全球化第一代：在变革世界中重塑成年

Adulthood reimagined for achanging worldMay 2025 This study explores Descriptor In this 10-country study spanning five continents, we examine thenew milestones of young adulthood and how this generation isreimagining what a successful life looks like in a rapidly changingworld. As the most informed, interconnected generation in history,young adults today are shaping adulthood differently from anybefore them. ■The new global milestones of adulthood:What life markersare being postponed, maintained or outright challenged? ■Convergence and divergence:How does where you are fromshape the way you think? Where does this global generationshare a common identity, and where do young people’sexperiences diverge across countries? Millennials (born approximately 1981 to 1996) were the first togrow up fully immersed in the internet era — the age of information.And behind them come Gen Z (born approximately 1997 to2007), who were raised amid the rise of social media – the ageof interconnection. The 18- to 34-year-olds that fall in these twocohorts represent the first truly global generation, and they arereshaping long-held norms across societies. What does adulthoodlook like now along these changing tides, and how are theyredirecting the course of the future? ■The changing relationship with success:As the traditionalpaths to financial independence, career stability andhomeownership shift, what new aspirations and definitions ofsuccess are emerging? ■Artificial intelligence (AI), uncertainty and the future:WithAI reshaping industries and economic uncertainty definingearly careers, how does this generation balance fear of theunknown with optimism about what’s next? In a world where the pace of change is no longer incrementaland is rarely linear, this study sheds light on how the first globalgeneration is not just adapting but actively reimagining whatit means to be an adult — and forcing businesses to reinventthemselves in the process. The prevailing narrative often portrays younger generations as “slowstarters” — 28-year-olds perpetually perched on their parents’ couch.This perspective fundamentally misunderstands what’s actuallyhappening. Consider how career success is no longer measuredby years at a single company, but by skills acquired and impactmade. Similarly, society needs to update its metrics for measuringadulthood. Today’s young adults are facing adult pressures andmaking adult decisions; they’re simply doing so without checkingthe traditional boxes in the historically acceptable order. Imagine a world where Gen Z in Atlanta, Mumbai and Chongqingshare more in common with each other than with their own parents.This isn’t a glimpse into some distant future — it’s happeningright now. Where their parents’ generation grew up separated bylanguage, culture, time zone, education and limited technology,today’s young adults are part of something unprecedented: thefirst truly global generation, connected by shared experiences,challenges and aspirations that transcend geographical boundaries. Think of how navigation has evolved: previous generations relied onfixed paper maps with predetermined routes, while today’s travelersuse GPS systems that adapt to real-time conditions and personalpreferences. Similarly, today’s young adults are charting their lifepaths using tools and adaptive perspectives their parents couldnever have imagined. They’re not lost — they’re navigating with adifferent, more sophisticated set of instruments. In truth, this challenging of life-stage milestones mirrors a broadertransformation happening across all generations. For example,in the US, baby boomers and Gen X are redefining retirement,launching businesses in their 60s, finding new love through datingapps in their 70s and playing pickleball or learning to surf overtraditional retirement activities. If we celebrate older generationsfor reimagining their golden years, why do we judge youngergenerations for reimagining their adulthood? The groundbreaking EY global study charting 18- to 34-year-oldsin 10 countries around the world reveals a profound shift in howyoung adults approach life’s traditional milestones. Much like howstreaming services transformed entertainment from fixed schedulesto personalized viewing, young adults are transforming adulthoodfrom a predetermined sequence into a customizable journey. The catalyst for this transformation — along with longer lifespans — isunprecedented access to information and global perspectives. Peopleacross generations are increasingly building global communities thatshare insights, question assumptions and collectively imagine newpossibilities. This connectivity was further amplified by COVID-19, ashared global generational event that simultaneously impacted all. The old early adulthood script — graduate college,land a stable job, marry, buy a house, havechildren, retire at 65 — is being rewritten by ageneration that asks not “When should I?” but“Why should I?” Though everyone’s experienc