In a striking paradox that could define the next chapter of India’s workforce narrative, a new global report by ManpowerGroup reveals that Indian workers are the most confident in the world — yet among the least satisfied. According to the Global Talent Barometer 2025, a massive 93% of Indian workers feel confident in their skills and ability to perform their roles, but only 65% report job satisfaction, raising serious concerns for business leaders and policymakers.
India, a country that has emerged as a global talent powerhouse, now faces a more nuanced challenge: retaining a confident but restless workforce.
“India’s workforce is brimming with potential… but that confidence isn’t translating into satisfaction,” said Sandeep Gulati, Managing Director, ManpowerGroup India and Middle East. “Development, growth, and well-being can’t be afterthoughts.”
The report, based on responses from over 1,000 Indian workers between March and April 2025, paints a vivid picture of a workforce that is technologically equipped, mentally prepared, but emotionally undernourished. While 93% say their work is meaningful and aligned with their values, 60% experience daily stress — on par with the global average. The disconnect is especially stark among Gen Z, who report the lowest job satisfaction (29%) and the highest stress (66%), despite being digital natives and the most adaptive generation to AI.
Frontline and blue-collar workers are feeling the heat too. A staggering 81% of frontline workers report high daily stress, with 100% saying they find meaning in their work — but without adequate support or career development, purpose alone isn’t enough.
India’s leading global score in confidence (93%) stems from 97% of workers feeling skilled, and 94% comfortable with the latest tech, including AI. Yet, only 54% feel secure in their jobs for the next six months, reflecting anxiety amid automation, restructuring, and economic volatility. The irony: confidence isn’t keeping workers in their seats. With only 38% saying they’re unlikely to leave voluntarily, businesses are staring down a potential mass exodus of talent, driven by burnout, instability, and a lack of upward mobility.
There is still trust in leadership — 89% believe their managers have their backs — but that may not be enough. With 81% of managers themselves fearing job loss in the next six months, employees are caught in a chain of uncertainty, where even mentors are unsure of their own future.
The cost of inaction is steep. $18,591 per employee — that’s what each turnover is now costing companies. With job satisfaction stagnating and stress peaking, organizations that fail to invest in their people may soon find themselves outpaced by those who do. Hybrid workers and employees in Energy & Utilities report the highest levels of confidence and opportunity, signaling a clear correlation between development investment and employee retention.
As India hurtles forward in its digital and economic transformation, the message from its workers is crystal clear: “Empower us — or we’ll find someone who will.”
The report isn’t just a data dump. It’s a wake-up call. One that urges Indian employers to rethink the workplace — not as a place of performance alone, but of growth, support, and well-being. India leads the world in confidence.