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Deloitte Survey: Gen Z and Millennials Seek Meaning, Balance, and Well-Being at Work

Gen Z

The 2025 Deloitte Global Gen Z and Millennial Survey, based on responses from over 23,000 participants worldwide, reveals how younger generations are reshaping expectations of work. Together, Gen Z and Millennials are projected to make up 74% of the global workforce by 2025.

The findings show that these generations no longer see work as only a paycheck. Instead, they emphasize purpose, balance, and mental well-being as essential components of career satisfaction.

Purpose Matters More Than Pay

A striking majority link job satisfaction to meaning:

  • 89% of Gen Z and 92% of Millennials said their well-being at work depends on having a sense of purpose.

  • More than half of Gen Z (54%) consider a job’s meaningfulness a “very important” factor when evaluating offers.

This shift highlights that high salaries alone are no longer enough to attract or retain talent. Instead, opportunities for learning, growth, and balance weigh heavily in career decisions.

Mental Health Concerns

The report also exposes deep concerns about stress and mental health:

  • 40% of Gen Z and 34% of Millennials report feeling stressed or anxious most of the time.

  • Roughly one-third of these participants cite their jobs as the primary source of stress.

Leadership aspirations have also changed. Only 6% of Gen Z view reaching executive positions as their primary career goal. Yet, this does not signal a lack of ambition. Instead, younger employees prioritize continuous skill-building, career progression opportunities, and healthier work-life balance.

More than 70% of Gen Z say they dedicate time at least once a week to developing new skills for their careers.

Financial Anxiety Dominates

For the fourth consecutive year, the cost of living ranked as the top concern for both generations.

  • Over half admit to living paycheck to paycheck.

  • Among those worried about living costs, only 36% reported feeling happy over the past year.

This link between financial insecurity and well-being demonstrates how economic pressures shape not only daily life but also career decisions.

Generative AI in the Workplace

The study also highlights growing interaction with generative AI (GenAI):

  • 57% of Gen Z and 56% of Millennials use generative AI in their daily work.

  • Most agree that GenAI improves the quality of work.

  • Yet, 63% of Gen Z and 65% of Millennials fear that AI could eventually eliminate their jobs.

This paradox illustrates both the opportunity and anxiety associated with emerging technologies in the workforce.

Redefining Career Success

Deloitte concludes that younger generations are reshaping the definition of career success. Financial rewards matter, but so do personal growth, mental health, fair workplaces, and social impact. Employers who fail to adapt risk losing the loyalty of their future workforce.

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