International Workplace Group shares its latest research on New Career Model for India’s Gen Z

2026-07-15 02:16:30 Miscellaneous

219

Mumbai, July 15, 2026: India's Gen Z is entering the workforce at a time when AI adoption, rising costs of living, gig work, flexible workspaces and urban commute stress are converging. As a result, Gen Z professionals are rethinking their careers, driven by flexibility, AI fluency and multiple income pathways, rather than a single linear job, says new research from International Workplace Group (IWG), the world's largest platform for work and provider of flexible workspace.

The IWG research suggests a new career model is emerging, where success increasingly depends not only on technical skills, but also on adaptability, entrepreneurial thinking and the ability to work alongside rapidly evolving technologies.

With AI emerging as one of the most profound shifts in how we work, entire job functions are being reshaped in real time and new ones are emerging just as quickly. As a result, younger workers are increasingly moving away from traditional linear careers in favour of more agile and diversified "portfolio careers" that combine multiple roles, side hustles and entrepreneurial ventures.

Deloitte's 2026 Gen Z and Millennial Survey India findings show that 93% of Gen Zs and 95% of millennials in India use AI in their day-to-day work, with learning and development emerging as one of the most popular use cases. This suggests that India's youngest professionals are actively using AI to build skills, navigate careers and improve productivity.

Based on research among Gen Z professionals across the UK, the study shows that 33% already have or are considering a side hustle, with nearly half (48%) motivated by the need to earn extra income and achieve greater financial security amid rising living costs, inflation and student debt. The Indian Gen Z mirrors this: only 16% want a single full-time job, while 43% pair a primary role with a side hustle to stay ahead of rising rents and living costs (Grip Invest, 2025).

The Rise of Portfolio Careers

Rather than relying on a single employer or role, Gen Z is increasingly building "portfolio careers," combining multiple income streams to future-proof their work in an uncertain economic and technological landscape. This shift is closely tied to the growing influence of AI, with 55?lieving it will reshape their careers. In response, young professionals are proactively developing new skills and diversifying their income sources to stay adaptable as roles continue to evolve.

The shift towards diversified income streams also aligns with the rapid growth of India's gig and platform economy. NITI Aayog's report, India's Booming Gig and Platform Economy, estimated that 7.7 million workers were engaged in India's gig economy in 2020-21 and projected this number to rise to 23.5 million by 2029-30. As younger professionals seek greater income resilience and flexibility, portfolio careers, freelance projects and platform-enabled work are likely to become a more visible part of India's employment landscape.

This trend further reflects a broader shift in the future of work: as AI increasingly handles technical and repeatable tasks, human capabilities, such as creativity, collaboration, adaptability and leadership, become even more valuable. In fact, 90% of HR leaders say failing to prioritise human capabilities is a risk to innovation, with 65% saying AI cannot replicate human empathy and 53% stating leadership remains uniquely human.**

Career mobility driven by earning power

Earning potential remains a key driver. Among those who have changed roles in the past three years, 30% say their main motivation was securing a higher salary and 43% changed roles two to three times during this period. Separately, a Deel-commissioned survey also found that 70% of Gen Z professionals in India were willing to switch jobs for better pay, highlighting how compensation pressures are shaping career decisions for the youngest cohort of the workforce.
However, Gen Z is not simply climbing traditional career ladders. Instead, many are adopting "career lily pads," which involves strategically moving between roles, industries and projects to increase earning potential and stay ahead of financial commitments such as rent, bills and student loan repayments.

The financial-security motivation is also relevant in India. Deloitte India's 2025 Gen Z and Millennial Survey findings said more than half of India's young workforce lives paycheck-to-paycheck, while 85% of Indian Gen Zs and millennials engage in weekly learning activities. This combination of financial pressure and continuous upskilling helps explain why younger professionals are increasingly open to job mobility, freelance assignments and additional income streams.

Gen Zs reject the commute

For younger workers, the traditional long commute is increasingly seen as outdated. Many want to work closer to home from professional workspaces using technology that allows them to collaborate, network and build their careers without spending hours travelling each day. 65% of Gen Z say they would be less likely to pursue entrepreneurship or multiple careers if required to commute long distances daily.

Nowhere is that calculation starker than in India's metros. Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai rank among the world's slowest cities, with commuters losing 121 to 129 hours a year to peak-hour traffic (TomTom 2025), and a BCG study for Uber found Indians spend 1.5 hours more on the road each day than peers elsewhere in Asia. For a generation building side hustles, hours lost to traffic are hours that could be reinvested in earning and learning.

Hybrid and flexible working are enabling this shift by giving young professionals greater control over their time. 24% say hybrid work reduces commuting time, freeing up hours they can reinvest in personal projects or additional income streams. 20% say it allows them to test new career paths without leaving their main role, while 21% say it enables collaboration with professionals outside their primary industry.

The move away from long daily commutes is also being reinforced by the next generation entering the workforce. Additional research from IWG shows that three quarters (75%) of Gen Alpha (aged 11 to 17) say eliminating wasted travel time will be fundamental to how they structure their working day.***

This shift towards working closer to home is leading to the rapid growth in professional local workspaces. International Workplace Group added well over 1,100 locations in 2025 and achieved its highest ever revenue, as demand grows for flexible workspaces in suburbs and smaller towns. In India, that demand is driving an expanding footprint, with new Regus and IWG centres opening across the country.

Harsh Lambah, Country Manager, India and Vice President, Sales, South Asia at IWG, said: "Gen Z in India is entering the workforce at a moment of real change. AI is reshaping roles across our largest sectors, and young professionals are responding by building new skills, multiple income streams and portfolio careers that strengthen their value. In cities like Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai, where a commute can easily swallow two-three hours of the day, working closer to home is what makes a side hustle or a second venture possible. By opening professional workspaces where people live, we are giving India's young professionals back their time to upskill, collaborate and build the careers they want."

About International Workplace Group PLC

International Workplace Group (IWG) is the world's leading platform for work enabling companies of all sizes to work more productively and profitably. We create personal, financial, and strategic value for the most exciting companies and well-known organizations on the planet as well as individuals and the next generation of industry leaders. All of them harness the power of IWG's platform to increase their productivity, efficiency, agility, and market proximity.

International Workplace Group's unrivalled network coverage includes more than 5,000 locations across 120 countries and 83% of Fortune 500 companies are amongst our growing customer base.
Our brands including Regus, Spaces, HQ and Signature serve millions of people, providing professional, inspiring and collaborative workspaces and all our digital services are available via the IWG app.