The Economist · 11 Oct, 15:27 · Finance briefing

Don’t feel sorry for millennials. They are living it up now

The Economist argues against narratives portraying millennials as financially struggling, highlighting their current economic advantages.

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The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

The Economist argues against narratives portraying millennials as financially struggling, highlighting their current economic advantages. The report notes that this generation benefits from lower unemployment rates and rising asset values, particularly in housing and equities. Contrary to popular belief, many millennials are experiencing significant wealth accumulation and job security. This shift challenges traditional views on generational economic hardship, suggesting that millennials are better positioned financially than previously assumed. The analysis underscores the changing dynamics of the labour market and wealth distribution, indicating a period of relative prosperity for this demographic group.

Employer demand for Financial Modeling skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

You must adapt your strategy to this shifting economic landscape. As millennials gain wealth, demand for sophisticated financial planning and investment advisory services surges. You should focus on mastering Financial Modeling and Risk Management Strategies to serve this affluent demographic effectively. Professionals in advisory roles must understand the specific investment behaviours of this generation. If you are a millennial yourself, leverage your growing equity to negotiate better terms or invest in upskilling. Prioritise continuous learning in high-value areas like AI Strategy to maintain competitive advantage. Do not assume economic stagnation; instead, capitalise on the current boom by enhancing your technical and analytical capabilities. Your career trajectory depends on aligning with the financial empowerment of the dominant working cohort.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Financial Modeling, Risk Management Strategies, AI Strategy and Business And Management — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

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