Workplace stress & anxiety most common in millennials & Gen Z; environment remains top concern

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP has recently unveiled the 10th Edition of Millennial and Gen Z Survey 2021 for India. The survey got the views of 14.6K millennials and 8.2K Gen Zs (22,928 respondents total) from 45 countries around the world. Millennials included in the study were born between January 1983 and December 1994. Gen Z respondents were born between January 1995 and December 2003.

While these generations might not agree on types of jeans to wear or which side to part your hair, both millennials and Gen Z believe the world is at a tipping point on environmental issues, inequality, and racism. They are holding themselves and institutions accountable in order to bring about a more sustainable and equitable world.

Environment & discrimination a mutual concern
The environment remains a top concern. During the pandemic, health care and unemployment topped millennials’ list of concerns. But environment remained a priority (#3 for millennials and #1 for Gen Zs).


40% believe that more people will commit to take action on environmental issues after the pandemic. But 60% fear business’ commitment to helping combat climate change will be less of a priority as business leaders reckon with challenges brought on by the pandemic. Nine in ten Indian millennials (90%) and Gen Z (87%) are optimistic that changes seen during the pandemic can reverse environmental damage.

Millennials and Gen Zs believe discrimination is widespread. More than half of Indian millennials and close to half of Gen Zs feel personally discriminated against all the time or frequently on/by various platforms because of an aspect of their backgrounds.

Stress tests
Stress levels are driven by concerns about finances, family welfare, and job prospects. Almost half of Gen Zs and millennials said they feel stressed all or most of the time, which is higher than the global average. Apart from health, matters like financial security, welfare of the family, and job security are factors contributing to stress.

Stress and anxiety are prevalent in the workplace, and employers’ efforts to support mental health are seen as inadequate. About a third of respondents (millennials 31%, Gen Zs 35%) said they’ve taken time off work due to stress caused by the pandemic. Interestingly more than 75% of Indian millennials say that they have openly spoken about stress with their employers, well over the global average. There is also a considerably smaller proportion in India who disagree that their employer has taken action to support their mental health now, or that their employer is preparing policies for the future.

Stepping stones
Views on business’ social impact continue to decline; job loyalty slips. While the perception of businesses having a positive impact on society has steadily declined over the last five years globally, Indian respondents still rate businesses much more positively compared to their global counterparts. However, they more or less agree with the global perception of businesses largely being focused on their own interests and making money. Globally, job loyalty slipped from its 2020 peak. More millennials and Gen Zs would like to leave their employer within two years than last year—36% and 53% respectively, compared to 31% and 50% in 2020.

The pandemic effect
The vast majority of Indian millennials (86%) and Gen Zs (80%) adhere strongly to public health guidelines throughout their day-to-day lives; more so than the global average. Both groups are slightly less likely than the rest of the world to wear a facemask in public, but are far more likely to challenge other people for not following guidelines, as well as avoiding shops and other public places.

About 74% of Indian millennials and 69% Gen Zs have regularly worn a mask while in public. 73% of Indian millennials and 66% Gen Zs avoided shops, public transport and other places with lots of people. 48% of Indian millennials and 43% Gen Zs challenged people who have not been following recommended guidelines. Only 12% of Indian millennials and 13% Gen Zs complained about restrictions being too tight.