Study: Less Than One Third of Employees Are ‘Actively Engaged’

The share of U.S. employees who were “actively engaged” in their work averaged 31% in 2025, unchanged from 2024, a Gallup survey finds. Employee engagement has fallen since its peak in 2020, when it reached 36%.

Between 2020 and 2025, engagement dropped most among younger employees. The percentage of Generation Z and younger millennial workers who reported feeling engaged in their jobs fell by eight points, while engagement among older millennials slid by nine points. 

Among members of Generation X, engagement in their work declined by six points. Among baby boomer employees, engagement hasn’t changed since 2020. 

Generation Z and young millennial employees were 13 points less likely in 2025 (41%) than in 2020 (54%) to strongly agree: “My supervisor, or someone at work, seems to care about me as a person.” Their agreement with the statement, “This last year, I have had opportunities at work to learn and grow,” fell by 11 points, to 37%, from 48% in 2020.

Among all employees Gallup surveyed, clarity about what is expected of them at work and feeling cared about saw the sharpest declines since 2020, of nine and eight points, respectively. 

Some 35% of respondents said better communication is the main factor that would help them better understand what’s expected of them at work. Smaller percentages said direction from leadership (7%), additional development (6%), or recognition and culture (5%) would help them better understand those expectations.

To feel more cared about at work, 34% said supportive relationships, communication and respect would help, while 23% mentioned pay, benefits and security.