Cost of living crisis negatively impacting young people’s mental health finds poll by UK Youth

54% of young people surveyed in a poll by UK Youth said their mental health has been impacted negatively by the cost of living crisis. A further 76% of young people were concerned that the crisis will restrict their ability to secure a job now and in the future.

UK Youth’s poll of 16-25 year olds and parents found young people had growing concerns around the cost of living and the impact it was having on their lives. The poll consisted of 1,012 young people, aged 16-25 years old, as well as 1,011 parents of young people, aged 11-25 years old and was conducted by Censuswide on 16th-17th March 2023.

You can read the full report here.

Key Findings

• 54% surveyed say their mental health has been negatively impacted by the cost of living crisis. 
• 76% are concerned the crisis will restrict their ability to get a secure job now and in the future – with just 4% of young people having no concerns at all.
• Almost half of young people (45%) say the cost of living crisis is having an impact on their ability to heat their homes
• Over a third (36%) say they are more lonely as they reduce their social life to save money.
• One in five (20%) say their access to regular meals has been negatively impacted.
• Six in 10 parents (59%) believe the government is not doing enough for young people through the cost of living crisis, while half of young people (50%) feel the same.
• Nearly three quarters of parents (73%) believe better or increased access to youth work would help their child aspects of their life affected by the cost of living crisis – while half of young people (48%) believe it would benefit their mental health and three in 10 (30%) young people believe it would improve their employment opportunities.