Job security more important than job change

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The willingness of employees in Germany to change jobs is slightly decreasing, while job security is coming to the forefront. This is shown by the Xing job mobility study 2026: Between 58 and 75 percent of respondents consider a secure job to be an important criterion – across all generations. Younger employees are still more open to changing jobs, but they are acting more cautiously than one or two years ago. Xing labor market expert Julian Stahl attributes the development to the ongoing economic downturn, technological upheavals, and geopolitical tensions.

Younger people willing to change, but more cautious

Generation Z remains the most eager to change: 44 percent can imagine changing jobs. At the same time, 73 percent name a long-term secure job as important. 70 percent would prefer more leisure time over a higher salary. As career advancement opportunities are becoming scarcer in many companies, many young people make situational decisions and move to places where they see development opportunities.

Millennials are also above-average willing to change, but the proportion is decreasing from 47 percent in 2024 to 40 percent now. The most common reasons for changing jobs are: lack of career advancement opportunities (47 percent) and too low a salary (44 percent). Individual factors rarely tip the scales – it is usually the combination of compensation, prospects, and predictability.

Older people focus on stability, leadership, and meaning

Among Generation X, the tendency to change jobs is significantly lower. However, workload plays a greater role: 41 percent name excessive stress levels as the main reason for wanting to leave their employer. Job security reaches the highest value of all generations here at 75 percent. Good leadership and realistic workloads are also among the central expectations.

Baby Boomers, as the oldest generation in the workforce, change jobs the least – only 17 percent consider it. When they do, they do so purposefully. The desire for meaningful work has gained significant weight: 65 percent attach great importance to this point, a noticeable increase from 51 percent in the previous year.

Common expectations, different priorities

Despite all differences, common patterns emerge across generations: a secure job, reliable framework conditions, and good leadership are at the top of the list for the majority of employees. However, the specific priorities shift with life phases – from career and flexibility for younger people to stability and meaning for older people.

The study is based on a survey of 3,418 employees subject to social security contributions in Germany conducted by forsa between December 2025 and January 2026. The survey has been running as a long-term study since 2012. Details on the results can be found in a blog post by Xing.

(fo)