Only 29 per cent Indians satisfied with current pay levels: Report

Only 29 per cent of Indian employees are satisfied with their current pay levels while a large majority are planning to seek salary hikes over the next 12 months amid rising costofliving concerns according to a survey report by the Association of Chartered Certified AccountantsThe report stated that the cost of living continues to remain one of the top workrelated concerns globally in 2026 and is the second biggest concern among Indian employees after fears around jobs being replaced by technologyAccording to the report 81 per cent of respondents in India plan to ask their employers for a pay raise in the next 12 monthsIt stated Both globally and in India the proportion of those seeking to ask for a pay rise has risen since 2025 with 81 per cent of respondents in India planning to ask their employer for a pay rise in the next 12 months higher than the 67 per cent in 2025 and the 2026 global average 62 per centThe findings reflect increasing pressure on employers as inflation and higher living costs continue to impact household budgets across the countryThe survey report noted that only 29 per cent of Indian respondents said they were satisfied with their current salary levels compared to the global average of 36 per centAmong different age groups Millennials showed the strongest intention to seek pay hikes with 90 per cent planning to ask for salary increases over the next yearThis was higher compared to Gen Z at 77 per cent and Gen X at 75 per centThe report also highlighted that salary expectations among Indian employees remain significantly higher than global averagesAround 68 per cent of Indian respondents expect a salary increase of more than 10 per cent compared to 37 per cent globallyAmong employees expecting hikes above 10 per cent Gen X workers showed the highest expectations at 76 per cent followed by Gen Z at 60 per cent and Millennials at 55 per centAccording to the report compensation continues to remain the most important factor for employees especially among younger professionals who are focused on higher takehome payHowever midcareer professionals are increasingly placing equal importance on remuneration and meaningful workThe report said employers are increasingly facing pressure to balance rising salary expectations with profitability and retention strategiesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever