More Than Technical Skills

• Young believers are far more likely to describe work as a "responsibility." Their non-believing peers are more likely to call it a "necessity."
• More than 60% of young believers say their job carries spiritual significance and that their faith shapes how they work.
• 54% of young believers see their workplace as a place to find deeper meaning in their daily work.
• Young believers place relatively greater value on contributing to society than chasing the highest salary.
• Young believers report significantly higher hope (48%) and confidence (47%) about their working life than non-believers (33% and 28%).
• Young believers report lower workplace stress (21% vs. 31%) and less uncertainty about the future (19% vs. 32%) than their non-believing peers.
• Young believers are more likely to be active in civic and volunteer organizations (21% vs. 13%).
• Young believers are more likely to follow public affairs (60% vs. 53%) and to engage in conversations about social issues (52% vs. 42%).
• Young believers are more involved in local community activities (39% vs. 24%) than their non-believing peers.
• 77% of young professionals across the study want their work to make a positive impact on their community.
• Faith functions as a measurable psychological resource, helping young professionals stay resilient and forward-looking even in uncertain labor markets.
• Across nine countries and nearly 9,000 respondents, religious commitment consistently correlates with a stronger sense of responsibility, greater civic engagement, and a more hopeful outlook.

Source: Footprints Research Project, Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, with GAD3. International survey of 9,018 young adults ages 18-29 in Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Kenya, the Philippines, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina, conducted in early 2026. As reported by ZENIT, April 27, 2026.