Why would young people rather have lower wages and live comfortably without being so exhausted?

Because so-called overtime pay is fake.

I didn't understand why Europeans refuse to work overtime no matter what, but later I saw through it: the money you're supposedly earning is all virtual.

You work overtime -> your coworkers lose jobs/get pay cuts -> market wages get depressed -> your overtime pay gets immediately offset, then the boss draws another pie in the sky and pressures you to compete harder.

In the end: you sacrifice your health by a few pounds, max out your screen time, while your actual purchasing power stays roughly the same.

Wages are dynamic numbers, but prices are real and concrete.

A salary going from 10 to 12, paired with prices at 15, equals working for free.

Rest, health, and sleep are real wealth.

Work exists to make life better, not to destroy your life.

You only have one life—if you "win" the rat race are you just sending money to hospitals?