Jessica O'ConnorEuropean workers plan to redefine career success for 2026, with higher pay, reduced stress and better work–life balance outweighing traditional ambitions such as promotion or career change, according to research from MyPerfectCV.
The European Career Outlook 2026 report, based on a survey of 1,000 employed adults across the UK, Germany, France, Spain and Italy, found that more than half of workers (53%) cited earning more money as their top priority for the year ahead.
A further 37% wanted to reduce stress, while 34% said they are focused on achieving a better work–life balance, pointing to a shift towards sustainable careers and wellbeing.
The findings suggested growing pressure on employers as expectations around pay, flexibility and mental health support intensify.
Nearly two-thirds of respondents (67%) said they are at least somewhat likely to look for a new job in 2026, with 47% saying they are either very likely or likely to job hunt.
Upskilling also remains high on the agenda, with 77% planning to develop new skills in the coming year.
Technology skills such as artificial intelligence (AI) and coding are the most in-demand, cited by 37%, followed by industry-specific expertise (35%) and communication skills (28%).
However, almost one in four workers said they do not plan to pursue any new training.
Jasmine Escalera, career expert at MyPerfectCV, said: “We’re witnessing what I call The Great Rebalance, a shift away from relentless ambition towards sustainable success.
“Across Europe, workers still want to advance, but not at the expense of their wellbeing. Pay, balance and mental health now define career satisfaction.”
