WITH greater life expectancy than their predecessors, Gen Z must learn to manage their resources better.
A whopping 83% of youths, however, think they will only live until their 60s, or 80s at most, and are unprepared for a longer career in the workforce, the “Navigating a 100-Year Life: Preparing for 50 Years of Career and Beyond” study by Monash University Malaysia’s Southeast Asian Centre for Workplace Well-being, found.
The study, which focuses on Gen Z values and their attitudes towards different aspects of life, including career, health and longevity, surveyed 159 youths aged between 19 and 28.
Those born between 1997 and 2010 are expected to have a career spanning 50 years or more, as today’s 20-year-olds will likely have a life expectancy of 95 years, said centre co-founder and co-director Prof Dr Jane L.Y. Terpstra Tong.
“They need to wake up and realise that they might live longer than they think and they need to plan for it.
“Statistically, Gen Z would be on earth for a lot longer and for that extra time that they have, they need to know how to really make good use of their time,” said Prof Tong, who is also Monash University professor of management.
To thrive in this “extended life”, Gen Z must focus on accumulating and managing four key resources – physical, psychological, relational and financial, she said.
The most critical, and the one that needs to be worked on the soonest, is physical health, she noted.
“If we all are living longer, we have to take better take care of ourselves,” she said.
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Foundational to addressing greater longevity and a longer career span is establishing good self-care habits or routines, which directly support both physical and psychological health and indirectly benefit relational and financial well-being.
These resources are not only critical individually, but they are also interdependent. Managing energy, not just time, is critical to avoiding burnout over a 50-year career.
Balancing work, leisure and self-care helps maintain physical stamina and supports overall health, the study read.
This is especially important as the nature of work continues to evolve, with some employers now offering fully or partially remote work options that demand higher self-discipline and structure.
Furthermore, with fewer in-person interactions, individuals must actively seek affinity and build connections, which can otherwise feel less organic in remote settings, the study found.
When it comes to finances, the study suggests that Gen Z start building their financial security from the beginning of their career. Understanding that financial, psychological, physical and relationship resources are interdependent highlights the importance of holistic financial strategies.
“For instance, psychological well-being supports clarity of mind and facilitates long-term planning.
“Financial stability reduces stress, contributing to psychological health, while also enabling access to better healthcare and wellness activities, supporting physical health,” the study read.
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Advancements in healthcare, technology, and well-being awareness are the reasons Gen Z is likely to live longer, said Prof Dr Roziah Mohd Rasdi from Universiti Putra Malaysia Faculty of Educational Studies.
Other factors include public health initiatives promoting balanced diets, exercise, and mental health awareness to reduce disease risks and improve overall well-being, increased access to medical resources and global efforts for universal health coverage, which ensure Gen Z benefits from advanced, equitable healthcare, she said.
Prof Roziah added that living longer means requiring more savings and financial planning for retirement.
“The traditional notion of relying solely on pensions or social security may no longer suffice, particularly as economic systems evolve and retirement benefits become less predictable.
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“Without early preparation, Gen Z may face financial insecurity in their later years, including the risk of outliving their savings or needing to rely on family or public systems for support,” she said.
She also said the longevity factor intersects with rising healthcare costs and inflation, both of which could erode savings and reduce purchasing power over time.
Financial preparedness, said Prof Roziah, is equally important in navigating the uncertainties of dynamic workplaces, such as shifting job markets or economic fluctuations.
“Early financial habits, such as budgeting, saving and investing, provide stability and peace of mind, allowing them to make career decisions based on growth and alignment with their values, rather than financial necessity,” she said.
Gen Z needs to start looking after their physical and mental health early. Adopting good financial habits is also essential, especially given the ever-demanding and challenging nature of modern workplaces, she added.
“Today’s fast-paced, high-pressure environment requires resilience, adaptability and sustained performance,” she said, adding that Gen Z may struggle with burnout, reduced productivity, or long-term health complications that could hinder career growth without it.
They need to proactively manage their well-being to enable them to maintain energy, focus, and the mental clarity needed to thrive in competitive industries, she concluded.
I’m not sure I want to be in the workforce for most of my life, especially since fewer companies in Malaysia are offering hybrid work arrangements. It would be too draining on my mental health. I want to make use of my retirement time to do things I enjoy and be with my loved ones. Maybe I will consider turning a hobby into a small business to sustain myself post-retirement.
– Angela Ng May Li, 24
Taking care of my health is extremely important to me. I’m not sure I would be able to do it very well if I stayed in the workforce until my 70s. My company gives us flexible working hours but even then, I spend a lot of extra time outside my working hours in the office trying to meet deadlines. This leads to unhealthy habits, like sitting down for most of the day.
– Murnianna Mohd Ibrahim, 24
