Have you ever tried asking yourself or those around you? "What are your life goals for the next 3-5 years?"
Many people's answers may no longer be marriage, having children, or starting their own business, but rather simply figuring out how to survive each month living paycheck to paycheck.
According to the 2026 Global Gen Z and Millennial Survey by Deloitte, which collected data from young people worldwide including Thailand, the findings reveal a sympathetic truth: young Thais worry about their financial future more than the global average.
The number one problem haunting them for five consecutive years is the "cost of living."
Meanwhile, the cost of living continues to rise.
The Deloitte Thailand Salary Policies Survey reports that average salaries in Thailand increased only 4.5% last year, below the historical average of 5%. With income growing slower than expenses, young people's life equation turns negative.
The difficulty for this generation to establish themselves is most evident in "housing prices." Currently, home and condo prices have soared far beyond salary bases, becoming a major pressure point at work. As many as 94% of Thai Gen Z and 85% of Millennials admit that their ability to afford housing directly influences their career and workplace choices.
These figures are significantly higher than the global averages (69% for Gen Z, 64% for Millennials). If a job does not pay enough to cover mortgage payments or offer convenient commuting, they are ready to reject it immediately.
With financial security still out of reach, life milestones appropriate for their age must be delayed. The survey shows about 65% of Gen Z and 57% of Millennials in Thailand have postponed major life decisions such as:
Young people do want families and growth, but economic pressures force them to prioritize present survival before thinking about the future.
Interestingly, Thai youth show high ambition; they want to become organizational leaders (83% Gen Z, 84% Millennials), significantly above global averages, and 87-88% are ready to adopt new technologies like AI in their work.
However, despite this ambition, they do not see leadership positions as an urgent priority now (only 2% view it as a primary goal), understanding that leadership today comes with stress, burnout, and loss of work-life balance.
Ultimately, what they yearn for most to nourish their spirit amid financial storms is "work-life balance," stability, and meaningful work aligned with their values.
This report reflects the reality of young people in Thai society today. They are not lazy or lacking patience; they are fighting hard in an economic game whose rules no longer favor easy success as in the past.
Source: 2026 Global Gen Z and Millennial Survey report from Deloitte Thailand.
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