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Millennials and Gen Zs have long pushed for social change, but many survey respondents now feel the world is at a pivotal moment.

After a year of intense uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic, political instability, racial discord, and severe climate events, millennials and Gen Zs around the world are determined to hold themselves and others accountable on society’s most pressing issues.

The events of the past year have shifted their top personal concerns. Healthcare, disease prevention and unemployment climbed up the list. But climate change and protecting the environment remains a top issue, coming in at No. 1 for Gen Zs and third for millennials. The survey also reveals that millennials and Gen Zs have serious misgivings about discrimination and inequality.

Millennials and Gen Zs believe in their individual power to drive change.

Respondents are channeling their energies toward meaningful action—increasing political involvement, aligning spending and career choices with their values, and driving change on societal issues that matter most to them. In turn, they expect institutions like businesses and governments to do more to help bring about their vision of a better future.

% that have done the following over the past two years

Donated to charities
Made choices over the type of work they are prepared to do or organizations they'd work for based on personal ethics
Been a volunteer or member of a community organization, charity, or nonprofit
Created social media content relating to an environmental, human rights, political or social issue
Participated in a public demonstration/protest/march

The Deloitte Global Millennial Survey:

Decade in Review

Over the last decade, Deloitte Global has kept a pulse on the attitudes of millennials and the key events and trends affecting them. Through the years, we have consistently identified several key themes. Millennials are resilient and values-driven. They strongly believe business must have a purpose beyond profit. And they will not accept the status quo. As a result, they’ve redefined the future of work and continue to push for societal change in order to create a more equitable and sustainable world.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Millennial Survey, we interviewed and filmed six millennials from around the world to bring to life—through their own personal stories—the key themes that have emerged from our Millennial Survey since 2012. You can watch each film below and find more of their insights throughout the decade in review report.

Key Millennial Events
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