Get the full picture.

Download our full global or US report to understand different perspectives on opportunity.

Watch global experts discuss trends and perspectives in Singapore, Australia and Japan.

How the world fared.

The future looks bright for developing economies.
It’s natural to think that people in developed countries would be more confident about the future, right? Globally, our data actually shows that people in developed countries may believe their countries’ economic growth has plateaued. People in developing countries, on the other hand, are more optimistic about the future.

Top countries on this year’s index

Developed countries experienced a perceived drop-off in generational opportunity.
In North America, people in the United States and Canada feel that their quality of life has dropped in comparison to that of their parents. This trend continues across other developed economies, like those in Italy, France, and Spain.

High highs and low lows in the Asia Pacific region.
The economies of Asia both lead and lag in comparison to the rest of the world. In developing economies like those of India and Indonesia, respondents are more optimistic than those in the mature economies of Japan and Australia.

Japan ranked last on our Opportunity Index list with an Index score of 80. 

The biggest barriers to opportunity.

Age is more than just a number.
Even though we’ve come to embrace a multigenerational workforce, age still holds people back. And this is felt on both ends of the age spectrum. A full 43% of boomers and 27% of Gen X workers feel that opportunities are out of reach because of age.

Changing financial status is no easy feat.
From increasing student debt obligations to rising healthcare costs and beyond, people across the world feel burdened by their financial statuses. And for good reason: to start a business or find a better work-life balance, many people are facing steep barriers preventing them from building a brighter future.  

Never underestimate a strong network.
It’s no surprise that knowing the right people can lead to more, and better, opportunities. But for those without a strong network, it’s not easy to begin the networking journey. Even though most people know strong networks are important, only 22% are actively seeking networking opportunities.

of respondents cite a strong network as a key way to get ahead.

Which opportunities are the most important?

Job-related opportunities lead the way.
A fundamental shift has been unfolding in the workplace over the past decade. For modern workers, things like growth potential and pursuing passions are what attract them to jobs – and help keep them around long term.

The five most important opportunities to job seekers

Striking a balance between work and play.
We all have lives outside of work. Whether that means spending time raising children or socializing with friends, job seekers don’t want to be “always on.” This is most prevalent in North America, where respondents rated social time as being 4% more important than in other regions.

Being part of a learning culture.
Keeping up with technological advances is top of mind for today’s workforce. As job seekers evaluate new jobs, they’re seeking to future-proof their skill sets by working at companies that prioritize learning.

of respondents feel that embracing learning opportunities helps prepare them for the future.