The socialization trends among generations

Editor’s note: Kieran Vaughan is the senior research executive at Opinium. This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared under the title “Socialising in the UK: how adults connect and what’s holding them back.”

Social activity highest among youngest generation

The average U.K. adult socializes or goes out with friends, colleagues or their wider social circle around 50 days a year. This varies by age, with the youngest and oldest generations being the most socially active. Gen Z (born between 1998-2007) reports the highest frequency of social activity, averaging 88 days, while Millennials (born between 1982-1997) average 59 days. Meanwhile, Baby Boomers (1947-65) and Gen X (1966-81) are the least socially active, averaging 37 and 30 days respectively, highlighting a significant divergence in social behavior between the younger and older populations.

Over half (52%) of adults meet with friends, colleagues or their social circle only once a month or less. This is less common among Gen Z, with only 23% limiting their social outings to this frequency. By contrast, this figure rises to over three-fifths for both Gen X (62%) and Boomers (64%).

Furthermore, around one in six (16%) of Gen X and one in five (22%) of Boomers say they never socialize or go out with their friends or wider social circle, revealing a concerning portion of the population who are completely disengaged from social outings.

Socialization preferences among generations

Of all age groups, Gen Z shows the most diversity in how they prefer socializing with friends, with their top preference being staying in with friends (34%). Gen Z are also significantly more likely to prefer socializing online with friends, such as by playing video games or engaging in video calls than the U.K. average (23% vs. 11%) and more likely to socialize at fitness or wellness activities such as yoga and dance (16% vs. 10% average).

Going to restaurants and cafés is the most popular way for people to socialize with their friends or wider social circle, with 45% of adults favoring this option. This figure rises to half of women (52%) and drops slightly to under two-fifths (38%) of men. It is particularly preferred among Baby Boomers, with 52% favoring it compared to 33% of Gen Z. The second most popular way to socialize is going to bars or pubs, with over a third (35%) of adults choosing this. This is notably more popular among men (42%) than women (28%). The third most common way to socialize is staying in with friends, with 28% of people enjoying this, particularly women at 34%.

Difficulty expanding social circles

Nearly a third of Brits say they’d ideally like to socialize more often (30%) – particularly Millennials (37%) and Gen Z (32%) – the two most social groups and those in London (37%). Thirty-three percent also say they wish their social circle was bigger – especially those in London (42%). Fewer than one in ten (8%) of U.K. adults wish to go out less often than they currently do, indicating that the desire to socialize and go out more is a common sentiment across all age groups.

Despite this general enthusiasm to socialize more, 43% of U.K. adults say they find it difficult to meet new people, highlighting a key barrier that prevents many from going out more often. This challenge is more pronounced among Millennials and Gen Z (53% and 44% respectively) and less common among Baby Boomers (37%). Additionally, 31% of U.K. adults admit they do not feel a strong connection with their friends, rising to 38% of Londoners, underscoring the widespread longing for more meaningful social interactions.

Money woes restrict Londoners from socializing

Financial limitations are a major factor restricting social activities. Thirty-nine percent say their financial situation limits their ability to socialize as often as they would like, with this figure rising to 42% among Gen Z and 47% for Millennials, compared to 30% for Baby Boomers. For those living in London, financial constraints are particularly significant, with half (50%) agreeing it limits how often they would like to socialize.

Eighty-two percent of U.K. adults report facing barriers to going out or socializing with friends. When asked about the biggest obstacles, 29% of adults cite financial constraints as their main hindrance. Twenty-five percent say feeling too tired or having low energy prevents them from going out, a challenge that is more prominent among women at 29% compared to 20% of men. Lack of time is also a key issue, with 23% of people mentioning it, though it is more of a hindrance for Millennials (36%) and Gen Z (28%) compared to just 11% of Baby Boomers. Across most barriers, Millennials are more likely to report them as a barrier to socializing.

Brits crave more social interaction but face significant hurdles

Many Brits want to socialize more but face significant obstacles. Over 80% of adults encounter barriers to meeting their social needs, with 30% explicitly wanting more social interaction. Financial constraints affect 39% of the population (rising to 50% in London), while a quarter cite fatigue as their main obstacle.

This social disconnect is particularly evident among younger generations and urban residents, with 37% of Millennials and Londoners desiring more social activity. Meanwhile, 22% of Baby Boomers report never socializing with friends or their wider circle.

The desire for connection is clear: 43% of adults find it difficult to meet new people, a third wish their social circle was bigger and 31% don’t feel strongly connected to their friends. Addressing these issues requires more accessible and affordable social opportunities, community-building initiatives and innovative approaches to helping adults form meaningful connections – bridging the gap between social aspirations and reality across the nation.