Over a third of Gen-Z will take lower growth for sustainability

The “Future-Proof” report by Dell Technologies suggests that 41% of 18–25 year olds would be willing to accept short-term economic limitations for politicians to invest in a longer-term strategy that promotes more sustainable growth.

The study, which included 15 countries and surveyed 15,105 ’Generation Z’ adults, people born between 1995-2010, from July-August 2022.

Almost two-thirds (65%) of survey respondents believe that technology will play an important role in the fight against climate crisis. 

Th group ranked sustainable energy (50%), enabling a circular economy (36%) and more sustainable public transport (29%) as the top three areas for governments to prioritise. A fifth of respondents (20%) also expressed support for greater sustainability education for citizens.   

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Gen Z’s confidence that public sector recovery investments would deliver a flourishing economy within 10 years is split: Over a third (40%) have low or no confidence, 39% are undecided, and 21% have high or total confidence. 

Richard Rawcliffe, Vice President and General Manager UK Public Sector, Dell Technologies, said: "Gen-Z is the group that will be most impacted by public and private investment decisions taken today as the future workforce that will facilitate and maintain long-term, sustainable recovery.

“Gen-Z comprises digital natives passionate about social issues such as sustainability. There is an opportunity to earn the support of Gen-Z for longer-term strategies that put digital transformation and sustainability at the core of economic growth strategies.

“Interestingly, the data revealed that acceptance of investing today for a digital and more sustainable tomorrow increases to 47% amongst those likely to vote, making it potentially a vote winner as the UK looks to drive our future-facing economy." 

Career path

Three-quarters (74%) consider training on digital skills essential to increasing future career options or plan to acquire them. 

Respondents feel their education could have better prepared them with digital skills. Over half (52%) of UK respondents said that school only taught them very basic computing skills and one-in-ten (10%) did not receive any technology or digital skills education. Four-in-ten (40%) claim school (under 16) didn’t prepare them with the technology skills needed for their planned career. 

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To help bridge the digital skills gap, a third (35%) of respondents suggested making technology courses at all education levels more interesting and widely available. Over a quarter (29%) believe mandatory technology courses up to 16 years will encourage young people into technology-driven careers. 

The research also found that to support economic growth, improving healthcare services (57%), investing in education to help close the skills gap (27%) and investing in sustainable/green infrastructure (29%) were the top three priorities globally amongst Gen-Z.

Half (50%) of Gen Z consider flexible and remote working as an important consideration when choosing an employer.

Numerous studies show that the age group also prioritises companies which have a progressive and well-defined ESG strategy.

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