According to a report by global HR and payroll platform Deel, nearly 7 in 10 of Gen Z white-collar professionals are open to switching jobs within the next six months, and half would accept a fully remote position with a global company if it meant better pay.
The report highlighted that salary dissatisfaction among Gen Z is most apparent in metro cities like Delhi/NCR (55%) and Mumbai (48%), likely driven by the high cost of living. This discontent persists despite Indian Gen Z professionals witnessing the fastest global salary growth at 11%. At the core of this dissatisfaction is increasing financial pressure. Key factors contributing to the Gen Z concerns include the absence of inflation-adjusted salary hikes (21%), compensation below market standards (19%), earnings that barely cover more than basic expenses (14%), and limited salary progression. More than 6 in 10 employees believe that their older colleagues enjoy better perks and advancement opportunities.
In terms of sectors, manufacturing, education, and healthcare reported the highest levels of dissatisfaction. Gen Z professionals working in industries such as information technology, professional services, banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI), fintech, and education showed the strongest intent to switch jobs.
The survey was conducted between April and May 2025, gathering responses from 2,508 full-time white-collar Gen Z employees aged 20–28. All respondents had up to three years of work experience and represented seven Indian cities across ten industry sectors.