NAIROBI, Kenya — A growing number of Gen Zs in Kenya are opting not to send money to parents and extended family, signalling a shift away from the long-standing “black tax” culture that has traditionally defined intergenerational support.
A new study indicates that Gen Z is prioritising personal financial stability, including savings, business ventures, and homeownership, rather than supporting dependants — a responsibility largely borne by millennials.
The findings suggest millennials could become the last generation to shoulder widespread family obligations, often described as the “sandwich generation”, supporting both parents and younger relatives while managing their own households.
Analysts attribute the shift to rising living costs, youth unemployment, and growing financial awareness among younger earners.
Many Gen Z professionals are choosing to build retirement savings early, invest in side businesses, and accumulate assets before taking on extended family responsibilities.
The trend marks a cultural break from earlier expectations where employed children routinely supported parents, siblings, and extended relatives.
Under the black tax model, income earners often finance school fees, rent, healthcare, and food for multiple dependents, limiting their ability to save.
Experts note that millennials, many of whom entered the workforce during periods of slower economic growth, remain heavily burdened by these obligations, resulting in constrained disposable income and delayed wealth accumulation.
The shift by Gen Z is also being driven by changing attitudes toward financial independence and planning.
Younger workers increasingly view early saving, investing, and home ownership as essential safeguards against future economic uncertainty.
However, the development raises questions about long-term social safety nets, particularly in Kenya, where family support structures often substitute for limited formal pension coverage and social protection.
If the trend persists, analysts warn that older generations may face greater financial vulnerability unless retirement planning, savings culture, and government social protection systems expand to fill the gap.
The emerging divide underscores a broader generational transformation in Kenya’s economic behaviour, where financial self-preservation is increasingly outweighing traditional expectations of extended family support.
