Financial concerns cited among top reasons for stress and anxiety

New research Deloitte by has found that early half (49%) of Gen Zs and 43% of Millennials in the UK say they feel stressed or anxious all or most of the time, up slightly from last year’s figures of 47% and 41% respectively. Of those who feel this way, 41% of UK Gen Zs and 35% of Millennials state long-term financial future as a reason, compared to 48% of Gen Zs and 45% of Millennials globally.

Day-to-day finances were given as a main reason for 40% of Gen Zs and 38% of Millennials who feel anxious or stressed. This was alongside family/personal relationships (41% Gen Z and 25% Millennials) and mental health concerns (38% Gen Zs and 25% Millennials).

While career growth and learning opportunities are top priorities for UK Gen Zs when selecting an employer, Deloitte’s 2025 Gen Z and Millennial Survey* reveals that few aspire to senior leadership roles. Just 4% of Gen Zs and 7% of Millennials cite reaching the top as their primary career goal.

Financial independence (21% of Gen Zs, 18% of Millennials) and work-life balance (18% of Gen Zs, 20% of Millennials) are the leading career goals for young UK workers, mirroring global trends (22% and 20% for financial independence; 17% and 20% for work-life balance, respectively).

For UK Gen Zs and Millennials, a sense of purpose is overwhelmingly important for job satisfaction and wellbeing (88% and 92%, respectively). This emphasis on purpose translates into action, with a higher proportion of UK respondents having left a job due to a lack of it (52% of Gen Zs and 50% of Millennials) compared to their global counterparts (44% and 45%, respectively). UK Gen Zs and Millennials are less likely than their global counterparts to reject employers based on personal ethics and beliefs (35% and 32% vs. 41% and 40%, respectively).

Kate Sweeney, Partner in Human Capital at Deloitte UK, said “Gen Zs and Millennials are clear about their workplace priorities: they seek employers whose values align with their own. For most, career satisfaction isn’t about climbing the traditional corporate ladder, which suggests a redefinition of success.

“To attract and retain Gen Z and Millennial talent, employers must adapt their leadership development and career progression models, offering more diverse and fulfilling options.”

When it comes to the workplace, three-quarters of respondents (71% of Gen Zs and 78% of Millennials) in the UK feel that GenAI has improved the quality of their work. 76% of Gen Zs and 72% of Millennials report that it frees up time and improves their work-life balance.

16% of Gen Zs and 20% of Millennials in the UK report that they have already completed GenAI training (compared to 17% and 19% globally). Of those who have not, 32% and 33% respectively said they plan to complete it within the next 12 months, compared to 36% and 37% of respondents globally.

While Gen Z in the UK lags slightly behind their global peers in daily GenAI use (50% in the UK vs. 57% globally), UK Millennials match the global average at 56%.

Sweeney added “Both generations view Generative AI as a powerful tool with the potential to reshape the workplace, a perspective underscored by their clear desire to acquire relevant skills. This presents a crucial opportunity for employers to invest in AI training programmes, not only to meet the evolving demands of the workplace, but to encourage continuous learning.”