Life satisfaction among young people aged 16 to 24 in England has significantly declined over the past decade, according to recent analysis by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR). The research, based on data from the UK Household Longitudinal Survey, shows that fewer than half of young people in this age group report being satisfied with their lives, a steep drop from nearly two-thirds in 2010.

The IPPR study highlights that in 2010, 62% of 16 to 24-year-olds in England felt satisfied with their lives, but this figure has fallen to 44% in the most recent data covering 2023 to 2025. The decline is even more pronounced in the country’s most deprived areas, where satisfaction rates have plummeted from approximately 56% to just over 34%.

Youth unemployment and disengagement from education and training have emerged as key factors influencing this trend. Earlier this year, a government advisory report described the situation as a risk of creating “a lost generation,” with nearly one in seven young people in the UK classified as “NEET” (not in employment, education, or training). Former health secretary Alan Milburn, who contributed to the report, characterized the challenge as a “generational fault line.”

Conor Carleton, IPPR’s expert on children and young people, noted that feelings of safety, support, and connection to community are dwindling among young people. He emphasized that fewer young people feel able to enjoy their youth due to increasing pressures and isolation compared to a decade ago. “Life satisfaction and belonging have fallen off a cliff,” Carleton said, urging policymakers to prioritize fostering a sense of belonging through supportive environments, such as schools, youth clubs, sports, and arts programs.

The IPPR’s findings are based on a longitudinal study involving about 40,000 UK households, tracking some 100,000 individuals annually to monitor changes in their wellbeing, attitudes, and economic circumstances over time.

Lynn Perry, from the children’s charity Barnardo’s, called the results concerning and suggested they warrant urgent attention. The data collectively point to widening challenges faced by young people in England, highlighting the need for comprehensive strategies to address their wellbeing and social inclusion as they transition to adulthood.