UK: Faith Is More Important to Gen Z Brits Than to Older Generations, Report Finds

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – A new study on faith in the United Kingdom shows that faith is of greater value and significance to Britain’s “Generation Z” (those aged between 18-24) young adults than it is to older generations.

Titled “Britain’s attitudes to faith in public life – May 2024,” the nationally representative survey was commissioned by the Institute for the Impact of Faith in Life (IIFL) and carried out by Whitestone Insight. The survey researchers interviewed 2,064 UK adults on-line between 1st and 2nd May 2024. The survey did not target proponents of one religion but polled interviewees with diverse views on faith.

The following data was presented among the survey’s key findings:

• • “69% of respondents within the 18-24 year old bracket believe their faith significantly impacts their lives, compared to 44% of respondents aged 55-65 and 51% of respondents aged 65 plus.
  • 72% of respondents within the 18-24 year old bracket find faith helps them find purpose in life, in contrast to 47% of respondents aged 65 plus.
  • 78% of respondents within the 18-24 year old bracket feel their faith has shaped their moral values, compared to 63% of respondents aged 45-54, 65% of respondents aged 55-64, and 68% of respondents aged 65 plus.
  • 76% of respondents within the 18-24 year old bracket have friends with faiths or beliefs different from their own, a trend consistent across age groups.
  • 53% of respondents within the 18-24 year old bracket believe their faith to be the only true religion, while 25% of respondents aged 65 plus share this belief. However, 45% of respondents within the 18-24 year old bracket are open to changing their minds about faith, compared to 22% of respondents aged 65 plus.”

In a statement within the report, the researchers conclude: “Overall Gen Z are more seeking God; they are more zealous in their faith being that the majority of them believe their faith is the only true religion; they are more wanting to speak of their faith in public and hear others share their faith, whilst also showing higher levels of interfaith and learning through interfaith.”

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