Climate change one of the top concerns for Gen-Zs and millennials in India: Report

Indian Gen-Zs and millennials are more likely than the global average to pay more for sustainable products. Image: Shutterstock

More than 18 million people in India will vote for the first time in the 2024 general elections, result of which will be announced on June 4. Most of them are Gen-Zs—those born after 1997—and millennials.

According to Deloitte’s 2024 Gen-Z and Millennial Survey, 58 percent Gen-Zs and 65 percent millennials in India expect the country’s overall economic situation to improve in the next 12 months. Close to 50 percent in both groups think the country’s social and political scenarios will get better.

The survey spoke to around 22,000 Gen-Zs and millennials across countries, including 800-odd from India. The main concerns for the Indian Gen-Z respondents were education, skills and training (29 percent), unemployment (23 percent), climate change (21 percent), sexual harassment (19 percent) and mental health (18 percent). Millennials in the country are mostly concerned about climate change (30 percent), health care/disease prevention (24 percent), unemployment (24 percent), education, skills and training (23 percent), and economic growth (21 percent).

On jobs

Among the respondents, 89 percent Gen-Zs and 96 percent millennials in India—compared to 86 percent Gen-Zs and 89 percent millennials globally—think that having a sense of purpose in their job is important for job satisfaction and well-being. On an average, close to 85 percent Gen-Zs and millennials, both in India and globally, believe that their current job gives them a sense of purpose.

On climate change

Eighty-four percent of Gen-Zs in India (73 percent globally) and 90 percent millennials in India (77 percent globally) actively try to minimise their personal impact on the environment. With the ongoing heatwave, sand storms, tornados and other calamities around the world, both groups believe that doing their personal bit for the environment isn’t enough; close to 90 percent in India and 80 percent globally believe that governments should push businesses to address climate change and they should enable consumers to make more sustainable purchasing decisions.

Also read: What is Gen Z looking for in 2024?

Indian Gen-Zs and millennials are more likely than the global average to pressure their employers to take climate action, and to be willing to pay more for sustainable products. Moreover, 31 percent of Gen-Zs and 35 percent of millennials in India have stopped or lessened a relationship with a business because their products/services negatively impact the environment.

On AI

According to the report, Indian participants exhibit enthusiasm for Gen AI (artificial intelligence), while on a global scale, the respondents express greater hesitancy towards it. Indian Gen-Zs and millennials are approximately twice as inclined to utilise Gen AI regularly compared to the worldwide average, and most respondents (80 percent Indian Gen-Zs and 82 percent Indian millennials) anticipate it enhancing their work-life balance and productivity. Indian respondents demonstrate substantial involvement with Gen AI, with 40 percent having undergone training, which is more than double the global average.

Also read: Gen Z is seriously concerned about the climate crisis: survey

On mental health

Only about 64 percent of Gen-Zs in India (versus 51 percent globally) and 76 percent millennials in India (56 percent globally) say their overall mental health and well-being are good. Forty percent of Gen-Zs and millennials in India think that their job is a major contributing factor to anxiety and stress.