Depok-The number of gen z and millennials in Indonesia currently reaches 144.87 million people or 53.81% of the total population in Indonesia. Both generations have their own behaviors, challenges and opportunities. In that case, millennials become senior to gen z. This was stated by the Founder and CEO of IDN Media, Winston Utomo, in the IDN Media Goes to Campus seminar held by the Applied Humanities Social Department, Vocational Education Program, Universitas Indonesia (UI), at the UI Vocational Auditorium on Thursday, (16/02/2023).
Based on IDN 2019 research data, it is stated that as many as 67% of millennials and 66% of gen z care about the environment by choosing to pay more to save the planet. In addition, 54% of millennials and 52% of gen z said that gender equality in Indonesia is a good thing. These two things show that the behavior of gen z and millennials is not too different even though they are of different generations. Both are also open to current issues.
(Photo: Winston explains the challenges that gen z and millennials will face in the future)
Winston said, “The challenges that will be faced by these two generations will come from their own education. In Indonesia, only 39% have an education reaching high school and only 10% continue their education to lectures.”
The IDN Media Goes to Campus activity was attended by UI Vocational students who also belong to gen z. Thus, IDN Media raised the theme of millennials and gen z with the title “Understanding and uncovering the behavior, challenges, and opportunities of Millennials and Gen Z in Indonesia”.
“Indonesia is a population demographic, with an average age of 29.8 years. If we compare with Japan or Germany, their average age is around 40-50 years. This difference is a negative thing that has an impact on the aging population in Indonesia in 2045. It means that the non-productive population will be higher than the productive population. So, economic growth can be hampered,” said Winston.
(Photo: Giving souvenirs from IDN Media to UI Vocational)
Winston also said that there are still many millennials and gen z generations who are not aware of the challenges and potential they will face in the future. He said, “Gen z is the most important generation for the country’s current development. It is because gen z is a generation that is still developing in Indonesia with a young age range. So, they are the future of Indonesia.”
Dr. Budiman Mahmud Musthofa, S.Sos, M.Si., as Head of the Applied Humanities Social Department, appreciated the choice of theme for this public lecture. “Currently, as teaching staff, we are dealing with students from the gen z group. Through public lectures today, we can get to know them better and know how to communicate and discuss with them,” he concluded.
