The State of Values 2025: Constants in a Changing World
How Stable Values and Dynamic Life Stages Give Us the Blueprint for Human Connection
Welcome to the State of Values Report 2025 — a comprehensive analysis of how core values drive decisions, relationships and professional growth across diverse groups. Discover how values shape the way we work, live and lead.
Letter From The CEO
If you've been paying attention (and I know you have), the world hasn't exactly slowed down since last year's report. Technology is evolving by the hour, and actually faster than that. Industries are transforming. Life stages are shifting. And yet, as I look at the data from this year's State of Values, I'm reminded of Jim Collins' insight from “Good to Great”: The things that don't change in great people, great organizations and even the human race are a commitment to core values and purpose.
At the top of that list? Our care for one another.
The numbers bear it out. Across demographics, backgrounds and life stages, the value list is topped by family, health and happiness. Concern for others consistently ranks high, especially among younger people, which should give us all a little more hope about the future. (Turns out the next generation cares about the right stuff more than they get credit for.)
This year's findings also remind us that values shift with life stage. Our latest research reveals a generation that prioritizes relationships over personal achievement — with profound implications for how organizations attract, develop and retain talent.
— Doug Lennick, think2perform CEO and co-founder
What's Inside
This report's analysis draws on data collected from 47,589 participants in the values card exercise over 18 months — more than three times our 2024 dataset. This expanded scope provides new insights into how values vary across demographics and evolve over time.
We maintained our five value categories to ensure year-over-year consistency:
Personal Growth
Interpersonal Effectiveness
Financial Stability
Care for Others/The World
Care for Self
Explore Value Shifts Across Life Stages
As we move through different life stages, our values shift. Young adults prioritize exploration and connection, mid-career professionals focus on achievement and meaning, and later life brings renewed emphasis on health, spirituality, and legacy-building.
Friendship by Age Group
Friendship by Age Group
Discover Differences Across Genders
Core values are universal, but how we prioritize them often differs by gender. While people of all genders seek stability and growth, they pursue these goals through different strategies. These patterns hold true across industries and career levels, revealing fundamental differences in how we approach achievement.
Top Values by Gender
Top Values by Gender
Learn How Integrity Grows With Leadership
Professional advancement reveals a striking pattern: Integrity climbs steadily with professional advancement. Integrity enters the top five values only at the manager level and above, marking a critical transition point in professional development. This progression suggests that increased organizational responsibility naturally heightens ethical awareness.
Integrity by Career Level
Integrity by Career Level
Core Values Demonstrate Remarkable Stability
Despite tripling our sample size, core human values showed extraordinary stability. Year-over-year changes in values were minimal, providing a foundation for understanding that transcends temporary circumstances.
![[T2P] Stat_Family health and happiness](https://www.think2perform.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/T2P-Stat_Family-health-and-happiness.png "[T2P] Stat_Family health and happiness")
Download The Full Report
Ready to dive deeper into how the relationship-first generation is reshaping workplace priorities? Download the complete State of Values Report 2025, and start transforming your decision-making with data-backed insights.
How Do Your Values Compare?
Take part in the same Values Card Exercise that informed this report. Select your top values, and see how your choices align with trends across industries, genders, and career stages.