India, Chennai, 08th October, 2025: A lack of career growth opportunities is the most commonly cited barrier to career advancement globally, according to the sixth chapter of ADP’s the “People at Work 2025” report series.
Based on survey data from nearly 38,000 workers across 34 markets, about one in five workers (19%) say limited opportunities are preventing them from progressing in their careers, followed by a lack of desire to move ahead (13%) and limited time (12%). In contrast, less frequently mentioned obstacles include fear (5%) and lack of education (5%), suggesting that motivation and visibility outweigh skills gaps as barriers to growth.
In India, 17% of employees identify self-motivation as the biggest barrier to their career growth, the highest among all surveyed nations. At the same time, nearly one in four employees (24%) say they would need to change employers to progress in their careers – the highest in APAC and second only to Egypt worldwide.
Rahul Goyal, Managing Director of ADP India and Southeast Asia, said: “It is telling that employees in India see self-motivation as the biggest barrier to career growth. This underscores the urgent need for organisations to not only offer opportunities but also actively build their employees’ confidence, motivation, and sense of purpose.”
“Employers in India have a dual responsibility – to enhance support systems that foster motivation and to establish clearer career pathways. When businesses empower their employees with both inspiration and opportunities, they create sustainable growth for both individuals and organizations.”
Generational and Demographic Differences
The perception of career barriers varies by age. More than 20% of workers aged 40 and above report that the lack of opportunity is their biggest barrier, compared to just 14% of those aged 26 and below.
The data also shows differences by job level. Around 16% of executives and upper managers cited the lack of opportunity as a career advancement barrier. This rises to 18% among middle and frontline managers, and 20% among individual contributors.
Among workers who identify as a racial or ethnic minority in their market, 16% report a lack of opportunity as a main barrier, slightly lower than the 20% of non-minority workers who say the same.
Career Stagnation Drives Turnover Risk
Career stagnation appears to be a strong trigger for job hunting. Among workers who perceive few growth opportunities at their current job, over a third (34%) are actively looking or interviewing for a new job.
Additionally, those who feel strongly that they need to change employers to progress are 2.6 times less likely to consider themselves highly productive. Globally, 15% of workers believe switching employers is essential to their career progression. In India, that figure stands at 24%.
What Keeps Employees Loyal?
Among employees who say they see a future with their current employer, the top reasons are:
- Opportunity for career advancement (45%)
- Professional training and skills development (36%)
- Flexibility in scheduling (34%)
In India, the reasons are:
- Opportunities for career advancement (35%)
- Pay for performance (e.g. bonuses) (34%)
- Professional training and skills development (33%)
“The workplace impact of limited career visibility isn’t just employee disengagement – it’s lost productivity, diminished innovation, and higher turnover,” said Nela Richardson, Chief Economist at ADP. “Organisations that design clear, equitable career paths don’t just retain talent – they also increase their ability to unlock the full productive potential of their employees.”