Struggling Financially from One Paycheck to the Next Among Young Adults in Portugal
The Deloitte Gen Z and Millennial Survey 2025, reported by ECO, has revealed that the cost of living is the primary financial concern for young Portuguese people (millennials and Generation Z). More than half of both generations live paycheck to paycheck, with many struggling to cover their basic expenses each month. Additionally, there is a widespread fear of not being able to save enough for retirement[1].
Regarding mental health, young Portuguese respondents prioritise it as one of their greatest societal concerns, second only to the cost of living. Within the workplace, this manifests as a strong demand for holistic mental health support, boundaries to prevent burnout, and meaningful wellness initiatives—not just symbolic gestures. Gen Z and millennials openly discuss mental health challenges and expect employers to be empathetic and supportive in this area[2].
For employment concerns, these young generations emphasise the importance of work-life balance, values-driven work environments, and employers that empower them to make a positive difference. They are looking for workplaces that address their mental health needs seriously and foster supportive management[2].
In summary:
| Concern Type | Key Issues for Portuguese Millennials and Gen Z | |---------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Financial | Cost of living burden; paycheck-to-paycheck living; difficulty covering basic expenses; worry about retirement savings[1] | | Mental Health | Mental health as a top societal concern; demand for holistic workplace support; openness about therapy; boundaries against burnout[2] | | Employment | Desire for work-life balance; values-driven employers; workplace empowerment; mental health-aware management[2] |
Political instability and international geopolitical conflicts are other key concerns for younger Portuguese professionals. Globally, 41% of Generation Z fear they won't be able to save enough for financial comfort in retirement, while 44% of millennials share the same concern[3]. Among millennials in Portugal, 60% fear they won't be able to save enough for financial comfort in retirement, with 54% of Generation Z holding similar worries[4].
References:
- ECO. (2025). Deloitte highlights that the cost of living is the main concern of young Portuguese people. [online] Available at: https://economia.sapo.pt/noticias/economia/deloitte-highlights-that-the-cost-of-living-is-the-main-concern-of-young-portuguese-people-1.14644763
- ECO. (2025). Gen Z and millennials prioritise mental health and work-life balance. [online] Available at: https://economia.sapo.pt/noticias/economia/gen-z-and-millennials-prioritise-mental-health-and-work-life-balance-1.14644764
- Deloitte. (2025). Globally, younger generations fear they won't be able to save enough for retirement. [online] Available at: https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/pt_pt/Documents/about-deloitte/gx-millennial-gen-z-survey-2025/pt_pt_gx-millennial-gen-z-survey-2025.pdf
- Deloitte. (2025). In Portugal, more than half of Generation Z live paycheck to paycheck. [online] Available at: https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/pt_pt/Documents/about-deloitte/gx-millennial-gen-z-survey-2025/pt_pt_gx-millennial-gen-z-survey-2025.pdf
- Despite the pressure of the high cost of living, young Portuguese people express a strong concern for their mental health, often prioritizing it as the second most significant societal issue.
- Regarding employment, Portuguese millennials and Generation Z seek workplaces that prioritize mental health support, provide meaningful wellness initiatives, and offer a balance between work and personal life.
- In line with global trends, Portuguese millennials and Generation Z share fears about their financial future, with over half residing paycheck to paycheck and worrying about their ability to save for retirement.
- With geopolitical instability and conflicts looming, these concerns combine to create additional stress for younger Portuguese professionals in the health-and-wellness, financial, business, and personal-finance domains.
