Executive summary

Despite current global economic growth, expansion and opportunity, millennials and Generation Z are expressing uneasiness and pessimism about their careers, their lives and the world around them, according to Deloitte’s eighth annual Millennial Survey. In the past two years especially, we’ve seen steep declines in respondents’ views on the economy, their countries’ social/political situations, and institutions like government, the media and business. Organisations that can make the future brighter for millennials and Gen Zs stand to have the brightest futures themselves.

Research scope

The 2019 report is based on the views of 13,416 millennials questioned across 42 countries. Millennials included in the study were born between January 1983 and December 1994. This report also includes responses from 3,009 Gen Z respondents in 10 countries. Gen Z respondents were born between January 1995 and December 2002. The overall sample size of 16,425 represents the largest survey of millennials and Gen Z completed in the eight years Deloitte Global has published this report. The survey was conducted 4 December 2018 through 18 January 2019.

Key takeaways

• Economic and social/political optimism is at record lows. Respondents express a strong lack of faith in traditional societal institutions, including mass media, and are pessimistic about social progress.
• Millennials and Gen Zs are disillusioned. They’re not particularly satisfied with their lives, their financial situations, their jobs, government and business leaders, social media, or the way their data is used.
• Millennials value experiences. They aspire to travel and help their communities more than starting families or their own businesses.
• Millennials are skeptical of business’s motives. Respondents do not think highly of leaders’ impact on society, their commitment to improving the world, or their trustworthiness.
• They let their wallets do the talking (and walking). Millennials and Gen Zs, in general, will patronise and support companies that align with their values; many say they will not hesitate to lessen or end relationships when they disagree with companies’ business practices, values, or political leanings.

The Deloitte Millennial Survey 2018

According to Deloitte Global’s seventh annual Millennial Survey, Australian millennials remain uneasy about the future. They indicated concern about terrorism, robots taking their jobs, and unemployment generally. The research found this generation has little confidence in the ability of business or politicians to help them personally and professionally. Workplace flexibility and a positive work culture were the key motivators for millennials to remain loyal to their employer.

The Deloitte Millennial Survey 2017

According to Deloitte Global’s sixth annual Millennial Survey, young professionals now indicate they’re less likely to leave the security of their jobs, more concerned about uncertainty arising from conflict, and—especially in developed countries—not optimistic about their future prospects nor the directions their countries are going. The findings are based on the views of almost 8,000 millennials questioned across 30 countries in September 2016.