The Deloitte Global Millennial Survey 2019

Societal discord and technological transformation

create a “generation disrupted”
Table of contents
Executive summary 1
A generation disrupted

Survey methodology 3

Altered aspirations 4
View of the world
Bleak expectations for the economy
Social/political downturn; doubt in traditional pillars of trust
Lack of social progress

The unfulfilled promise of government 9

Millennials on business: The good, the bad, the ugly 10
The impact of Industry 4.0

Disrupted, but also disrupting 13

In the workplace
The gig alternative
Consumerism—walking the talk

Social media: Friend or foe 19

The MillZ Mood Monitor 21

Conclusion: The roadmap for business 25

References 27

The Deloitte Global Millennial Survey 2019 2

Executive summary
In business, disruption can promote innovation, Among this year’s key findings:
growth, and agility. That, in turn, creates powerful
• Economic and social/political optimism is
and progressive business models, economic
at record lows. Respondents express a strong
systems, and social structures. But unbridled
lack of faith in traditional societal institutions,
disruption also has a downside, one that’s apparent
“We have less trust in employers including mass media, and are pessimistic about
in the 2019 Millennial Survey results.
because so many of our parents did social progress.

lose their jobs, and they had been Notwithstanding current global economic • Millennials and Gen Zs are disillusioned.
loyal to companies. We have less expansion and opportunity, millennials and They’re not particularly satisfied with their lives,
trust in the stock market because it Generation Z are expressing uneasiness and their financial situations, their jobs, government
pessimism—about their careers, their lives in and business leaders, social media, or the way
crashed. And I think that a lot of us
general, and the world around them. They appear their data is used.
are worried that it is going to happen to be struggling to find their safe havens, their
again. We are either putting off big life • Millennials value experiences. They aspire
beacons of trust. As a result, these younger,
to travel and help their communities more than
moments and keeping money in our especially unsettled generations are instigating
starting families or their own businesses.
savings [accounts], or we’re saying, ‘You their own brand of disruption, both inadvertently
know what? It could fall apart again and intentionally. • Millennials are skeptical of business’s
motives. Respondents do not think highly of
tomorrow. Let’s travel the world.’“
leaders’ impact on society, their commitment to
Laura Banks, improving the world, or their trustworthiness.
American millennial1 • They let their wallets do the talking (and
walking). Millennials and Gen Zs, in general, will
patronize 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 Global Millennial Survey 2019 1

A generation disrupted
Why are these young generations filled with distrust The complete impact goes deeper than economics.
instead of optimism? Perhaps it’s because they’re Unlike the postwar 1950s—which were characterized
perpetually caught in the crossfire of social, political, and by international cooperation, a baby boom, and
economic commotion. economic expansion that benefited most—the past
decade has been marked by a steep rise in economic
Chief among the influencing factors is likely the inequality, a reduction in societal safety nets, insular and
economic recession of the late 2000s. At one end of dysfunctional governments, increased tribalism fueled
the spectrum are older millennials who were entering by social media, radical changes in the contract between
the job market as the crisis unfolded. At the other end employers and employees, Industry 4.0 technologies
are Gen Zs, many of whom have spent half their lives in that are redefining the workplace, and personal
a post-crash world. Studies suggest that entering the technologies that make people both more connected
labor market during a recession has long-term negative and more isolated.
effects on subsequent wages and career paths.2
The impact of myriad, radical changes to our daily
In the United States, millennials who entered the labor lives has hit younger generations hard—economically,
market around the recession, or during the years of slow socially, and perhaps psychologically. Through this
growth that followed, experienced less economic growth survey, this “generation disrupted” is telling us that
in their first decade of work than any other generation. continuous change and upheaval have created a
They have lower real incomes and fewer assets than population that is different at its core. But, they’re also
previous generations at comparable ages, as well as providing valuable clues about how society’s institutions
higher levels of debt.3 The cumulative effect has altered can respond to those differences in mutually beneficial
a wide variety of financial decisions. ways that could increase trust, generate positive societal
impact, and meet their high expectations.

The Deloitte Global Millennial Survey 2019 2

Survey methodology
The 2019 report is based on the views of 13,416 millennials
questioned across 42 countries and 3,009 Gen Zs from
10 countries.

Millennials included in the study were born between January 1983 and
December 1994. In a departure from previous surveys—which focused on
millennials with college or university degrees who were employed full time
and worked predominantly in large, private-sector organizations—this year’s
survey embraced a more diverse group of respondents to generate a more
comprehensive perspective of the generation as a whole. For example, 31
percent of respondents did not have full-time employment status, and 34
percent did not have a college or university degree. Whenever this year’s survey
results are compared to those from previous years, readers should consider the
broader respondent base. The report will note instances in which 2019 results
include only respondents whose profiles are similar to millennials surveyed in
previous years.

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. In addition to surveying students who have completed or are pursuing
degrees, as well as those with full- and part-time employment, this year’s
survey includes input from Gen Z respondents who are participating in the gig
economy, are unemployed or doing unpaid work, have completed or plan to
complete vocational studies, and are in secondary school and may or may not
pursue higher education.

The answers provided by millennials and Gen Z respondents often were

remarkably similar. For that reason, this report focuses on the millennial
response and notes Gen Z responses only when they’re distinctly different. The
overall sample size of 16,425 represents the largest survey of millennials and
Gen Zs completed in the eight years Deloitte Global has published this report.

The Deloitte Global Millennial Survey 2019 3

Altered aspirations
Every generation is shaped by its circumstances, and Instead, travel and seeing the world was at the top of the Earning a high salary and being wealthy ranked second
millennials are no exception. They’re no less ambitious than list (57 percent) of aspirations, while slightly fewer than half (52 percent) among ambitions, but came in last when
previous generations: More than half want to earn high said they wanted to own a home (49 percent). They also respondents were asked whether their ambitions were
salaries and be wealthy. But their priorities have evolved, were more attracted to making a positive impact in their achievable; 60 percent saw it as a possibility. Generally,
or at least been delayed by financial or other constraints. communities or society at large (46 percent) than having though, millennials believe their ambitions are within
Having children, buying homes, and other traditional children and starting families (39 percent).4 Interestingly, reach. Two-thirds who want to reach senior levels in their
signals of adulthood “success markers” do not top women (62 percent) are more interested in seeing the world careers believe it’s attainable. Seven in 10 who want to see
their list of ambitions. than are men (51 percent). the world think it’s possible. Three-quarters who want to buy
homes are confident they’ll be able to. And 83 percent of
those desiring families don’t believe barriers will prevent it.

Figure 1

Priorities and aspirations of millennials and Gen Zs have evolved

Millennials
Gen Zs

Percent indicating they have the following ambitions:

57% 52% 49% 46% 39%

57% 56% 52% 47% 45%
Earn high Make positive
See/travel Buy homes Have children/
salaries/ impacts on
the world of their own start families
be wealthy community/society

Q22a. Please indicate if you have any of the following ambitions. Base: All millennials 13,416, all Gen Zs 3,009. Millennials in junior roles 2,706, senior
roles 4,101, parents 6,036, not parents 7,380. Gen Zs in junior roles 773, mid-level roles 444, parents 268, not parents 2,741
The Deloitte Global Millennial Survey 2019 4
View of the world
Each year, we ask millennials about global societal challenges and their personal Among 20 challenges facing society that most concern respondents on a personal
concerns to see how they’re trending. This year, we’re seeing a palpable level, climate change/protecting the environment/natural disasters topped the list.
deterioration of optimism and a wide variety of both macroeconomic and day-to- And it wasn’t close. Twenty-nine percent cited it as a worry, seven points more than
day anxieties weighing on their minds. the next-highest concern, income inequality/distribution of wealth.

Figure 2

Climate/environment
is both generations’ top concern
Millennials
Gen Zs

Percent personally concerned about:

29% 29%
22%
21%
20% 20% 19%
19% 19%
18% 17% 17%
16% 16%

Climate Income Un- Crime/ Corruption Terrorism Political Climate Terrorism Un- Income Diversity/ Crime/ Education,
change/ inequality/ employment personal within instability/ change/ employment inequality/ equality of personal skills,
protecting distribution safety business or wars/ protecting the distribution opportunity/ safety and
the of wealth politics conflicts environment/ of wealth discrimination training
environment/ between natural based on
natural countries disasters personal
disasters characteristics

Q1. Thinking about the challenges facing societies around the world (including your own), which three of the following issues are you
personally most concerned about? Please select up to three issues. Base: All millennials 13,416, all Gen Zs 3,009 The Deloitte Global Millennial Survey 2019 5
It’s worth noting that terrorism, crime, and war all
placed in the top seven, suggesting that personal
safety is a top-of-mind concern. It’s also interesting
that there’s a correlation between education and
whether millennials’ concerns are more personal or
societal. High school graduates were more likely to
select unemployment, personal safety, and health
care than university graduates, and less likely to
choose political instability, climate change, and
cybersecurity.

When interpreting the data, it’s useful to understand

that when respondents are asked to choose three
topics from 20, legitimate concerns may look
understated. A good example is protection of
personal data: It landed in the bottom quartile of
the list with 9 percent, but more-targeted questions
revealed it to be quite worrisome. Nearly four in
five (79 percent) millennials fear being the victims
of online fraud, and almost as many are concerned
about identity theft. They’re also apprehensive about
the security of personal data held by businesses (73
percent) and public bodies (70 percent).

The Deloitte Global Millennial Survey 2019 6

Bleak expectations for the economy Social/political downturn; doubt in traditional pillars
Positive economic sentiment among millennials is at its lowest in the six years of trust
we have been recording it. Only 26 percent of respondents said they expect the Positivity regarding the social/political climate is also tracking downward. This year,
economic situations in their countries to improve in the coming year.5 That figure fewer than a quarter (24 percent) of millennials said they expect improvement in
has never been lower than 40 percent and stood at 45 percent the past two years. their countries in the next year—a drop from 33 percent last year. The trend is
consistent in emerging markets (30 percent, down nine points) and mature markets
As it has been annually, sentiment in emerging countries is higher than in mature (19 percent, down eight points).
markets—but even the most hopeful group has seen a dramatic decrease. In
developing areas, 37 percent of millennials expect improvement in the next 12 Consistent with past surveys, millennials expressed low opinions of political and
months, a drop of 20 points in just two years. In developed markets, the figure religious leaders. Nearly three-quarters (73 percent) said that political leaders are
stands at only 20 percent, down from 37 percent last year. failing to have a positive impact on the world, while two-thirds said the same of
faith leaders. And about 45 percent of millennials said they have absolutely no trust
From a personal perspective, slightly more than half of millennials think their in either set of leaders as sources of reliable and accurate information.
personal financial situations will worsen or stay the same, while 43 percent Perhaps even more concerning are respondents’ thoughts regarding traditional
anticipate an improvement in the next year. The expectation that financial burdens media. More than four in 10 (43 percent) said the mass media is having a negative
will exceed any raises or moves to better-paying jobs is yet another indication of impact on the world, and 27 percent have zero trust in the media as sources
millennials’ post-recession struggles. of reliable and accurate information (53 percent expressed some trust).

They see traditional media as a slightly more dependable news source than social
media platforms. But it begs the question: If millennials don’t trust institutions
created to disseminate facts, who will they trust? Leaders of nongovernmental
organizations and not-for-profits ranked highest in terms of societal impact and
sources of reliable information—but it’s not their jobs to report the news. The lack
of faith in news organizations can only add to millennials’ feelings of disruption and
uncertainty.

The Deloitte Global Millennial Survey 2019 7

Lack of social progress
In terms of social progress, two-thirds of millennials believe that, because of their Of the five groups measured, government was clearly considered by millennials
backgrounds, some people never get a fair chance to achieve success no matter as having most responsibility for improving social mobility. They don’t believe,
how hard they study and work. But an equal number of respondents feel that however, that social mobility is one of government’s highest priorities (see
anyone can achieve success if they apply themselves. They believe social mobility is “The unfulfilled promise of government” on page 9).
possible for most, but that there are certain groups that face higher barriers.

Figure 3

Millennials say government has the most

responsibility for improving social mobility...
but doesn’t prioritize it
Percent of millennials who say each group is responsible for, or felt to be
giving priority to, the improvement of social mobility in their countries:

74%
66% 68% 69%
62%

36%

20% 18%
10% 9%

Government Business Individuals Educational NGOs: interest

institutions groups, charities,
nonprofit
organizations,
Most responsible and other
nongovernmental
High-to-moderate priority organizations

Q31. Who has the most responsibility for improving social mobility in your country over the next five years—that is, ensuring that anyone can
achieve their full potential and move into higher income or social status groups? Q32. How high a priority do you think these groups are giving to The Deloitte Global Millennial Survey 2019 8
improving social mobility in your country? All millennials 13,416
The unfulfilled promise
of government
In March, nearly a million secondary students in However, the other reviews of governments’ The survey did not delve deeply into millennials’
125 countries skipped a day of school to participate actions were a far cry from thier potential: thoughts regarding specific government actions, but
in more than 2,000 protests aimed at motivating we were curious about their opinions on the rise of
•• Only about half of respondents believe leaders of
politicians to act on climate change.6 The strike was nationalism in parts of the world.
their current governments are committed to helping
one of the more global expressions by young people
improve society or behave in an ethical manner.
that government is not adequately dealing with social By roughly a two-to-one margin, respondents overall
issues it can and should address. •• Political leaders were cited as the group least said they favor free-trade policies, allowing for the free
likely—by far—to have had a positive impact and flow of goods globally, over nationalistic policies that
Millennials and Gen Zs may appreciate government as most likely to have had a negative impact on their restrict the flow of goods into the country. Despite
an institution, embrace its promise, and look to it for lives; only 19 percent of millennials see political this penchant for globalism, overall anxiety regarding
leadership. But they’re frustrated with inaction and, as leaders as having a positive impact; 57 percent see increased nationalism was muted; of 20 personal
a result, have pretty low opinions of the people who them as having a negative impact. concerns offered as choices, the rise of nationalism
comprise government. ranked last with only 7 percent. However, it clearly has
•• Forty-five percent of millennials said they have
many worried in Western Europe, including countries
absolutely no trust in political leaders as sources of
Millennials believe government (29 percent) is best where right-wing parties have made gains, such as
reliable and accurate information, with 42 percent
able to solve the world’s most pressing challenges— in Austria.
indicating they have some trust.
ahead of universities/academia (27 percent), business
(20 percent), and nongovernmental organizations (13 •• Seven in 10 millennials believe their government
percent). Twenty-eight percent of Gen Z respondents leaders focus on their own agendas rather than
also chose government, trailing only universities/ their constituents’ interests, and 63 percent said
academia (33 percent). Both generations, by wide leaders have no ambition beyond retaining or
margins, also said governments have the most increasing their power.
responsibility for improving social mobility.
•• Only one in four say improving social mobility is
a high priority for government, with another 37
percent calling it a moderate priority, ranking lowest
compared with educational institutions, NGOs,
individuals, and business.

The Deloitte Global Millennial Survey 2019 9

Millennials on business:
The good, the bad, the ugly
Millennials’ opinions about business continue to These results speak to an image problem for accurate information. Leaders’ commitments to helping
diminish, proving last year’s dramatic drop was not an business leaders. Only 37 percent of millennials improve society (45 percent said they generally are)
aberration. After four straight years in the 70s and a believe business leaders make a positive impact on the and behaving ethically (49 percent said they generally
drop to 61 percent in 2018, the number of respondents world,8 and more than a quarter (26 percent) said they do) also divide opinion.
who said business has a positive impact on wider don’t trust business leaders as sources of reliable and
society fell to just 55 percent. The decrease was driven
by opinions in emerging countries, which have sunk
from 85 percent two years ago to 61 percent today.
Figure 4
Mature markets, at 50 percent, have dipped 16 points
during that same period.7
Profit over planet Business is still out of step with millennials’ priorities
This showing is driven, in part, by growing views that
businesses focus on their own agendas rather than Percent of millennials who believe that business should try to achieve,
and actually does achieve, the following:
considering wider society—77 percent agree with that
sentiment—and that they have no ambition beyond What they think businesses should try to achieve
55%
wanting to make money (64 percent agree). It also is What they think businesses actually achieve
likely influenced by a continuing misalignment between
33% 35% 36%
millennials’ priorities and what they perceived to be 31% 30% 33% 32%
28% 30% 27% 27%
business’s purpose. 27%
21%
Millennials most commonly believe business should 18% 16% 16%
12%
prioritize the production of high-quality goods and
services (36 percent) and generate jobs (35 percent).
But the majority (55 percent) see generating profit Generate Innovate: Drive Generate Produce Improve Enhance Improve Improve/
as business’s main achievement. They also believe profit develop new efficiency, jobs/ high-quality skills of its livelihoods society protect the
business is underdelivering on enhancing employees’ products find quicker provide goods and employees (of its (e.g., environment
and services, and better employment services employees) education,
livelihoods (33 percent said this is a priority; generate ways of reducing
16 percent said business achieves this), improving new ideas, doing inequality,
society (32 percent versus 16 percent), and improving etc. things diversity
initiatives)
and protecting the environment (27 percent versus
12 percent).
Q13a. Which of the following words and phrases match your own beliefs as to what business should try to achieve? Select up to three.
Q13b. And from what you have experienced, seen, or read, what would you say business actually does achieve? Select up to three.
Base: All millennials 13,416

The Deloitte Global Millennial Survey 2019 10

The impact of Industry 4.0
The effects of the changing forces of Industry 4.0 cannot be underestimated. Millennials also told us the changing nature of work may make it tougher to find
During the past decade, many jobs for which people were educated and trained or change jobs. Nearly half (46 percent) agreed overall, while 45 percent of those
have changed significantly because of digital technologies. Millennials are using currently unemployed or doing unpaid work said they foresee greater challenges.
technology that didn’t even exist when they began their careers. And in some Half of respondents who are optimistic about economic improvement also think
sectors, artificial intelligence is now performing tasks that defined certain jobs, it may be more difficult, perhaps believing that a strong economy will spur greater
forcing the people in those jobs to exercise different, uniquely human skills. As the investment in even more-advanced technologies.
marriage of physical and digital assets proliferates, the impact on workers
will multiply. Only about one in five respondents believe they have all the skills and knowledge
they’ll need for a world being shaped by Industry 4.0, and 70 percent said they
Forty-nine percent of millennials believe new technologies will augment their jobs,9 may only have some or few of the skills required and will need to evolve their own
22 percent expect Industry 4.0 to have no impact, and only 16 percent fear it will capabilities to increase their value.
replace all or part of their job responsibilities.

The Deloitte Global Millennial Survey 2019 11

How they’ll acquire the skills is a source of some These results conflict with opinions shared by global There’s a clear disconnect among employers and young
debate. Millennials say business (30 percent) has the CXOs in a 2019 Deloitte Global survey, “Success employees regarding business’s role in developing
greatest responsibility for preparing workers, followed personified in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.” talent for Industry 4.0, a difference of opinion that
by educational institutions (24 percent). Gen Zs put Surveyed leaders were more likely to say responsibility needs to be resolved for the good of employers and
the onus on colleges, universities, and secondary and to prepare for Industry 4.0 falls on individuals, employees alike.
vocational schools (36 percent), and then employers government and schools rather than business.10
(25 percent), perhaps because many of those
respondents are still in school or recently graduated.
The two generations did agree that individuals—
through self-education and ongoing professional
development—came next, and that government bore
the least responsibility for developing workers.

Figure 5

Who has the most responsibility for preparing workers for Industry 4.0?
21%
17%
30% 24% Individuals
25% 36% (via self-education/
continuing education/
ongoing professional
Businesses/ Educational development)

employers Gen Zs put institutions

Millennials the onus on 17%
14%
say business educators Government

Millennials Gen Zs

Q36. Who has the most responsibility for preparing workers for the changes that will result from Industry 4.0? All millennials 13,416, all
The Deloitte Global Millennial Survey 2019 12
Gen Zs 3,009
Disrupted, but also disrupting
As much as millennials may be a “generation In the workplace
disrupted,” their behaviors and choices are also
More millennials than we have ever surveyed—49
profoundly disrupting business and society alike.
percent—would, if they had a choice, quit their current
Some of it is passive—the result of, for instance,
jobs in the next two years. In our 2017 report, that
delaying large purchases or having fewer children. In
number was 38 percent. These are not idle threats:
other, more proactive ways, these generations are
About a quarter of those saying they would leave
shaking up established norms.
within two years reported leaving an employer in the
past 24 months. This is a challenge for companies
seeking a stable workforce.

Figure 6

Dissatisfaction with pay, lack of advancement,

and few development opportunities are the
top reasons for near-term exits
Millennials
Percent of millennials and Gen Zs who plan to leave their current organizations
NT
Gen Zs
A
VAC
in the next two years for the following reasons:

43%

34% 35% 33%

28% 27%
23% 22% 21% 21%
19%
15% 15% 16%

Dissatisfied Not enough Lack of I don’t feel Poor work/life Boredom/ I don’t like
with pay/ opportunities learning and appreciated balance not the workplace
financial to advance development (lack of challenged culture
rewards opportunities flexibility)

Q8. You mentioned earlier that you might leave your current employer within the next two years. What are the main reasons for this?
The Deloitte Global Millennial Survey 2019 13
All millennials/Gen Zs who would leave current organization within two years 5,262/856
The reasons for wanting to leave (or having actually left) a company so soon are The gig alternative
unsurprising. Dissatisfaction with pay and lack of advancement and professional
Millennials indicated they would not hesitate to do freelance or contract work.
development opportunities top the list. It may be surprising that a lack of diversity
Overall, the gig economy appeals to four in five millennials and Gen Zs. Only 6
and inclusion finished at the bottom of a list of reasons people would leave—after
percent of millennials said they’ve chosen to be part of the gig economy instead of
all, last year’s survey showed that diversity was a key to maintaining loyalty. It helps
working full time, but 50 percent said they would consider it, and 61 percent would
to understand that certain characteristics can appeal to millennials and make them
take gig assignments to supplement existing employment.
want to join or stay with employers, but the lack of those characteristics may not
necessarily drive someone to leave. Case in point: When considering whether to
Those who would consider joining the gig economy most typically cite the chance to
work for an organization, a majority of millennials told us they give a “great deal”
earn more money (58 percent), work the hours they want (41 percent), or achieve a
or “fair amount” of importance to the gender, ethnicity, age, and general range of
better work/life balance (37 percent). On the other hand, the perceived uncertainty
backgrounds of employers’ workforces.
around these same three areas are the main reasons some will not consider the
gig economy. Unpredictable income and hours are the biggest turnoffs (39 percent
There is encouraging news: Millennials who expect to stay with their employers
and 30 percent, respectively), followed by the inherent difficulty in making plans
five years or more remained level with last year at 28 percent. There were strong
and planning for the future (27 percent).
correlations between those who plan to stay in their current jobs and those
who said their companies deliver best on financial performance, community
impact, talent development, and diversity and inclusion. That could be why many
companies that traditionally focused primarily on profitability are working hard to
adopt new mindsets that coincide with what younger generations seek. In Deloitte’s
2019 Global Human Capital Trends report, 44 percent of business and HR leaders
surveyed said social enterprise issues are more important to their organizations
than they were three years ago, and 56 percent expect them to be even more
important three years from now.11

The Deloitte Global Millennial Survey 2019 14

Overall, almost half of millennials believe gig workers can earn as much as those
in full-time jobs, and the same number think gig workers have a better work/life
balance. But 51 percent said the unpredictability would be stressful. (They were not
asked about the stress inherent in full-time jobs.)

Figure 7

The gig economy appeals to most millennials and Gen Zs

Attractions
Top 3 Negatives

To earn more 58% 39% Unreliable/

money/increase unpredictable
my income 53% 36% income

To work the 41% 30% Irregular/

hours I want unpredictable

84% 81% to work 45% 29% hours

would consider
To achieve 37% 27% Hard to make
Millennials joining the gig better work/life plans/plan
Gen Zs economy balance 32% 28% for future

Q42. Would you consider joining the gig economy? Base: All millennials 13,416, all Gen Zs 3,009. Q43. Which of the following best
explain why you have joined or would consider being part of the gig economy? Base: All millennials/Gen Zs who have joined or would
consider 11,266/2,433. Q44. Which of the following best explain why you would not consider being part of the gig economy? Base: All The Deloitte Global Millennial Survey 2019 15
millennials/Gen Zs who have not joined or would not consider 1,172/276
The disruption caused by millennials here is evident in the growing number of
companies offering flexible working arrangements and other features designed to
mimic what appeals to those considering a gig existence.12

Figure 8

Mixed views on benefits of the gig economy

Percent who agree with these statements about the gig economy/gig working:

Millennials Gen Zs

59% 60%
54%
51% 50%
48% 48% 48% 49%
44% 44%
41%

The gig economy Gig workers Gig workers can Employers use Irregular and The employment
is helping to have a better earn as much gig workers unpredictable rights of gig
support innovative work/life as those in only to hours make gig workers are not
ways of meeting balance than full-time jobs reduce costs work a stressful respected or
consumer needs those in way of working protected
full-time jobs

Q45. On balance, do you agree or disagree with these statements about the gig economy/gig working? Base: All millennials 13,416, all
The Deloitte Global Millennial Survey 2019 16
Gen Zs 3,009
Consumerism—walking the talk
The younger generations speak with their wallets in ways that seem different
than previous generations. All consumers are susceptible to advertising and get
frustrated with poor service and underperforming products. However, millennials
and Gen Zs start and stop relationships with companies for very personal reasons,
often related to a company’s positive or negative impact on society.

For example, 42 percent of millennials said they have begun or deepened a

business relationship because they perceive a company’s products or services to
have a positive impact on society and/or the environment. Further, 37 percent said
they have stopped or lessened a business relationship because of the company’s
ethical behavior; conversely, 36 percent started/deepened a relationship because
they believed a company was ethical.

Companies seem to be taking notice: In a 2019 Deloitte Global survey of CXOs, 73

percent said their organizations had changed or developed products or services in
the past year to generate positive societal impact.13

The Deloitte Global Millennial Survey 2019 17

Among other consumer-related observations: Figure 9

•• They notice political leanings. More than a quarter

of millennials said they’ve backed away from an
organization because of its position on political
Societal impact and ethics
matters, and 29 percent did the same due to the
behavior or comments of a single company leader.
are the most common reasons why millennials
Conversely, few people said they’ve been attracted
to a company because of its politics (17 percent) or
change their relationships with businesses
something a single leader said or did (21 percent),
Percent who would start/deepen or stop/lessen a relationship with a business:
suggesting there’s less to gain and more to lose when
companies and leaders lean into political issues.

•• They are fed up with personal intrusion. About a third 42% 38%
of respondents said they’ve stopped or lessened
a business relationship because of the amount of Has products/ Has products/
services that services that
personal data the company requests. A quarter
positively negatively
have done the same either because of a company’s
impact the impact the
inability to protect their private data, or because of environment/ environment/
the way a company tracks or customizes the user’s society society
shopping and online behaviors. In these ways,
millennials are taking back control of their data.
36% 37% Start/deepen Stop/lessen
31%
28% 28% 29% 28%
25% 26%
24% 23%
20% 21% 19%
17% 17%

Its ethical Its ability An The way it The diversity The The amount Its position
behavior to protect advertising tracks their among its behavior or of data it on political
Q20. The actions of an organization and its people can change their data campaign buying/ leadership comments requests matters
the way consumers feel or behave toward a company. As a it has run shopping/ team/its of a single from them
consumer, have you ever started or deepened a relationship online diversity company
with a business because of the following? Q21. As a consumer, behavior policies or leader
have you ever stopped or lessened a relationship with a behaviors
business because of the following? Base: All millennials 13,416

The Deloitte Global Millennial Survey 2019 18

Social media: Friend or foe?
Online sites and social apps can be wonderful things, allowing people to stay in touch, Figure 10
connect with old friends, and access information. They also can be used with malice—to
bully others, spread propaganda, and even livestream heinous crimes. So it stands to
reason that millennials and Gen Zs have a love/hate relationship with their digital devices Millennials and Gen Zs acknowledge the
and social media.
negative impacts of social media
When asked about their personal use of digital devices and social media, 71 percent of
Percent who agree with the following statements about the use of
millennials said they feel fairly positive or very positive. But a deeper dive into the data social media:
reveals a more complex picture:

•• Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of millennials said they would be physically healthier if
they reduced the time spent on social media, and six in 10 said it would make them
happier people. 64% 60% 55% 41%
•• Fifty-five percent said, on balance, that social media does more harm than good.
63% 59% 54% 38%
•• Forty-four percent said not being able to check social media for a day or two would make
them anxious. I’d be physically I’d be a happier On balance, I’d like to
healthier if I person if I social media completely
•• Four in 10 wish they could stop using it completely. More in mature markets would like to
reduced the reduced the does more stop using
abandon social media than in emerging markets (44 percent versus 36 percent). time I spend time I spend on harm social media
on social media social media than good

Millennials Gen Zs

Q38. Do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the use of social media?
Base: All millennials 13,416, all Gen Zs 3,009
The Deloitte Global Millennial Survey 2019 19
Paradoxically, groups who have the most positive opinions of their personal use— Regarding personal data, half of millennials who feel positively about their use
men, employed and college-educated people—also said they wished they could stop of digital devices and social media said more should be done to protect people’s
using it at higher rates. One might assume that if 41 percent of people who generally information. Among those with a negative opinion of their own use, that fraction
like something wish they could avoid it, either it’s highly addictive or harmful in some increases to two-thirds. Overall, women and parents expressed the greatest
way. Or both. concerns about data collection and were most resolute in their desire for data
protection and online security.
For social media, multiple studies have acknowledged the former, and this survey
supports it. Those who have a negative opinion of their use of digital devices and Finally, only 14 percent of millennials strongly agree that the benefits of technology
social media are more likely to say they would be healthier and happier if they outweigh the risks associated with sharing personal data, and 79 percent are
stopped. They are twice as likely as others to want to stop using social media and less concerned they’ll be victims of online fraud. Combine those statistics with the
likely to say this would make them anxious. Yet they don’t stop, even when 81 percent knowledge that a quarter of millennials have curtailed consumer relationships
of them believe their use does more harm than good. because of companies’ inability to protect data, and it should serve as a warning to
business leaders going forward.
Recent world events have highlighted examples of the latter—from unpoliced sites
that advocate suicide in the United Kingdom, to unrestrained videos of the New
Zealand mass shooting, to coordinated efforts to influence foreign elections that
relied on collected personal data.

The Deloitte Global Millennial Survey 2019 20

The MillZ Mood Monitor
Beginning with this year’s survey, we are gauging the mood of respondents
using an index that will provide an annual snapshot of millennials’ and Gen
Zs’ optimism that the world and their places in it will improve.

Scores are based on the results of five questions:

Economy
Do you expect the overall economic situation to improve, worsen, or stay
the same over the next 12 months?

Social/political
Do you expect the overall social/political situation to improve, worsen, or
stay the same over the next 12 months?

Personal
How do you expect your personal financial situation to change over the
next 12 months?

Environment
Are you generally optimistic or pessimistic that efforts to protect and
sustain the health of the planet will be effective?

Business
What impact do you think businesses are having on the wider society in
which they operate?

Composite scores were calculated and expressed on a scale ranging from

zero (absolute pessimism) to 100 (complete optimism).14 This method gives
us the ability to compare year-to-year movement, as well as regional and
demographic groups within a given year.

The Deloitte Global Millennial Survey 2019 21

In this inaugural poll, millennials posted a score of 39; Gen Zs scored 40. Index scores were hampered, though, by doubt about economic and social/political
Scores were boosted by generally positive feelings regarding business and the situations (see figure 11). In both groups, men were more optimistic than women,
environment. Despite a large drop-off in the past couple of years, 55 percent of driven by a more positive economic outlook and agreement that business has a
both groups still believe business is having a positive impact on society. And about positive impact upon wider society.
half of each group believe efforts to protect the planet’s health will be effective,
compared to less than 30 percent who aren’t convinced.
Figure 11

MillZ Mood Monitor score and element contribution

Aggregated responses created the scores below, between zero (absolute pessimism) and 100 (complete optimism):

39
Millennial
37 42
Business impact optimism
Index Score
Environmental optimism

Personal finance optimism

Economic optimism

40
Gen Z
35 44 Social/political optimism

Index Score

Q2. Taking everything into account, do you expect the overall economic situation to improve, worsen, or stay the same over the next 12 months?
Q3. Taking everything into account, do you expect the overall social/political situation to improve, worsen, or stay the same over the next 12
months? Q4a. How do you expect your personal financial situation to change over the next 12 months? Q6. Are you generally optimistic or
pessimistic that efforts to protect and sustain the health of the planet will be effective? Q11. Thinking about businesses in general around the world,
what impact do you think they are having on the wider society in which they operate? Base: All millennials 13,416, all Gen Zs 3,009 The Deloitte Global Millennial Survey 2019 22
We recognize that global respondents have different baseline perspectives. As a
result, we tend to see greater optimism in emerging nations and more subdued
expectations in developed countries where the bar may be set higher. That’s likely
why countries such as Norway and Finland—widely regarded as two of the happiest
places on Earth—posted some of the lowest scores while countries like Nigeria
were extremely encouraged about a better future (see figure 12).

Figure 12

Millennials
Emerging markets
are more optimistic
about improvement
MillZ Mood
than mature markets
Monitor Aggregated responses created the
69
scores below, between zero (absolute
65
pessimism) and 100 (complete
61 61 60 60
59 57 optimism):
54
52 51
49 48

43
40 39
37 37 37
36 36 36 36 35
34 34 33
32 32 32 32
30 30 29
28 27 27
26 25 25
24 23 23 23
Emerging markets

22
Mature markets

United Kingdom
Czech Republic
All millennials
United States

New Zealand
Saudi Arabia

Netherlands
South Africa

South Korea
Switzerland
Philippines

Hong Kong
Singapore
Argentina
Indonesia

Colombia

Denmark

Germany
Australia
Malaysia
Thailand

Belgium
Norway
Sweden
Canada

Finland
Austria
Nigeria

Ireland
Mexico

Turkey
Poland

France
Russia
China

Brazil

Japan
Israel
Spain
India

Chile
Peru

Italy

Base: All millennials 13,416, emerging markets 6,069, mature/Western markets 7,347, per country 319
The Deloitte Global Millennial Survey 2019 23
In both generational groups, the country that scored closest to the average was
the United States, positioning it as a bellwether country. Among millennials, the US
score of 40 was equally positioned between the average of emerging markets (48) and
developed markets (32).

Figure 13

China 66 Gen Zs in European markets

India 61 are the least optimistic
US 41
Aggregated responses created the scores at left, between zero
All Gen Zs 40 Gen Zs (absolute pessimism) and 100 (complete optimism):

Canada 38

Australia 36
MillZ Mood
Japan 33 Monitor

UK 33

Italy 32

Germany 31

France 27

Base: All Gen Zs 3,009, per country 301

The Deloitte Global Millennial Survey 2019 24
Conclusion:
The roadmap for business
Disruption has proven to be a dual-edged sword: It has advanced the world in ways What does this mean?
that have radically improved our daily lives—and it has altered the fabric of society
and created difficult, new challenges. Nothing illustrates this better than social media Millennials and Gen Zs want all of the talk business gives to purpose to become
and the love/hate relationship that millennials and Gen Zs have with it. meaningful action, and for business leaders to serve as agents for positive change.
They expect business to enhance lives and provide livelihoods, but they don’t see
Events of the past decade have had an enormous impact on younger generations. enough businesses standing up and filling the void.
But there’s something about the past couple of years that is particularly distressing.
It’s most evident in the steep declines we’ve seen in respondents’ views on the By ensuring that strategy incorporates plans to meet societal needs and
economy, their countries’ social/political situations, and institutions such as acknowledging the personal and societal concerns about which millennials and Gen
government, the mass media, and business. Given the importance of millennials Zs care most, business can re-engage younger generations and inspire loyalty.
and Gen Zs as both consumers and employees, the results of this year’s survey As employers, leaders should:
should have alarm bells ringing in C-suites around the world.
•• Open a dialogue with their millennial and Gen Z employees, listen to their
concerns, and strive to understand why certain issues really matter to them.
This survey, though, also provides compelling clues for business leaders to follow.
For example, millennials and Gen Zs show deeper loyalty to employers who boldly •• Ask how they can better enable people to realize their ambitions.
tackle the issues that resonate with them most, such as protecting the environment
•• Help them prepare for the future by providing training and tools that enable them
and unemployment. And as consumers, they are inclined to spend their income on
to succeed.
products and services from brands that speak to these issues.
•• Take visible and vocal stances that assume responsibility for delivering
societal impact.

The Deloitte Global Millennial Survey 2019 25

And as global citizens with a powerful ability to make a Millennials and Gen Zs make up more than half the world’s population and,
difference, businesses should: together, account for most of the global workforce. They aren’t the future—they’re
the present. They can make or break entire enterprises, and they aren’t afraid to
let their wallets speak for them. There’s a tremendous and genuine opportunity
•• Balance profit with protecting the planet and helping to solve society’s most for leaders—in government, business, and elsewhere—to capture the hearts and
challenging problems. minds of our younger generations. Those who can make the future brighter for
•• Create a culture that encourages diversity, inclusion, and social mobility. millennials and Gen Zs stand to have the brightest futures themselves.

•• Educate people throughout their organizations to encourage behaviors and

attitudes that support their business’s priorities.

•• Collaborate with other businesses, government, and educators to transform

learning and enable individuals to access the skills they need to meet future
job demands.

•• Take a lead on safeguarding their operations and data from physical and
digital threats.

•• Examine their ethics and behavior and ask whether they’re intruding too far into
people’s lives.

•• Demonstrate internally and externally what they are doing to make the world a
better place.

The Deloitte Global Millennial Survey 2019 26

References
1. Mary Delach Leonard, “10 years after the Great Recession, millennials still struggle to catch 8. Among millennials like those surveyed in the past (college-educated and employed in the same
up with the economy,” St. Louis Public Radio, September 21, 2018. markets), 40 percent said they believe business leaders make a positive impact on the world.

2. Lisa B. Kahn, “The long-term labor market consequences of graduating from college 9. Among millennials like those surveyed in the past (college-educated and employed in the same
in a bad economy,” Labor Economics 17, no. 2 (April 2010): DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j. markets), 54 percent said they believe new technologies will augment their jobs.
labeco.2009.09.002; Yuji Genda, Ayako Kondo, and Souichi Ohta, “Long-term effects of a
10. Deloitte and Forbes Insights, Success personified in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, 2019, pp.
recession at labor market entry in Japan and the United States,” Journal of Human Resources
15.
45, no. 1 (2010): pp. 157–96; Philip Oreopoulos, Till von Wachter, and Andrew Heisz, “The short-
and long-term career effects of graduating in a recession,” American Economic Journal: Applied 11. Deloitte Insights, 2019 Global Human Capital Trends, Leading the social enterprise: Reinvent with
Economics 4, no. 1 (January 2012): pp. 1–29. a human focus.
3. Christopher Kurz, Geng Li, and Daniel J. Vine, “Are millennials different?,” Finance and 12. Peter Economy, “The (millennial) workplace of the future is almost here—these 3 things are
Economics Discussion Series, Federal Reserve Board, 2018. about to change big time,” Inc., January 15, 2019.
4. Responses regarding “ambitions” may take into account (and not include) things they have 13. Deloitte and Forbes Insights, Success personified in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
already done/achieved.
14. Results were aggregated using the percentages of respondents expressing positive outlooks
5. Among millennials like those surveyed in the past (college-educated and employed in the same regarding each of the five questions. That number was divided by the maximum possible total
markets), 28 percent said they expect the economic situations in their countries to improve in of 500, yielding a percentage that is stated as a whole number (i.e., 0.4 gives a composite score
the coming year. of 40). If respondents were equally optimistic about each of the five questions, then each would
contribute equally to the composite score. Accordingly, areas of greater relative optimism
6. Isabelle Gerretsen, Sarah Lazarus, and Yoonjung Seo, “Global climate strike: Meet the
account for larger segments of the composite score, as reflected in the pie charts in figure 11.
teenagers skipping school to fight for a greener planet,” CNN, March 15, 2019.

7. Among millennials like those surveyed in the past (college-educated and employed in the
same markets), 60 percent said business has a positive impact on wider society (66 percent
in emerging markets and 54 percent in mature markets). While the drop-off is less severe, the
overall response remains the lowest recorded since the survey began.

The Deloitte Global Millennial Survey 2019 27

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