Higher pay, flexible work arrangements and a clearer path to the top would make Gen Z and millennial workers more likely to pursue leadership roles, according to Deloitte’s 2026 Gen Z and Millennial Survey.
The findings are based on responses from 14,384 Gen Zers and 8,211 millennials across 44 countries, plus qualitative interviews with survey respondents and business leaders. Online surveys were conducted between Nov. 24, 2025, and Jan. 15, 2026; qualitative interviews took place between Dec. 18, 2025, and March 13, 2026. Respondents ranged from students and unemployed individuals to executives at large organizations.
Here are six things to know from the global survey:
1. Just 6% of Gen Zers and millennials said achieving a leadership position is their top career goal, and among those not prioritizing one, the top barriers are stress and burnout (50% of Gen Z, 49% of millennials), excessive responsibility (50% and 48%) and work-life balance concerns (41% and 46%).
2. Interest in leadership roles has not disappeared, with 76% of Gen Zers and 67% of millennials saying they want to pursue senior or executive leadership at some point in their careers. What would move the needle sooner: higher compensation (53% of Gen Z, 57% of millennials), flexible work arrangements (42% and 44%) and clearer paths to leadership within their organization (36% and 35%).
3. Cost of living remains their top worry for the fifth consecutive year. Thirty-eight percent of Gen Zers and 42% of millennials rank cost of living as their most pressing concern. More than half of Gen Zers (55%) and millennials (52%) said they have delayed major life decisions because of their financial situation, and roughly half of both generations (47%) still report living paycheck to paycheck — though that is down from 52% in 2025.
4. Seventy-four percent of both Gen Zers and millennials now use AI in their day-to-day work, up from roughly 57% and 56% a year ago. But nearly a third believe their employer is not prepared for the changes AI will bring, and 62% of Gen Zers and 60% of millennials said their workplace AI tools could be improved.
5. Mental health is improving, but stress has not let up. Sixty-three percent of Gen Zers and 66% of millennials now rate their mental health as good or excellent, up from 52% and 58% in 2025. Still, nearly half report feeling burned out (48% of Gen Z, 45% of millennials). Employer support does appear to be improving: 69% said their employer takes mental health seriously, up 14 to 15 points since 2024.
6. Workplace friendships are tied to retention. Gen Zers with a work friend are 15 points more likely to plan to stay with their employer more than five years (48% vs. 33%); for millennials the gap widens to 18 points (61% vs. 43%). Almost all respondents (96% of Gen Z and 97% of millennials) said purpose is important to their job satisfaction.
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