connection cannot replace face-to-face time.
85% have already built cheaper ways to socialize, from hosting at home to wellness meetups; researchers say that 'high intent, low budget' behavior could reshape social venues as Gen Z's spending power grows toward a projected $9 trillion by 2034.