Measures of National Wellbeing dashboard

Life satisfaction

No change

Since: Q3 2023

Approximately 1 in 20 UK adults reported low satisfaction with their lives in July to September 2024

Of UK adults, 4.7% rated their life satisfaction as low in July to September 2024. This shows no short-term change (5.3% in July to September 2023) and no long-term change (4.8% in July to September 2019).

Source: Annual Population Survey from the Office for National Statistics

Feeling things done in life are worthwhile

No change

Since: Q3 2023

Approximately 1 in 25 UK adults reported low levels of feeling the things they do in life are worthwhile in July to September 2024

Of UK adults, 3.6% gave a rating of “low” when asked how worthwhile they feel the things they do in life are, in July to September 2024. This shows no short-term change (4.0% in July to September 2023) or long-term change (3.9% in July to September 2019).

Source: Annual Population Survey from the Office for National Statistics

Happiness

No change

Since: Q3 2023

The percentage of UK adults reporting low happiness yesterday has remained stable over the last year

Of UK adults, 7.7% rated their happiness the previous day as low, when asked in July to September 2024. This shows no short-term change (8.5% in July to September 2023) or long-term change (8.2% in July to September 2019).

Source: Annual Population Survey from the Office for National Statistics

Feeling anxious

No change

Since: Q3 2023

More adults in the UK reported feeling high anxiety yesterday in July to September 2024, than July to September 2019.

Of UK adults, 22.5% rated their anxiety the previous day as high, when asked in July to September 2024. This shows no short-term change (21.5% in July to September 2023), but a long-term negative change (20.4% in July to September 2019).

Source: Annual Population Survey from the Office for National Statistics

Hope for the future

No change

Since: Dec 2023 to Jan 2024

Approximately two-thirds of adults in Great Britain tend to feel hopeful about their future

Of adults in Great Britain, 66.5% said they tend to feel hopeful about their future, when asked in December 2024 to January 2025. This shows no short-term change (67.8% in December 2023 to January 2024). Long-term change is not assessed because data for these comparisons are not available.

Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey from the Office for National Statistics

Fair treatment

Negative change

Since: Dec 2023 to Jan 2024

Approximately 1 in 5 adults in Great Britain feel very or somewhat unfairly treated by society

Of adults in Great Britain, 19.2% said they feel very or somewhat unfairly treated by society, when asked in December 2024 to January 2025. This shows short-term negative change (12.6% in December 2023 to January 2024). Long-term change is not assessed because data for these comparisons are not available.

Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey from the Office for National Statistics

Our relationships

People's relationships can affect their well-being outcomes, including quality of life and happiness. Measures in this topic area cover the presence and quality of relationships people may have with family, friends, and the community around them.

Unhappy partner relationships

Negative change

Since: 2019 to 2020

Around 1 in 20 UK adults reported being fairly or extremely unhappy with their relationships in 2021 to 2022

Of UK adults, 5.6% reported they were fairly or extremely unhappy in their relationships in 2021 to 2022. This shows both a short-term negative change (4.4% in 2019 to 2020) and a long-term negative change (4.0% in 2017 to 2018).

Source: Understanding Society, UK Household Longitudinal Study

Satisfaction with social relationships

No change

Since: Sept to Oct 2023

Approximately 6 in 7 adults in Great Britain are fairly or very satisfied with their social relationships

Of adults in Great Britain, 85.6% said that they were fairly or very satisfied with their social relationships (friends, family, neighbours, and other people they know), when asked in September 2024. This shows no short-term change (85.4% in September to October 2023). Long-term change is not assessed because data for these comparisons are not available.

Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey from the Office for National Statistics

People to rely on

No change

Since: Nov-23

Roughly 9 in 10 adults in Great Britain feel they have people in their lives to rely on if they have a serious problem

Of adults in Great Britain, 86.0% agreed or strongly agreed that they have people they can rely on in their lives if they have a serious problem, when asked in December 2024 to January 2025. This shows no short-term change (85.9% in November 2023). Long-term change is not assessed because data for these comparisons are not available.

Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey from the Office for National Statistics

Loneliness

No change

Since: Dec 2023 to Jan 2024

Approximately 1 in 13 adults in Great Britain feel lonely often or always

Of adults in Great Britain, 7.7% reported feeling lonely often or always, when asked in December 2024 to January 2025. This shows no short-term change (6.9% in December to January 2023). Long-term change is not assessed because data for these comparisons are not available.

Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey from the Office for National Statistics

Local community integration

No change

Since: Aug to Sept 2023

Roughly half of adults in Great Britain agree or strongly agree that people from different backgrounds get on well together in their local area

Of adults in Great Britain, 54.5% agreed or strongly agreed that people from different backgrounds get on well together in their local area, when asked in September 2024. This shows no short-term change (52.7% in August to September 2023). Long-term change is not assessed because data for these comparisons are not available.

Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey from the Office for National Statistics

Trust in others

No change

Since: Nov-23

Approximately two-thirds of adults in Great Britain said that in general they trust most other people

Of adults in Great Britain, 65.7% reported that in general, they trust most other people, when asked in December 2024 to January 2025. This shows no short-term change (65.9% in November 2023). Long-term change is not assessed because data for these comparisons are not available.

Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey from the Office for National Statistics

Health

Physical and mental health are important parts of people’s personal well-being. Measures in this topic area cover both objective and subjective measures of health. They also cover satisfaction with the healthcare system to capture how the nation’s health is supported.

Healthy life expectancy

Change not assessed

Healthy life expectancy at birth has decreased for both males and females in England in 2021 to 2023 compared with 2011 to 2013, when the time series began

In England, healthy life expectancy at birth was estimated at 61.5 years for males and 61.9 years for females in 2021 to 2023. This shows a long-term negative change since 2016 to 2018 for both males (63.3 years) and females (64.1 years). Short-term change is not assessed as estimates are based on overlapping three-year time periods.

Source: Health State Life Expectancies from the Office for National Statistics

Satisfaction with health

No change

Since: Sept to Oct 2023

Approximately two-thirds of adults in Great Britain are fairly or very satisfied with their health

Of adults in Great Britain, 67.1% said that they were fairly or very satisfied with their health in general, when asked in September 2024. This shows no short-term change (66.9% in September to October 2023). Long-term change is not assessed because data for these comparisons are not avaialable.

Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey from the Office for National Statistics

Physical health conditions

Positive change

Since: 2020

Fewer adults reported living with certain physical health conditions

In England, the Health Index score for people reporting having cancer, cardiovascular conditions, dementia, diabetes, kidney and liver disease, chronic musculoskeletal or respiratory conditions was 101.2 in 2021. This shows a short-term positive change (Health Index score was 100.0 in 2020). Long-term change is not assessed because data for these comparisons are not available.

Source: Health Index score from the Office for National Statistics

Depression or anxiety

No change

Since: 2020 to 2021

The percent of adults in the UK reporting some evidence of depression or anxiety has increased in the long term

Of UK adults, 22.6% reported some evidence of depression or anxiety in 2022 to 2023. This shows no short-term change (23.7% in 2020 to 2021) but a long-term negative change (19.7% in 2017 to 2018).

Source: Understanding Society, UK Household Longitudinal Study

Satisfaction with healthcare system

Change not assessed

Around half of adults in Great Britain tend to be satisfied with the healthcare system in the UK

Of adults in Great Britain, 47.4% said they tend to be satisfied with the healthcare system in the UK, when asked in September 2024. Short and long-term change are not assessed because data for these comparisons are not available

Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey from the Office for National Statistics

What we do

Participation in, satisfaction with, and balance between work and leisure activities represent people’s lifestyle choices. Measures in this topic area cover subjective and objective measures related to work, leisure and volunteering.

Satisfaction with time use

No change

Since: Sept to Oct 2023

Approximately 6 in 10 adults in Great Britain are fairly or very satisfied with how they spend their time in a typical week

Of adults in Great Britain, 60.5% said that they were fairly or very satisfied with how they spend their time in a typical week, when asked in September 2024. This shows no short-term change (59.6% in September to October 2023). Long-term change is not assessed because data for these comparisons are not available.

Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey from the Office for National Statistics

Satisfaction with main job

No change

Since: Sept to Oct 2023

Just under 7 in 10 adults in Great Britain are fairly or very satisfied with their main job

Of adults in Great Britain, 69.0% said that they were fairly or very satisfied with their main job in September 2024. This shows no short-term change (69.6% in September to October 2023). Long-term change is not assessed because data for these comparisons are not available.

Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey from the Office for National Statistics

Time spent on unpaid work

Change not assessed

Women spent 57 minutes more per day (on average) doing unpaid work than men in March 2024

Men and women in the UK spent an average of 155.2 and 212.1 minutes doing unpaid work per day, respectively, in March 2024. Change over time is presented but not assessed in terms of short-term or long-term change, based on guidance from the data owner.

Source: Online Time Use Survey from the Office for National Statistics

Volunteering

No change

Since: Nov-23

Roughly 1 in 4 adults in Great Britain said that they had volunteered in the last 12 months

Of adults in Great Britain, 37.5% reported that they gave unpaid help to clubs, groups, charities or organisations in the previous 12 months, when asked in December 2024 to January 2025. This shows no short-term change (36.0% in November 2023). Long-term change is not assessed because data for these comparisons are not available.

Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey from the Office for National Statistics

Engagement with arts and culture

No change

Since: May to June 2023

Approximately 9 in 10 adults in England have engaged with the arts in the last 12 months

Of adults in England, 89.5% said they had engaged with the arts in person (attended an event or participated in an activity), in the last 12 months, when asked in April to June 2024. This shows no change in the short term (89.7% in May to June 2023). Long-term change is not assessed as data are not available.

Source: Participation Survey from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Sports participation

No change

Since: Nov 2021 to Nov 2022

The percentage of active adults in England has remained stable in the last year

Of adults in England, 63.4% reported participating in "moderate plus intensity" sport and/or physical activity for an average of at least 150 minutes a week in November 2022 to November 2023. This shows no short-term change (63.1% in November 2021 to November 2022) but a long-term positive change (62.7% in November 2017 to November 2018).

Source: Active Lives Survey from Sport England

Visits to nature

No change

Since: Jun-23

Just under 7 in 10 adults in England had visited green spaces in the past 14 days in June 2024

Of adults in England, 68.5% said they had visited green and natural spaces in their free time in the past 14 days, when asked in June 2024. This shows no short-term change (71.1% in June 2023). Long-term change is not assessed because data for these comparisons are not available.

Source: People and Nature Survey from Natural England

Where we live

Where people live, the quality of their local area and their community, and how they feel about it can affect personal well-being. Measures in this topic area cover housing, the local environment, access to facilities, and being part of a cohesive community.

Satisfaction with accommodation

No change

Since: Sept to Oct 2023

Around 9 in 10 adults in Great Britain are fairly or very satisfied with their accommodation

Of adults in Great Britain, 86.5% said that they were fairly or very satisfied with their accommodation, when asked in September 2024. This shows no short-term change (85.1% in September to October 2023). Long-term change is not assessed because data for these comparisons are not available.

Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey from the Office for National Statistics

Satisfaction with local area

No change

Since: Sept to Oct 2023

Around 8 in 10 adults in Great Britain are fairly or very satisfied with their local area as a place to live

Of adults in Great Britain, 77.9% said that they were fairly or very satisfied with their local area as a place to live, when asked in September 2024. This shows no short-term change (79.2% in September to October 2023). Long-term change is not assessed because data for these comparisons are not available.

Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey from the Office for National Statistics

Belonging to neighbourhood

No change

Since: Nov-23

Approximately half of adults in Great Britain agreed or strongly agreed that they belong to their neighbourhood

Of adults in Great Britain, 54.7% agreed or strongly agreed that they felt like they belonged to their neighbourhood, when asked in December 2024 to January 2025. This shows no short-term change (54.0% in November 2023). Long-term change is not assessed because data for these comparisons are not available.

Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey from the Office for National Statistics

Digital exclusion

Positive change

Since: 2023

The percentage of UK adults who do not have access to the internet at home has been generally decreasing since 2012

Of UK adults, 5.1% said they do not have access to the internet at home, when asked in 2024. This shows both a short-term positive change (7.1% in 2023) and a long-term positive change (12.6% in 2019).

Source: Technology Tracker from the Office of Communications

Crime

No change

Since: Apr 2022 to Mar 2023

Incidence rates of personal crime in England and Wales remain the lowest they have been since 2011

Of adults in England and Wales, an estimated average of 42.2 personal crimes were committed per 1,000 adults in the year ending March 2024. This shows no short-term change (36.4 personal crimes per 1,000 adults in the year ending 2023). However, it shows a long-term positive change compared with the year ending March 2019 (58.1 personal crimes per 1,000 adults).

Source: Crime Survey for England and Wales from the Office for National Statistics

Feeling safe

No change

Since: Apr 2022 to Mar 2023

A higher percentage of men in England and Wales reported feeling safe walking alone after dark in their local area compared with women

Of adults in England and Wales, 89.2% of men and 69.6% of women reported feeling fairly or very safe walking alone in their local area after dark, when asked in the year ending March 2024. This shows no short-term change among men (89.7% in the year ending March 2023) or women (69.0% in the year ending March 2023). This also shows no long-term change among men (88.4% in the year ending March 2019) or women (68.8% in the year ending March 2019).

Source: Crime Survey for England and Wales from the Office for National Statistics

Personal finance

How households and individuals are managing financially influences many aspects of their lives. Measures in this topic area cover household income and wealth, poverty and financial inequalities, and people’s opinions about their own financial situations.

Median household income

Change not assessed

Median household disposable income in the UK was £34,462 in the financial year ending (FYE) 2023, a decrease of approximately 2.5% from FYE 2022

In the UK, the median equivalised disposable income per household was estimated at £34,462 in the financial year ending (FYE) 2023. Change over time is presented but not assessed in terms of short-term or long-term change, based on guidance from the data owner.

Source: Household Finances Survey from the Office for National Statistics

Median household wealth

Change not assessed

Median household wealth was estimated to be £293,700 in the latest period (April 2020 to March 2022)

In Great Britain, the median household total wealth, including private pension wealth, was estimated at £293,700 in April 2020 to March 2022. In the period from April 2018 to March 2020 the estimate for median total wealth was £292,200 in real terms, which is calculated using an updated methodology for estimating private pensions wealth. Change over time is presented but not assessed in terms of short or long-term change, based on guidance from the data owner.

Source: Wealth and Assets Survey from the Office for National Statistics

Relative low-income households

No change

Since: Apr 2021 to Mar 2022

The percentage of people in the UK with household income below 60% of contemporary household median income (after housing costs) has remained stable since 2002

Of UK individuals, it was estimated that 21.4% live in households with less than 60% of contemporary household median income (after housing costs) in the financial year ending (FYE) 2023. This shows no short-term change (21.7% in FYE 2022) or long-term change (21.6% in FYE 2018).

Source: Households Below Average Income statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions

Household income inequality

No change

Since: Apr 2021 to Mar 2022

Disposable income inequality is at its lowest point since financial year ending (FYE) 1996, but not its lowest since records began.

In the UK, the Gini coefficient for the distribution of equivalised household income for all individuals was 33.1% in the financial year ending (FYE) 2023. This shows no short-term change (35.5% in FYE 2022). Long-term change is not assessed, based on guidance from the data owner.

Source: Household Finances Survey from the Office for National Statistics

Gender pay gap

Change not assessed

The gender pay gap has been declining slowly over time; over the last decade it has fallen by approximately a quarter among full-time employees

In the UK, the difference in gross hourly median pay between women and men was 7.0% in April 2024, down from 7.5% in April 2023. Change over time is presented but not assessed in terms of short-term or long-term change, based on guidance from the data owner.

Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings from the Office for National Statistics

Difficulty managing financially

No change

Since: Dec 2023 to Jan 2024

Roughly 1 in 4 adults in Great Britain found it fairly or very difficult to get by financially in the past month

Of adults in Great Britain, 22.9% said they found it fairly or very difficult to get by financially in the past month, when asked in December 2024 to January 2025. This shows no short-term change (19.4% in December 2023 to January 2024). Long-term change is not assessed because data for these comparisons are not available.

Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey from the Office for National Statistics

Education and skills

Education and skills can determine individuals’ socioeconomic outcomes. Measures in this topic area cover human capital, as well as qualifications and skills. They also cover satisfaction with the education system to capture how people’s education is supported.

NEET

Change not assessed

Since: Q3 2023

Approximately 1 in 8 young people in the UK were not in education, employment or training (NEET) in July to September 2024

Of UK adults aged 16 to 24 years, 13.2% were NEET in July to September 2024. Short-term change is not assessed because data quality information is not available. Long-term change is not assessed because of a discontinuity in the time series, which means estimates prior to July to September 2022 are not directly comparable.

Source: Labour Force Survey from the Office for National Statistics

No qualifications

No change

Since: 2022

The percentage of UK adults with no qualifications has continued to fall since 2004 (from 15.4% in 2004 to 6.6% in 2023)

Of UK adults aged 16 to 64 years, 6.6% were estimated to have no qualifications in 2023. This shows no short-term change (7.0% in 2022) but a long-term positive change (8.0% in 2018).

Source: Annual Population Survey from the Office for National Statistics

A-level or equivalent qualifications

Positive change

Since: 2022

Just over two-thirds of UK adults have A-level or equivalent qualifications or higher

Of UK adults aged 16 to 64 years, 67.7% were estimated to have A-level or equivalent qualifications or higher in 2023. This shows a short-term positive change (66.7% in 2022). Long-term change is not assessed because data for these comparisons are not available.

Source: Annual Population Survey from the Office for National Statistics

Human capital

No change

Since: 2021

The UK's full human capital stock as measured by the projected lifetime earnings of working-age people (in real terms) was estimated at £25.5 trillion in 2022

The UK estimated value of human capital in real terms, measured as the total value of working-age people's projected lifetime earnings, was £25.5 trillion in 2022. This shows no short-term change (£25.5 trillion in 2021) but a long-term positive change (£25.1 trillion in 2017).

Source: Human capital estimates from the Office for National Statistics

Satisfaction with own education and skills

Change not assessed

Just under three-quarters of adults in Great Britain are fairly or very satisfied with their education and skills

Of adults in Great Britain, 73.8% said that they were fairly or very satisfied with their education and skills, when asked in September 2024. Short and long-term change are not assessed because data for these comparisons are not available.

Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey from the Office for National Statistics

Satisfaction with education system

Change not assessed

Approximately 4 in 9 adults in Great Britain tend to be satisfied with the education system in the UK

Of adults in Great Britain, 44.5% said that they tend to be satisfied with the education system in the UK, when asked in September 2024. Short and long-term change are not assessed because data for these comparisons are not available.

Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey from the Office for National Statistics

Economy

The economy affects the financial welfare of individuals, communities and the UK as a whole. Measures in this topic area cover economic activity in the UK. They also cover consumer confidence to capture people's perceptions of the country's economic situation.

Unemployment rate

Change not assessed

Of those economically active, approximately 1 in 25 UK adults were unemployed in September to November 2024

In the UK, estimates show that the unemployment rate was 4.4% in September to November 2024. This shows a long-term negative change (3.8% in September to November 2019). Short-term change is not assessed because quality information for these comparisons is not available.

Source: Labour Force Survey from the Office for National Statistics

Inflation rate

Change not assessed

The Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers' housing costs (CPIH) rose by 3.5% in the 12 months to December 2024, unchanged from the 12 months to November 2024.

The UK annual inflation rate, measured by CPIH, was estimated to be 3.5% in the 12 months to December 2024, which is unchanged from the 12 months to November 2024. Change over time is presented but not assessed in terms of short or long-term change, based on guidance from the data owner. Further quarterly and annual information are available on our CPIH annual rate time series.

Source: Inflation estimates from the Office for National Statistics

Public sector net debt

Change not assessed

Public sector net debt at the end of December 2024 was provisionally estimated at 97.2% of the UK’s annual gross domestic product (GDP), 0.3 percentage points higher than at the end of December 2023.

The UK public sector net debt was provisionally estimated at 97.2% of gross domestic product (GDP) at the end of December 2024. Change over time is presented but not assessed in terms of short and long-term change, based on guidance from the data owner. Further quarterly and annual information are available on our Public Sector net debt time series.

Source: Public sector finance from the Office for National Statistics

Consumer confidence

Change not assessed

UK consumer confidence is negative 22.4 in January 2025, a decline on recent months

In the UK, the Consumer Confidence Index was negative 22.4 in January 2025, taking the score to its lowest point over the previous 12 months. Change over time is presented but not assessed in terms of short or long-term change, based on guidance from the data owner.

Source: Consumer Confidence Barometer from Growth from Knowledge

Governance

Good governance contributes to better social and economic outcomes. Measures in this topic area cover public trust and civic participation. They also cover satisfaction with the police and justice system to capture how public administration is supported.

Voter turnout

Negative change

Since: 2019

Just under 6 in 10 registered voters voted in the 2024 General Election, the lowest turnout since 2001

At the 2024 UK general election, voter turnout was 59.7%. This shows a negative change in both the short term (67.3% in 2019) and the long term (68.8% in 2017).

Source: Voter Turnout from the House of Commons Library

Trust in UK government

Positive change

Since: Nov-23

Roughly 3 in 10 adults in Great Britain tend to trust the UK government

Of adults in Great Britain, 27.9% said that they tend to trust the UK government, when asked in December 2024 to January 2025. This shows a short-term positive change (19.5% in November 2023). Long-term change is not assessed because data for these comparisons are not available.

Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey from the Office for National Statistics

Voice in government matters

No change

Since: Nov-23

Just under 7 in 10 adults in Great Britain said they do not have any say in what the government does

Of adults in Great Britain, 68.5% agreed or strongly agreed that they do not have any say in what the government does, when asked in December 2024 to January 2025. This shows no short-term change (69.3% in November 2023). Long-term change is not assessed because data for these comparisons are not available.

Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey from the Office for National Statistics

Satisfaction with police

Change not assessed

Roughly 4 in 10 adults in Great Britain tend to be satisfied with the police in the UK

Of adults in Great Britain, 43.8% said they tend to be satisfied with the police in the UK, when asked in September 2024. Short and long-term change are not assessed because data for these comparisons are not available.

Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey from the Office for National Statistics

Satisfaction with courts and legal system

Change not assessed

Approximately 3 in 10 adults in Great Britain tend to be satisfied with the courts and legal system in the UK

Of adults in Great Britain, 29.5% said they tend to be satisfied with the courts and legal system in the UK, when asked in September 2024. Long-term change is not assessed because data for these comparisons are not available.

Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey from the Office for National Statistics

Environment

The natural environment is relevant to people’s quality of life because it makes human life and activity possible. Measures in this topic area cover aspects of climate change, the UK’s natural environment and natural capital, and the effects of human activity on the environment.

Greenhouse gas emissions

Positive change

Since: Jan to Dec 2022

UK territorial greenhouse gas emissions continue to fall and have more than halved (52.7%) since 1990

In the UK, 384.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) greenhouse gases were emitted in 2023 (provisional estimates on a territorial basis). This shows both a short-term positive change (406.2 MtCO2e in 2022) and long-term positive change (462.3 MtCO2e in 2018). For further information please see our summary of the three main measures of UK emissions.

Source: Provisional UK Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Renewable energy use

Positive change

Since: Jan to Dec 2022

Renewable energy as a percentage of gross final energy consumption in the UK was 15.5% in 2023, the highest to date.

In the UK, 15.5% of all gross final energy consumed came from renewable sources in 2023. This shows both a short-term positive change (14.3% in 2022) and long-term positive change (10.3% in 2018).

Source: Digest of UK Energy Statistics from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Household recycling

No change

Since: Jan to Dec 2021

The amount of waste from households recycled in the UK has stayed relatively stable since 2015

In the UK, 44.1% of waste from households was recycled in 2022. This shows no short-term change (44.6% in 2021) or long-term change (45.5% in 2017).

Source: UK Statistics on Waste from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Protected areas

La:

No change

Se:

Positive change

Since: Jan to Dec 2019

The total extent of land and sea protected in the UK has increased by 12 million hectares (MHa), from 28.6 MHa in 2019 to 40.6 MHa in 2024

In the UK, 6.8 million hectares (MHa) of land and 33.8 MHa of sea were designated as protected areas in 2024. This shows no short-term change for land (6.8 MHa in 2019) but a short-term positive change for sea (21.8 MHa in 2019). For both land and sea, there have been long-term positive changes (0.0 MHa and 0.0 MHa in 1950, respectively).

Source: Biodiversity Indicators from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Priority species

No change

Since: 2016

The index of relative abundance of priority species in the UK had declined, by 2021, to 36.6% of its baseline value in 1970, a statistically significant decrease

In 2021, the Relative Abundance Index of Priority Species in the UK was 36.6. This shows no short-term change (35.3 in 2016) but a long-term negative change (100.0 in 1970).

Source: Biodiversity Indicators from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Air pollution

No change

Positive change

Since: Jan to Dec 2018

Since 2015, the mean number of days of ‘Moderate’ or higher pollution has been greater at rural sites than urban sites

In the UK in 2023, the average number of days where air pollution was moderate or higher was 8.7 at urban sites and 18.9 at rural sites. This shows no short term change for urban sites (8.9 days in Jan to Dec 2018) and a return to pre-pandemic levels following the record low seen in 2021 (4.4 days). Rural sites showed a short term positive change (25.8 days in Jan to Dec 2018). In the long term, urban sites have seen a positive change (15.4 days in Jan to Dec 2010) and rural sites have seen a negative change (10.2 days in Jan to Dec 2010).

Source: Air Quality Statistics from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Surface water status

No change

Since: 2017

The percentage of UK surface water bodies awarded "Good" or "High" water quality status remained relatively stable between 2009 and 2022

In the UK, 36.2% of surface water bodies were awarded a "Good" or "High" water quality status in 2022. This shows no short-term change (35.1% in 2017) or long-term change (36.0% in 2009).

Source: Biodiversity Indicators from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Pro-environmental lifestyle

No change

Since: Sept to Oct 2023

Approximately 6 in 7 adults in Great Britain said they have made at least some lifestyle changes to help tackle environmental issues

Of adults in Great Britain, 85.8% said they have made some or a lot of lifestyle changes to help tackle environmental issues, when asked in September 2024. This shows no short-term change (85.1% in September to October 2023). Long-term change is not assessed because data for these comparisons are not available.

Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey from the Office for National Statistics

Definitions