A recent survey by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) has revealed that a mere 29% of employees in India are satisfied with their current salary packets. The findings indicate that a vast majority of workers are gearing up for the annual ritual of requesting a pay hike, as rising living costs continue to erode their take-home pay.
Cost of living concerns
The report highlights that the cost of living remains one of the top work-related concerns globally in 2026. In India, it ranks as the second biggest concern, following the fear of jobs being replaced by technology. The survey found that 81% of respondents in India are planning to ask their employers for a salary increase over the next year.
According to the report, "Both globally and in India, the proportion of those seeking to ask for a pay rise has risen since 2025 - with 81% of respondents in India planning to ask their employer for a pay rise in the next 12 months, higher than the 67% in 2025 and the 2026 global average (62%)."
Pressure on employers
The findings point to rising pressure on employers as inflation and higher living costs continue to affect household budgets across the country. Only 29% of Indian respondents said they were satisfied with their current pay, compared with the global average of 36%.
Age-wise trends
Age-wise trends show that Millennials are the most likely to seek pay increases, with 90% planning to request a raise in the next 12 months. This compares with 77% among Gen Z and 75% among Gen X.
The report also noted that salary expectations in India remain significantly higher than global levels. Around 68% of Indian respondents expect a pay rise of more than 10%, against 37% globally. Among those expecting increases above 10%, Gen X workers recorded the highest expectations at 76%, followed by Gen Z at 60% and Millennials at 55%.
Compensation and meaningful work
Compensation continues to be the most important factor for employees, particularly among younger professionals who are prioritising higher take-home pay. However, the report also found that mid-career professionals are giving equal importance to pay and meaningful work. Overall, employers are facing growing pressure to balance rising salary expectations with profitability and employee retention strategies.
