The Deloitte Study 2026 has been dealing with the work, career, and life understanding of younger generations for 15 editions now. Gen Z and Millennials set very different priorities than their parents and grandparents.
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What does the Deloitte Study 2026 reveal? Gen Z and Millennials aim for high leadership positions in their careers. However, they do not want to achieve this goal as quickly as possible and at noticeable personal costs.
Almost half of the more than 22,500 respondents indicate a preference for slow but steady progress in their careers if it allows them to avoid or maintain certain factors. According to the study, this was different for the previous generations of Gen X and Boomers.
For Gen Z and Millennials, there are 3 reasons why they would consciously forego a leadership role:
- too high a stress factor / risk of burnout
- too much responsibility
- a negative shift in work-life balance
In contrast, there are 3 factors that would make a leadership role more attractive:
- a higher compensation through salary
- flexible work structure
- a clear path to a leadership role within their own company
The exact numbers for all points can be found in the survey results at deloitte.com.
The biggest concern: Everything is getting more expensive
What else does the study reveal? Here are some further insights from the Deloitte Study 2026:
- For the fifth consecutive time, the financial cost of living tops the concerns of both generations.
- About 55% of Gen Z report having postponed important life steps – such as starting a family, further education, or acquiring property – due to financial pressure.
- More than half of Gen Z indicate that they cannot afford their own home. A third struggle to manage monthly expenses.
- For 69% of Gen Z worldwide, affordability and availability of housing directly influence the job offers and locations they choose.
- Over 95% of Gen Z attach high to very high importance to meaningful work. Factors such as teamwork, empathy, and critical questioning are also important to many respondents.
- About half have already rejected job offers or excluded potential employers if their corporate values or business practices did not align with their personal ethical beliefs.
What do I need to know about the study? The Deloitte Global Gen Z and Millennial Survey 2026 sheds light on the work, career, and life understanding of younger generations within the context of ongoing economic uncertainties under the motto of sustainable career planning.
More than 22,500 people (including Generation Z, born 1995–2007, and Millennials, born 1983–1994) were surveyed worldwide in 44 countries. In Germany, the evaluation includes a sample of about 800 respondents. The survey period was from November 2025 to January 2026.
How do the results of the study reflect your life and work reality? Feel free to share it with us in the comments. We reported months ago that the currently very difficult financial phase is noticeably affecting Gen Z: Generation Z is raiding their savings, skipping meals, and selling their belongings just to get by
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