Survey: Career is No Longer Just About Position; Gen Z and Millennials Now Seek Work-Life Balance

The way young people view their careers is changing. While success used to be synonymous with high positions and rapid promotions, many Gen Z and millennial workers now prefer career paths that are considered more realistic, healthy, and sustainable.

The Deloitte Global 2026 Gen Z and Millennial Survey shows that younger generations are now more cautious in determining their career direction amid pressures from the cost of living, technological changes, and concerns about mental health. Only 6% of Gen Z and millennials cite leadership positions as their primary career goal. Instead, the majority of these two generations prefer stable career growth over rapid promotions. As many as 44% of Gen Z and 45% of millennials say they prefer “steady progress” in their careers. In addition, about 20% of respondents are even willing to move laterally or accept more junior positions in order to gain experience that is considered more appropriate for the long term.

In the report, Deloitte states that young people are beginning to redefine the meaning of career advancement. Success is no longer measured solely by how high or quickly someone rises in rank, but whether that career journey can be sustained without sacrificing personal life. “Millennials and Gen Z really want opportunities to have a whole life, which isn’t just about building a career at a company. They value well-being,” said Russell in the report. This is also reflected in the responses of survey respondents. “I want a job that makes me feel fulfilled. I don’t always have to get promoted to feel satisfied. I want to be able to go home, live my life, and have a separation between work and personal life,” said Nita, a Gen Z respondent. “Success means different things to different people. For me, it’s all about balance between work and personal life,” she explained. While not completely rejecting leadership, many Gen Z and millennials view managerial positions as synonymous with high pressure and an unbalanced life. The Deloitte survey shows that the main reason young people are reluctant to pursue leadership positions is stress and burnout. This factor is cited by 50% of Gen Z and 49% of millennials.