Scientists have discovered why Gen Z stopped going out on weekends

Tengrinews.kz — Gen Z is increasingly spending weekends at home, but it's not due to a lack of desire for socializing. A new study reveals that while young people want to see their friends more often, they are being held back by high prices, exhaustion after the work week, and a lack of comfortable spaces to connect.
The study was conducted by Harris Poll, surveying 4,100 US adults, including 603 representatives of Generation Z (ages 18–29).
Why Gen Z feels lonely
Despite being considered the most "digital" generation, Gen Z has turned out to be the loneliest. The results show that the online world is no substitute for the warmth of face-to-face interaction.
According to the study:

51 percent of Gen Zers admitted to feeling lonely on an average weekend—the highest rate among all generations;49 percent believe they don't have enough friends to spend time with offline;65 percent say their social life takes place more through phones and messaging apps than in-person meetings.

At the same time, many admit they miss spontaneous socializing and making new acquaintances.

"I want more spontaneous moments in my life to meet new people or make more friends," one survey participant shared.

Where Gen Z prefers to spend their time
Staying home on a Saturday night has become a standard choice for most young people rather than a forced punishment:

74 percent spend at least half of their weekends at home;73 percent say staying home has become their "default plan";71 percent watch TV shows, movies, or play video games on weekends;69 percent admit to spending their time on social media.

However, Gen Zers emphasized that self-isolation is not about avoiding people, but about self-care. They cite the desire to save money (49 percent) and the need to reset mentally and physically (47 percent) as the primary reasons for their stay-at-home lifestyle.
Why Generation Z is increasingly staying home
Financial factors have become the main barrier between Gen Z and traditional nightlife. It appears that financial pragmatism has finally overcome the fear of missing out (FOMO):

68 percent of Gen Zers believe that going to bars, restaurants, and other entertainment venues is no longer worth the cost;62 percent try to avoid making weekend plans altogether to avoid feeling regret over money spent.

Financial constraints are particularly noticeable among renters: 42 percent of young tenants admitted they simply cannot afford entertainment. Additionally, 41 percent of Gen Z women cited financial reasons as the main factor for skipping parties.
Even if they received an unexpected $100, 71 percent of young people would put it toward bills or savings, while only a few would spend it on alcohol or a night out at a club.

"Going out to restaurants these days isn't worth the damage it does to my wallet," and "I avoid planning weekends because I don't want to regret the money I spent later," participants confessed.

How Gen Z is redefining leisure
The study showed that Generation Z is gradually changing the way they relax. Specifically:

88 percent consciously avoid at least one form of traditional nightlife;39 percent dislike large groups of strangers;38 percent avoid noisy establishments;35 percent try not to spend a lot of money in a single evening;73 percent would like to see more alcohol-free social spaces.

Furthermore, noisy bars are being replaced by a trend known as "Soft Socializing":

79 percent want more low-cost ways to spend time together;76 percent prefer a quiet atmosphere over loud clubs;54 percent choose daytime meetups over late-night parties.

Increasingly, Gen Z is opting for activities centered around health and relaxation.
According to the study:

65 percent feel more engaged during sports, fitness, and other wellness activities than in bars and clubs;among women, this figure reaches 70 percent.

Additionally, most participants expressed a desire for their weekends to be not only relaxing but also conducive to meeting new people.
At the same time, Gen Zers are not turning their backs on society; rather, they are looking for accessible entry points. 71 percent of young people admit to envying older generations (Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers), who, at their age, had the opportunity to socialize simply and naturally without the constant presence of social media.
Six out of ten respondents (60 percent) would prefer to spend time with friends in person rather than communicating solely online. Another 62 percent would like to see online connections transition into real-life meetings more frequently.
To avoid breaking the bank, 85 percent of Gen Zers have already found budget-friendly life hacks for meeting up with friends:

hosting home gatherings instead of going to restaurants (30 percent);looking for discounts, "happy hours," and free city events (up to 30 percent);using free gym trials as an excuse to meet up.

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