New research shows sustained drop in key personality trait, especially among young adults, raising concerns for work, relationships, and health

Conscientiousness — the personality trait linked to reliability, organisation, and a strong sense of duty — has long been associated with higher professional achievement, stronger personal relationships, and even longer lifespans. But fresh evidence suggests this crucial trait is in decline, and the fall is most pronounced among young adults.

Building on a pioneering U.S. study that first identified signs of decline during the pandemic, Financial Times columnist and data journalist John Burn-Murdoch has found that levels of conscientiousness in the population have continued to erode in the years since. The new findings indicate that what began as a temporary shift in behaviours during the COVID-19 crisis has now evolved into a sustained societal trend.

“Conscientiousness is one of the most predictive traits for life outcomes, from career progression to marital stability,” Burn-Murdoch said. “A sustained drop should worry not just psychologists, but policymakers, educators, and employers.”

The erosion is not uniform across all demographics. While declines are visible in multiple age groups, the sharpest drop has occurred among young adults aged 18 to 29. Psychologists speculate this may be linked to the long-term effects of remote schooling, disrupted entry into the workforce, and shifts in cultural attitudes towards work and responsibility.

Dr. Elaine Carter, a behavioural scientist at the University of Michigan, notes that conscientiousness tends to develop through repeated exposure to structured routines, deadlines, and social obligations. “When these were suddenly stripped away during the pandemic, we saw a measurable change in habits,” she said. “The concern is that for younger cohorts, those changes have become the new normal.”

The implications could be far-reaching. Research consistently shows that conscientious individuals are more likely to excel in their careers, maintain stable relationships, and enjoy better physical health. Lower levels of the trait have been linked to increased job turnover, higher divorce rates, and even reduced life expectancy.

Employers have already begun to notice changes in workplace behaviour. Several large companies report greater challenges in enforcing deadlines, lower tolerance for repetitive tasks, and a drop in voluntary compliance with organisational policies. “It’s not just about skill gaps,” said Martin Hughes, head of HR at a major UK-based consultancy. “We’re seeing shifts in work ethic and reliability that are harder to address through training alone.”

Social scientists warn that reversing this trend will require deliberate intervention. Possible solutions range from integrating structured routines and goal-setting into education systems, to designing workplace environments that reinforce accountability and self-discipline.

Burn-Murdoch’s data suggests the decline is not irreversible. Older generations, who maintain relatively high levels of conscientiousness, provide evidence that environmental factors — rather than genetic changes — are driving the trend. “We know conscientiousness can be shaped,” said Dr. Carter. “The challenge is whether society is willing to invest in shaping it for the better.”

For now, the decline of conscientiousness remains a largely overlooked trend, but one with potential consequences for everything from productivity and public health to the stability of personal relationships. As the data makes clear, reversing it could prove as important to the future of societies as any economic or political reform.