New Gallup data shows nearly 8 million fewer engaged workers since 2020, with younger employees reporting sharp declines in support, communication, and career growth.
The percentage of U.S. Employees who are actively engaged at work averaged 31% in 2025, unchanged from 2024, according to Gallup’s employee engagement survey. This follows several years of decline from a high of 36% in 2020, which came after a decade of steady growth.
Each percentage-point change in active engagement at work represents approximately 1.6 million full- or part-time employees in the U.S. The declines since 2020 equal to about 8 million fewer engaged employees over five years, with 3.2 million fewer engaged workers compared to 2023 alone.
Biggest Workplace Engagement Declines Among Youngest Workers
Between 2020 and 2025, younger U.S. workers experienced the largest drops in engagement. The percentage of Generation Z and younger millennials who are engaged at work dropped by eight points, while older millennials (born 1980 to 1988) dropped by nine points. Generation X declined in engagement by six points, and baby boomers saw no change in engagement since 2020.
In what ways is engagement suffering for younger members of the U.S. workforce? The data show that Generation Z and young millennials are reporting the biggest drops in feeling lacking about, having opportunities to learn and being developed at work.
Generation Z and younger millennial employees were 13 points less likely in 2025 (41%) than in 2020 (54%) to strongly agree with the statement “My supervisor, or someone at work, seems to care about me as a person.” Agreement with the statement “This last year, I have had opportunities at work to learn and grow” also fell 11 points, to 37% from 48% in 2020.
The largest declines in older millennials’ engagement follow a similar pattern, with feeling worried about down 12 points since 2020 and having opportunities at work to learn and grow down 11 points.
Decline in Employee Engagement Comes Down to Basic Needs: Communication, Respect
Clarity about what is expected at work and feeling cared about as a person show the largest declines among Employee Engagement Index items since 2020 for all U.S. employees (nine and eight points, respectively). To better understand this decline, Gallup conducted qualitative analysis on responses to open-ended survey questions, asking employees to elaborate on their experiences related to these items.
The analysis revealed that 35% of respondents said better communication would most help them gain clarity about what is expected at work. Smaller percentages mentioned direction from leadership (7%), additional development (6%), or recognition and culture (5%) as ways to help them gain greater clarity of expectations.
The qualitative data showed that U.S. Workers are seeking more communication about both the direction of their company and their own individual development. For example, one employee said that one thing that would clarify expectations is “greater transparency from management regarding firm strategy, goals and decision-making.” Other respondents focused more locally: “Communication from management and conversation on where my career and the department are going” and “more regular, consistent communication from my manager.”
To feel more cared about at work, 34% said supportive relationships, communication and respect would help, while 23% mentioned pay, benefits and security. Another 11% cited work environment and balance, while 4% said growth and future opportunities would help them feel more cared about.
The qualitative data revealed that employees mostly wanted to feel cared about at work. For some, that means fair compensation: “Paying me my worth. I shouldn’t be struggling to make ends meet.” For others, it means being taken seriously when concerns are raised. As one employee explained, “If I felt listened to. If we have a complaint, the response is always, ‘remember why you’re here’ or ‘have more grace’ or ‘practice gratitude,’ which is not solving the problem and making us feel bad for even bringing something up that we need worked on.”
