Work Is a Universal Value; Most People in the U.S. and Around the World Find Meaning In It

Washington, DC, May 1, 2020 — As millions of workers in America and around the world are being furloughed or laid off due to the coronavirus pandemic, a new Ipsos survey highlights how work is more than just a paycheck for many people. Nine in ten adults surveyed in the United States (94%) and across 28 countries (92%) say that work should be important in someone’s life. Most workers find meaning in their occupation: two thirds of those who are employed say that most of what they do on a typical workday is interesting (67% in the U.S., 70% globally).  

Ipsos’ Global Attitudes Toward Work and Employment survey also sheds light on perceptions about the age until which workers in the U.S. and around the world expect to be employable, and would like, will need, and will be physically able to work. On average, the age up to which working adults surveyed think they will:

• Be able to find work and be considered employable is 49 globally, but 58 in the U.S.;
• Want to continue working before retiring is 57 globally, but 61 in the U.S;
• Need to work before they can retire is 59 globally, but 64 in the U.S.; and
• Be physically and mentally capable of working is 60 globally, but 66 in the U.S.

These findings come from Global Attitudes Toward Work and Employment, a 28-country Global Advisor survey conducted online by Ipsos between February 20 and March 3, 2020 among more than 20,000 adults under the age of 75. The report is released to coincide with International Workers Day, celebrated on May 1st.

Globally, 92% of all adults surveyed (including those who are not currently employed) say that work should be very or somewhat important in someone’s life. Only 8% say it is not very or not at all important.

• The countries where work is most widely viewed as important in life are Colombia and Malaysia (98%), Mexico and Peru (97%), and Argentina (96%).
• This view is shared by 94% in the U.S. – two points above the global average.
• The minority view that work is not important in life is most prevalent in Germany (21%), the Netherlands (19%), and France and Japan (16% each).

Among all working adults surveyed across the 28 countries, 70% say that most of the things they do on a typical workday are very or somewhat interesting while 30% say they are very or somewhat boring.

• The countries where those employed are most likely to find their work interesting are Mexico (87%), Colombia (85%), Chile (84%), Peru (82%), India (80%), Sweden (79%), the Netherlands (78%), France (78%), and Belgium (77%).
• The U.S. ranks close to the global average with 67% of Americans considering what they do at work daily to be interesting.
• The countries where workers are most likely to say their job is boring are Turkey (53%), South Korea (52%), Japan (49%), and Spain (37%).

The age cut-off for workers’ perceived employability varies widely between countries, influenced by when people want to, will need to, or expect to be capable of working.

• Averaging at 49 globally, the maximum age when workers expect to be able to find work and be considered employable ranges:
  • from 41 in Italy, Malaysia and Poland, 43 in Argentina and Brazil, and 44 in Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain and Turkey,
  • to 55 in Germany, 56 in Canada, Great Britain and Sweden, and 58 in the Netherlands and the United States.
• Averaging at 57 globally, the age at which workers hope to retire ranges:
  • from 50 in Malaysia, 52 in Poland and Saudi Arabia, 53 in Brazil and Russia, and 54 in China and Turkey,
  • to 61 in the United States, 62 in Chile, the Netherlands and South Korea, and 63 in Japan.
• Averaging at 59 globally, the age until which workers say they will need to work before they can retire ranges:
  • from 48 in Malaysia, 51 in Saudi Arabia, and 52 in Poland,
  • to 64 in in Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Sweden and the United States, 65 in Australia, and 67 in the Netherlands.
• Averaging at 60, the age until which workers say they will be physically and mentally capable of working ranges:
  • from 44 in Poland, 48 in Malaysia and 50 in Saudi Arabia,
  • to 64 in Australia and Colombia, 65 in Great Britain and the Netherlands, and 66 in Canada, Chile, Sweden and the United States.

About the Study

These are findings from a Global Advisor survey conducted by Ipsos among 20,031 adults aged 18-74 in the United States, Canada, Malaysia, South Africa, and Turkey and 16-74 in 23 other markets, February 20 - March 3, 2020. It was carried out via the Ipsos Online Panel System in 28 markets.

Approximately 1000+ individuals were surveyed in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China (mainland), France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, Sweden, and the U.S. Approximately 500+ individuals were surveyed in Argentina, Belgium, Chile, Colombia, Hungary, India, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, and Turkey.

The samples in Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the U.S. can be taken as representative of these countries’ general adult population under the age of 75.

The samples in Brazil, Chile, China (mainland), Colombia, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Turkey are more urban, more educated, and/or more affluent than the general population. The survey results for these markets should be viewed as reflecting the views of the more “connected” segment of these populations.

The data is weighted so that each market’s sample composition best reflects the demographic profile of the adult population according to the most recent census data.

Where results do not sum to 100 or the ‘difference’ appears to be +/-1 more/less than the actual, this may be due to rounding, multiple responses or the exclusion of don't knows or not stated responses.

The precision of Ipsos online polls are calculated using a credibility interval with a poll of 1,000 accurate to +/- 3.5 percentage points and of 500 accurate to +/- 4.8 percentage points. For more information on the Ipsos use of credibility intervals, please visit the Ipsos website.

The publication of these findings abides by local rules and regulations.

For more information on this news release, please contact:

Nicolas Boyon

Senior Vice President, US

Public Affairs

+1 646 309 4879

[email protected]

Kate Silverstein

Media Relations Specialist, US

Public Affairs

+1 718 755 8829

[email protected]  

About Ipsos

Ipsos is the world’s third largest market research company, present in 90 markets and employing more than 18,000 people.

Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers or employees. We serve more than 5000 clients across the world with 75 business solutions.

Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos is listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1st, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120 and the Mid-60 index and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD).

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