Life satisfaction among young people in England has declined significantly over the past decade, according to a new analysis by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR). The proportion of 16- to 24-year-olds reporting that they are satisfied with their lives has dropped from 62% in 2010 to 44% in recent years. The decrease is even more pronounced among those living in the country’s most deprived areas, where life satisfaction has fallen from nearly 56% to just over 34%.

The IPPR’s findings are based on data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS) covering the period from 2010-12 through to 2023-25. The research suggests that growing up in England has become increasingly pressured, isolating, and less enjoyable, with young people feeling less safe, supported, or connected to their communities than a decade ago.

Youth unemployment remains a critical concern for this age group. Earlier this year, a government adviser warned that high levels of young people not engaged in employment, education, or training—often referred to as "Neets"—pose the risk of creating a "lost generation." A May interim report highlighted what it described as a "whole system failure," with nearly one in seven young people in the UK falling into this category. Former health secretary Alan Milburn, who contributed to the report, emphasized that there is no single cause for this issue. Instead, factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the influence of smartphones, insufficient preparation for the workforce after leaving school, and a challenging jobs market have all contributed.

Conor Carleton, IPPR’s children and young people expert, described the decline in life satisfaction and feelings of belonging as a profound shift rather than a temporary setback. He noted that fewer young people feel they have trusted support systems or safe spaces to rely on, which undermines their ability to enjoy youth. Carleton urged policymakers to prioritize fostering a sense of belonging in their strategies for children and young adults, recommending investments in schools’ cultural environments, youth clubs, sports, arts, and other communal spaces that enable young people to build relationships and find enjoyment.

The analysis and expert commentary underscore growing concerns about the well-being of young people in England, highlighting the complexity of social, economic, and technological challenges they face today.