Carnegie UK’s Life in the UK index measures collective wellbeing across the UK. It is based on what people in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland tell us about their lives.
The purpose of the index is to help governments across the UK focus their attention on the things that really matter to people, and to help us understand whether we are collectively living better or worse over time.
Key findings
Most people in the UK believe they have no influence over local or national decision-making. At Carnegie UK, we believe that action to address this problem is the Labour government’s “missing mission”.
This year’s findings show that collective wellbeing in the UK is stagnant, with no significant difference in overall wellbeing scores to the same study conducted in 2023.
The UK Government should put measures of wellbeing at the centre of its missions-based approach to government.
Project summary
The Life in the UK index now provides two years of robust evidence about what life is like for people across the country. Out of a possible score of 100, the UK’s collective wellbeing in 2024 was just 61. This number is unchanged since our inaugural publication of this index in 2023.
This year’s index findings tell us that the collective wellbeing of people in the UK is stagnant. This stasis in living standards is driven by persistent and entrenched inequality across the four core domains of social, economic, environmental and democratic wellbeing. It is of particular note, and significant concern, that in this landmark year for democracy, with a UK general election and a quarter century of devolution in Scotland and Wales, it is our democratic wellbeing that once again attracts the lowest scores.
In nearly all areas that we measured, income inequality is the single biggest driver of poor wellbeing via its influence on issues such as housing tenure, household income and area deprivation. Our data also highlights the importance of key factors such as age, disability, ethnicity, gender, and having children as all having a notable impact on people’s wellbeing score.
Despite these worrying insights, there is cause for hope. A new UK government with a significant majority in Parliament and an ambitious policy agenda represents an opportunity to grapple with the multiple, complex and systemic challenges facing people in their day-to-day lives.
The collective wellbeing scores in this report provide a baseline for ministers to build on if they want to realise their ambition of bringing about a decade of national renewal. This must start with an improved approach to measuring what really matters to people. It must also include a commitment to focus on renewing our democracy, given the persistent crisis in democratic wellbeing, and a different approach to governing, with a shift towards de-centralisation of decision making and the empowerment of communities.
We want to see the new UK Government and the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland build on this evidence as they seek to deliver meaningful reform and improvement in communities across the country.
Partners
Want to find out more?
Our key contacts for this programme are Susan and Hannah.
Susan is head of research and insights. Susan is responsible for managing Carnegie UK’s research function and research outputs.
Susan has worked in social and market research for over 25 years in research agencies, predominantly working for the UK and Scottish Governments and was head of research at both the Charities Aid Foundation and the UK’s Publishers Association. Susan’s skills span quantitative and qualitative techniques.
Hannah is a senior policy advocate at Carnegie UK. Hannah manages our Life in the UK programme of work, and our partnership with the Poverty Truth Network.
Hannah is interested in people, their lives, and stories. Hannah holds an MSc in Social Research and an MA in Social Anthropology. Hannah is a trustee of includem, a charity that provides support to children, young people and their families.
Make an enquiry
"*" indicates required fields
Help us make the case for wellbeing policy
Keep in touch with Carnegie UK’s research and activities. Learn more about ways to get involved with our work.
"*" indicates required fields