- 59% of 18–34-year-olds want to work in 2–5 companies over their lifetime
- 87% consider financial independence very important
- 94% use social media daily, but 44% wish they spent less time on it
Millennials (born 1981–1996) were the first generation to grow up in the internet era. The next, Generation Z (born 1997–2007), entered adulthood in the age of social media. According to an EY survey, today’s 18–34-year-olds represent the first global generation reshaping long-standing social norms. The report – The First Global Generation: A New Perspective on Adulthood in a Changing World – is based on conversations with 10,000 young adults across 10 countries.
Rethinking Adulthood
These young adults are taking on adult responsibilities, but not in the traditional order of finishing studies, getting a stable job, marrying, buying a home, having children, and retiring at the statutory age. Instead, they approach life milestones with pragmatism and skepticism rather than rebellion.
Globally, 86% of respondents already consider themselves adults, and 40% said they felt like adults as early as 18. Yet, 60% still live with their parents.
Careers and Work Values
More than half of respondents (59%) believe they will change jobs multiple times, expecting to work for two to five organizations in their lifetime. Another 14% envision working for up to 10 different companies.
“For young people, changing jobs isn’t negative or stressful. On the contrary, they seek employers who share their values, set real challenges, and recognize their contributions,” said Katarzyna Ellis, Partner at EY and Leader of People Consulting.
EY’s survey found that young adults don’t want to devote their lives entirely to work or material wealth. Instead of focusing on “work-life balance,” they look for jobs that provide stability and plenty of free time. Mental and physical health are their top priorities – 51% rank it as the main measure of success.
While financial independence remains critical (87% say it is very important), money is no longer the sole definition of success.
According to Wioletta Marciniak-Mierzwa, Director in EY Poland’s People Consulting team, employers face a new challenge: redefining career paths and motivation for younger generations. Flexibility, autonomy, protection from burnout, and alignment with personal values are not perks for this group, but expectations. Employers who want to attract and retain young talent must create people-centered workplaces and embrace cultures that empower employees.
The Smartphone Generation
Almost all respondents (99%) own smartphones, with their first device at an average age of 16. Smartphones have become their main gateway to information.
Millennials grew up in the information age, discovering new ways of working and consuming. Gen Z, by contrast, matured in the age of social media – 94% use it daily. At the same time, 44% say they would like to spend less time on it, while 24% would prefer to spend more.
The biggest difference between Millennials and Gen Z lies in technology: generative AI. For Millennials, it is the first transformative technology they did not encounter during adolescence.
“Understanding how technology shapes young people’s worldview is crucial for employers. Gen Z is the first generation truly shaped by technology and social media, creating global convergence in workplace expectations. The arrival of GenAI means building direct human connections will become an even more important factor when choosing jobs,” Ellis summarized.
About the Study
The EY survey The First Global Generation: A New Perspective on Adulthood in a Changing World was conducted in late 2024 on a representative sample of 10,000 people aged 18–34. Respondents were interviewed in their native languages in Saudi Arabia, Brazil, China, India, Japan, Germany, South Korea, South Africa, Sweden, and the United States.
