One in 10 (11%) 23-year-olds in the UK believe environmental problems are not as serious as people claim, according to new UCL research.
Men are more than twice as likely as women to be sceptical about environmental concerns at age 23 (16% v 6.5%). Similarly, non-graduates are twice as likely as graduates to doubt the seriousness of environmental problems (14.5% v 8%).
About the data
Researchers from the UCL Centre for Longitudinal Studies analysed data from almost 10,000 people born in the UK in 2000-02 who are taking part in the Millennium Cohort Study. At age 23, the participants shared their views on some of the key issues facing society today, including the environment, their faith in democracy, and their voting behaviour.
Half of 23-year-olds (51.5%) agreed that while democracy has its problems, it is still the best form of government. People’s confidence in democracy varied by sex and educational background. Women were less likely than men to agree that democracy is the best form of government (46% v 58%). Non-graduates were also less likely to have faith in democracy compared to graduates (41% v 62%).
More than half of young people (55%) believed that the government should redistribute income from the better off to those who are less well off. The same proportion of men and women agreed that the government should redistribute income (55%) while non-graduates were less likely than graduates to agree with this policy (53% v 57%).
Almost three fifths of 23-year-olds (57%) said they voted in the 2024 general election with no differences by sex. However, graduates voted in significantly greater numbers than non-graduates (70% v 47%).
‘A fascinating insight’
Lead author Dr Aase Villadsen (UCL Centre for Longitudinal Studies) said: “These latest findings from the Millennium Cohort Study offer a fascinating insight into the views and attitudes of gen Z on some of the major social and political issues shaping their early adult lives.
“The research reveals substantial differences between groups, particularly by educational pathway. Young adults who attended university report higher rates of civic participation, greater trust in democratic institutions, and stronger confidence in scientific evidence on the environment.
“While women are more certain than men about global environmental problems, they appear less confident in the current form of government. This may reflect wider trends across society, including growing distrust of established political parties and experts.
“It will be important to monitor this generation’s attitudes over time and compare them with those of older generations, to better understand how and why views vary across different groups.”
Further information
Read: Attitudes, health and social media use: initial findings from the Millennium Cohort Study at age 23, by Aase Villadsen and Morag Henderson.