Study Shows Wide Adoption of Coaching Among Millennials Actively in the Workforce

Findings emerge from International Coaching Federation 2022 Global Consumer Awareness Study

Lexington, Kentucky, USA (February 1, 2022) — Millennials are the generation most likely to be aware of coaching and most likely to have participated in a coaching relationship, according to the findings of a new study commissioned by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). The recent Global Consumer Awareness Study (GCAS) shows 81% of respondents in the millennial age group expressing awareness of coaching compared to 51% in the Greatest Generation. Millennials were also the generation most acknowledging (47%) that they had engaged with a coach, compared to only 15% of the Greatest Generation respondents.

Overall, 73% of respondents to the ICF GCAS expressed awareness of the coaching profession. These data points reflect an upward trend in comparison to ICF’s last such study released in 2017. That study found awareness of coaching at 66% of all respondents. Awareness levels in the latest research varied sharply by labor market positions, with the highest levels among respondents who are currently employed and lowest among respondents who are outside the labor market, including students, retirees and stay-at-home parents.

The 2022 ICF Global Consumer Awareness Study is a follow-up to the organization’s 2010, 2014 and 2017 consumer awareness studies. The study examined adult consumers around the world to ascertain not only awareness, but also understanding of professional coaching. From questions focused on generational differences, to variances in understanding based on region, the 2022 ICF GCAS sheds light on the fast-growing $2.85 billion USD worldwide coaching industry.

The latest study was once again undertaken by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), which conducted each of the prior analyses and constitutes ICF’s largest consumer study to date. Available in 17 languages, the survey yielded 30,727responses from across 30 countries and territories. The minimum age for survey respondents remained 18 to continue learning and support participation from Gen-Z respondents.

“Partnering with PwC to seek out people’s awareness of professional coaching, and the obvious growth of our industry seen through the 7% increase compared to 2017, is very exciting,” said ICF CEO Magdalena Nowicka-Mook. “By documenting trends within the profession, we are equipping our credentialed coaches with what’s needed to succeed. While the data demonstrates that awareness and understanding are increasing, our industry has more work to do to further educate consumers about what coaching is, how to find a coach and making credentialed-coaching cost-effective for the masses.”

Data collection for the study took place online from September 14 to October 7, 2021.

The executive summary of the study is available at https://coachingfederation.org/research/consumer-awareness-study. It is free for ICF Members and $30 USD for non-members. Journalists can request a media copy via the contact information below.

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About the International Coaching Federation

The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is the world’s largest organization leading the global advancement of the coaching profession and fostering coaching’s role as an integral part of a thriving society. Founded in 1995, its 50,000-plus members located in more than 150 countries and territories work toward common goals of enhancing awareness of coaching and upholding the integrity of the profession through lifelong learning and upholding the highest ethical standards. Through the work of its six unique family organizations, ICF empowers professional coaches, coaching clients, organizations, communities and the world through coaching.