Life in the UK 2024

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.

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.

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