How People See Purpose, Pressure, and Progress in Their Careers Today
Work influences more than income. It shapes identity, confidence, stress, and how people imagine their future. The latest TPS Pulse Research across 60+ countries reveals a world where people care deeply about growth and stability, yet feel stretched by rising expectations, workplace stress, and rapid technological shifts.
People across the world want a better balance. More than 68% feel satisfied with their work life, yet 45% experience stress at least weekly. Expectations from careers have risen for 61% of respondents, and two in three feel confident about growing in the next two years. At the same time, AI and automation are reshaping how people think about job security and future skills.
These patterns vary sharply across countries. In India, work life is a blend of ambition and rising confidence. In the United States, people still chase growth but with clearer boundaries. In the United Kingdom, stability matters as much as progression. In Brazil and South Africa, emotional strain and uncertainty show up more strongly. Meanwhile, markets like Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and Mexico reveal optimism powered by community networks and emerging economic momentum.
Together, these differences help decode how work, purpose, and worth are evolving in 2025.
What We Asked
We asked people how satisfied they feel with their work life, how often they feel stressed, what matters most when choosing a job, how they define success, how their expectations have changed over time, how confident they feel about career growth, how AI affects them, and what motivates them to stay in a job.
Work life feels steady for most people, but the pressures show up in the middle
Globally, 68% feel satisfied or very satisfied with their work life. This suggests that most people find enough balance or meaning to keep them steady. Yet 23.4% sit in the neutral zone. This group is important because neutrality often hints at emotional fatigue, blocked career paths, or inconsistent support from employers. Another 8% are dissatisfied, showing gaps in fairness, workload, or stability.
How different markets experience work life
- Saudi Arabia and India show some of the strongest satisfaction levels, where 40%+ feel very satisfied. Strong cultural emphasis on growth and stability creates confidence.
- Mexico also crosses 40% very satisfied, reflecting work cultures where relationships and community support influence emotional wellbeing.
- The United States sits at around 38% very satisfied, suggesting steady but not overwhelming satisfaction, shaped by personal boundaries and autonomy.
- Nigeria holds between 35 and 40% very satisfied, supported by strong social networks and optimism.
- The United Kingdom shows 36% very satisfied, revealing steadiness but more moderate emotional intensity.
- South Africa shows 39.5% very satisfied but also a high neutral group at 19.2%, suggesting mixed emotional realities.
- Brazil, at 28% very satisfied, highlights economic pressure, job instability, and shifting expectations.
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Stress is widespread and affects nearly half of working people every week
Globally, 45% experience stress daily or weekly. These numbers show a world where work feels heavier and less predictable. At the same time, the 5.9% who say they never feel stressed are outliers surrounded by strong emotional buffers, supportive teams, or stable work routines.
How stress varies by market
- The United States and the United Kingdom have strong weekly stress patterns, reflecting demanding schedules and high performance cultures.
- India shows high daily pressure but also high motivation, often framing stress as a part of ambition.
- South Africa and Brazil show emotional strain through higher daily stress levels, influenced by job insecurity and uneven workloads.
- Nigeria and Saudi Arabia show healthier ratios of occasional stress, suggesting stronger support networks or work cultures that pace work pressure differently.
Salary and stability matter the most when choosing a job, but growth and fairness rise sharply
Most people want practicality first. Salary and stability still lead the world’s job choices. But the rise of fair treatment, growth, learning, and flexibility shows that people want more than income. They want progress that feels equitable and humane.
How importance varies across markets
- India ranks learning and growth among the highest globally, reflecting an ambition-driven workforce.
- The US and UK push flexibility upward, especially among younger employees who are redefining work boundaries.
- Nigeria, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia place very high importance on job security, signalling environments where stability is foundational.
- Brazil and South Africa show higher emphasis on fairness and culture, reflecting emotional strain and the need for supportive environments.
How people define success today reveals a major shift in values
Success is no longer only about money. It is increasingly about personal growth, wellbeing, freedom, and meaning. These themes point to a world where people want careers that help them evolve, not just survive.
How success varies across markets
- India, Nigeria, and Mexico lean strongly toward growth and financial stability.
- The US and UK show higher preference for freedom, flexibility, and personal wellbeing.
- Saudi Arabia reflects a balanced mix of growth, recognition, and stability.
- Brazil and South Africa place more emphasis on recognition and security, shaped by emotional and economic pressures.
Expectations from careers have risen sharply in the past three years
A total of 61.6% say their expectations are now higher than before. This shift reflects a world changed by hybrid work, rising workloads, inflation, automation, and new opportunities. People now expect better balance, better pay, and better meaning from their careers.
How expectations differ across markets
- India and Mexico show rapid increases in expectations, powered by digital access and rising opportunities.
- United States and United Kingdom show steady, moderate increases as people reassess what they want from work.
- Nigeria and Saudi Arabia also show rising expectations, shaped by growing economic momentum.
- Brazil and South Africa show slower increases, influenced by work instability and uneven job markets.
Confidence in career growth is strong among most people
Together, 66% feel confident or very confident about their future. This shows optimism even in a shifting job market. However, the neutral and unconfident group (over 28%) reflects uncertainty around skill gaps, competition, or economic transitions.
How confidence differs across markets
- India, Nigeria, and Saudi Arabia show high confidence driven by expanding digital economies and strong job creation.
- United States and United Kingdom sit in the middle, with confidence shaped by skill specialization and economic conditions.
- South Africa and Brazil show lower confidence, reflecting structural job challenges.
AI and automation are beginning to reshape career thinking
Nearly 57% say AI has already influenced their work in some way. For many, the impact is small but noticeable. The 43% with no impact are largely in roles yet to be automated or supported by AI tools.
Market differences
- United States and United Kingdom show higher AI impact due to digital acceleration.
- India shows strong exposure to AI but with optimism about new opportunities.
- Nigeria and Mexico report lower current impact, but fast-growing interest.
- South Africa and Brazil show mixed experiences depending on industry.
What This Means
- Work life is emotionally steady for most people, but pressure and fatigue are rising.
- Stress affects nearly half of all working people every week.
- Salary and stability still matter, but fairness, growth, and flexibility now shape job decisions.
- Success is shifting toward growth, wellbeing, and meaning.
- Expectations are rising everywhere, with India, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia showing the sharpest increases.
- Confidence remains high, but uncertainty still touches a significant minority.
- AI is becoming a real factor in people’s job planning and expectations.
In Closing
Work is changing across the world. From India’s ambition to the United States’ search for balance, from Mexico’s optimism to South Africa’s emotional strain, people are redefining what a good career feels like. They want stability, growth, fairness, and room to breathe. They want work that supports their life, not work that consumes it.
TPS is a global opinion to insights community. These insights help decode how people across countries, ages, and industries experience work, pressure, and possibility today. The stories in this data come straight from people’s lived realities, revealing not just how work is changing, but what people truly need from it.
Disclaimer:
These insights are not just for brands; they are for anyone trying to understand how decisions are made in 2025-26. The more people share, the clearer the picture becomes.
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FAQ's
1. What does purpose mean to people today?
Purpose today means having direction and meaning in life. People often define purpose through personal goals, relationships, work, and contributing positively to their communities or society.
2. How do people define personal growth?
Personal growth is defined by continuous learning, adaptability, and self-improvement. Many people focus on building skills, improving well-being, and progressing at their own pace rather than following traditional milestones.
3. Why is stability important in modern life?
Stability matters because it helps us feel safe and know what to expect. When life feels stable, whether it’s having a steady job, reliable relationships, or a safe place to live, we can plan for the future without constantly worrying.
4. How do people balance purpose and stability?
People balance purpose and stability by aligning goals with realistic resources. Many seek meaningful activities while maintaining financial security and emotional balance, rather than choosing one over the other.
5. Has the meaning of success changed over time?
Yes, the meaning of success has shifted. Success is increasingly measured by personal fulfillment, well-being, and flexibility, rather than solely by income, job title, or material achievements.
6. How do work and career influence purpose?
Work influences purpose by providing structure, identity, and opportunities for contribution. Many people now seek work that aligns with personal values and supports growth, rather than focusing only on financial outcomes.
7. Do people prioritize growth differently across life stages?
Yes, priorities change across life stages. Younger people often focus on learning and exploration, while older groups may prioritize stability, mastery, and long-term security.
8. What role does well-being play in growth and stability?
Well-being plays a central role by supporting resilience and motivation. Physical and mental health enable people to pursue growth while maintaining balance and stability in daily life.
9. How are people redefining purpose for the future?
People are redefining purpose by focusing on balance, lifelong learning, and meaningful experiences. Future goals increasingly emphasize sustainability, well-being, and personal fulfillment.
