'Deloitte Global MZ Generation Survey' Report
Rising Concerns Over Job Loss Due to AI Expansion
Skepticism Toward Senior Promotions, but Increased Effort in Career Development
A recent survey has found that the MZ generation (Millennials + Generation Z) is actively using generative artificial intelligence (AI) while also perceiving a high risk of job threats due to the spread of AI. The survey also revealed that while they are lukewarm about promotions to senior positions, they have a strong desire for career growth.
Korea Deloitte Group announced on the 19th that it has published the 'Deloitte Global Gen Z and Millennial Survey' report containing these findings. The report is based on a survey of over 23,000 respondents from 44 countries, including Korea.
Expectations for Higher Education Drop... Increase in Self-Directed Skills Development and AI Utilization
According to the report, 57% of Generation Z and 56% of Millennials are using generative AI in their daily lives and at work. However, there are significant concerns that generative AI could eliminate jobs (63% of Generation Z, 65% of Millennials). A high percentage also responded that they would seek jobs considered safe from the upheaval caused by generative AI (66% of Generation Z, 68% of Millennials).
Among Generation Z, who value work-life balance, only 6% considered leadership positions within companies as an important career goal. In contrast, 70% of Generation Z and 59% of Millennials said they develop their skills at least once a week for career advancement, and 'opportunities for learning and growth' ranked among the top three reasons for joining their current company.
Some members of the MZ generation feel that the current education system does not effectively prepare them for the job market. According to the report, 31% of Generation Z and 32% of Millennials have given up on attending university. When asked about concerns regarding the current higher education system, the most common answer was high tuition fees (40% of Generation Z, 38% of Millennials). Additionally, 35% of Generation Z and 37% of Millennials expressed concerns about the quality of education, indicating skepticism about whether universities provide sufficient value for the investment, beyond just cost issues.
The issue that the MZ generation is most concerned about for the fourth consecutive year is 'cost of living.' The percentage of Generation Z citing this rose from 29% in 2022 to 39% in 2025, and for Millennials, from 36% to 42%. Only 52% of Generation Z and 58% of Millennials viewed their mental health positively, while 40% and 34%, respectively, reported experiencing stress or anxiety. Among respondents who felt recognized at work, 61% of Generation Z and 68% of Millennials viewed their mental health positively, but this dropped to 41% and 45%, respectively, among those who did not feel recognized. The percentage who said they could comfortably discuss mental health with their direct supervisor was 62% for Generation Z and 64% for Millennials, but only 58% and 59%, respectively, actually expected support. Additionally, 26% expressed concern that disclosing mental health issues could lead to discrimination from their supervisors.
Korean MZ Generation More Proactive in Embracing AI
In a survey of 516 Korean members of the MZ generation, 63% of Generation Z and 56% of Millennials said they are developing new skills for career advancement at least once a week, though this is lower than the global average (70% for Generation Z, 59% for Millennials). Additionally, 34% of the Korean MZ generation have decided not to pursue higher education, a slightly higher figure than the global average (31% for Generation Z, 32% for Millennials). The reasons cited included family and personal circumstances (31% for Generation Z, 26% for Millennials) and financial constraints (25% for Generation Z, 24% for Millennials).
Among Korean Generation Z, 63% are using generative AI at work, as are 53% of Millennials (compared to 57% and 56% globally, respectively). Korean Generation Z most frequently use generative AI for 'content creation' (38% in Korea, 37% globally), while Korean Millennials are especially active in using generative AI for 'data analysis' (50% in Korea, 42% globally).
The Korean MZ generation is also struggling with the burden of living expenses. Both Generation Z (36%) and Millennials (33%) cited 'cost of living' as their biggest concern, followed by 'economic growth' (29% and 31%, respectively). Regarding personal financial stability, 57% of Generation Z and 51% of Millennials said they are living paycheck to paycheck, and 46% of Generation Z and 43% of Millennials reported difficulty covering living expenses each month.
The main factor shaping the identity of the Korean MZ generation was 'friends and family' (58% of Generation Z, 68% of Millennials), followed by 'workplace' (46% and 49%, respectively). While 35% of Generation Z and 27% of Millennials said they feel stressed or anxious most of the time, only 49% and 44%, respectively, believed that employers take employee mental health seriously, which is significantly lower than the global average (62% for Generation Z, 61% for Millennials).
Kim Sungjin, Human Capital Leader at Korea Deloitte Group, stated, "Since the MZ generation has emerged as the mainstream in the labor market, companies now need new HR strategies that consider the workplace perceptions of the MZ generation and the impact of AI." He added, "Through this report, we hope to provide an accurate understanding of the MZ generation and offer insights for building more productive companies."
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