93% of APAC youth say pandemic changed their lifestyle forever

Young people in the millennial and Gen Z cohorts have a new view on what's important in life, and they plan to continue many lifestyle changes that they adopted during the pandemic, according to APAC-wide research from Vice Media Group, revealed exclusively here.

While not earthshaking by any means, the results underscore the depth of the change that has taken place. They also reveal some variations among markets in APAC and ways in which Asia compares to the rest of the world.

More than two-thirds (68%) of APAC respondents say the pandemic changed their perspective on what’s important in life, and this percentage rises to 81% in India and 78% in Southeast Asia. More than nine in ten (93%) say they have made lifestyle changes they plan on maintaining, with six in 10 (59%) saying the way they work will be the most lasting societal change.  

The research involved 1,740 Gen Z and millenial consumers in 11 markets: Australia, India, China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. It was conducted via Vice Media, Refinery29, i-D websites and social channels last year. The results appear in a just-released report entitled ‘The Next Chapter - Re-Emergence’.

Career, meaning and side hustles

Half of young people in the region say they lack purpose and want to seek more meaning in their careers. Almost three-quarters (74%) want to do something that really matters to them, although this is lower than the global average of 82%.

Nearly half (46%) are motivated to start their own business and have greater control over their working lives.

Of note to employers, 78% say the most important thing in choosing a job is work-life balance. Four in five value it the same or more than they did before the pandemic, and this rises to 87% in India and 86% among millennials.

Meanwhile, 73% value side hustles as much or more now than they did before the pandemic.

Time and money 

Asked whether they view money or time as more of a luxury in the future, respondents chose having more time to invest in the things they love over having more money, by a margin of 58% to 42%. This preference was less pronounced in Asia than it was globally, where the margin was 64% to 36% in favour of time. And in practical-minded Singapore, a majority (53%) would still prefer more money.

Most value mental health, fewer act on it 

Almost two-thirds (63%) of respondents said they valued their mental and emotional health more than before the pandemic, with India (84%) standing out.

Just under half regionally (43%) are making changes around mental health that they plan to continue post pandemic. However, this percentage is higher in Southeast Asia (55%) and India (50%).

Yet despite pandemic-induced stress and depression remaining high (chart above), reluctance to admit to mental-health challenges also seems to remain strong in Asia. Comparatively few respondents (25%) say they have taken steps to actively manage their mental health.

Among that 25%, use of mental-health apps has doubled since the pandemic’s start, meditation has increased by 50% and coaching and therapy increased fourfold.

“Brands need to make mental health a priority and help break long-lasting taboos via messaging and offering products and services that support today’s youth in their journey of self-discovery, acceptance and growth," said Huiwen Tow, APAC head of strategy for Vice Media's agency unit, Virtue.

Relationships

India, Singapore and Southeast Asia come in above the regional average when it comes to prioritising family time, post-pandemic.

Over half (57%) across the region say they value family more than before the pandemic, but this percentage reaches 65% in both India and Singapore. Four in 10 regionally report having made and planning to continue lifestyle changes around their family, and this number reaches 49% in India and 48% across Southeast Asia.

Meanwhile, 40% report making and planning to continue lifestyle changes around friendships.

Science, laughs and inspiration

In responses to questions about media consumption—of interest for those trying to devise effective brand messaging—around two-thirds of respondents chose each of the following:

• Content based on facts and science
• Entertainment to help them laugh and escape
• Media that inspires, gives them hope and helps contribute to the world.

“Both in their working lives and in their attitudes towards the media, young people are prioritising what they value the most based on their own beliefs and brands need to reimagine content that allows them to go beyond consumptions and contribute in a meaningful way to their lives,” Tow said.