Health, wealth and happiness levels among the UK population have plummeted to their lowest levels in a decade during the course of the pandemic, according to LifeSearch.
The advice firm’s newly launched Health, Wealth and Happiness Index, compiled with the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr), monitors changes in these three areas individually and combined, dating back to 2011.
It also used a survey of 3,025 adults conducted by Opinium Research in March to inform its results.
The first findings published today reveal how badly the Covid-19 crisis has hit the country, with an overall score of 74.3 recorded in the first quarter of 2021, just above the lowest point of 71.6 which was calculated during Q2 2020.
Prior to the pandemic, scores were typically measured in the 90s, with lower ratings in the 80s during the financial crisis in 2011 and 2012.
Health, wealth and happiness
A health score of 63, wealth score of 83.6 and happiness score of 76.4 were recorded in the most recent measurement during Q1 2021.
The health Index fell to a reading of 50.4 amid the first national lockdown in Q2 2020 from 88.4 in the previous three months – the largest fall in the series which illustrated the shock of the pandemic’s arrival.
It recovered to 84.2 in Q3 but then fell in Q4 to 75.8 and again in Q1 2021 to the current 63.
While the wealth index did report a decline during the last year, plummeting to 76.3 in Q3, it is not yet as low as seen in 2011 at 66.4, and actually rallied in Q1 2021 to 83.6.
LifeSearch says this was likely due to government interventions such as the furlough scheme, stamp duty holiday and the rise in the household savings ratio.
Perhaps most tellingly, the happiness measure hit its lowest point of 76.4 most recently.
After a sudden drop in Q2 2020 it mirrored the same direction of travel as the health index, with a brief uptick in Q3, followed by falls again in Q4 and Q1 2021.
Divided nation
Other key findings of the report indicated the nation had become divided during the pandemic, with near-equal splits between people feeling better, becoming healthier and financially better off, and those who experienced the opposite.
These measures included:
Alcohol intake
More than a third of Brits (36%) say they have been comfort eating more in the last year, rising to 43% of women and 49% of young people.
Meanwhile, 21% have drunk more alcohol, rising to 29% of 18-34 years olds and 24% of 35-43 year olds. More than a quarter (27%) said they had drunk less, rising to 30% of women but despite pubs being mostly closed for most of 2020, spending on alcohol has not changed dramatically; from £19.30 per adult per month in 2019 to £19.70 in 2021.
Physical and mental fitness
While a third (34%) of Brits feel they are less fit now than pre-Covid, rising to 38% of women, a quarter feel fitter now vs pre-Covid, rising to 39% among younger people and 30% among those furloughed.
Far more adults report their mental health has worsened (39%) rather than improved (14%) over the course of the last year, rising to 45% of women and 48% of young people saying things had got worse.
Finances
Almost one in three Brits (29%) felt better off financially now vs pre-pandemic, rising to 34% of 18-34 year olds and ABC1s.
But a further 24% felt worse off, rising to 27% of women, 35% of those working part-time, 37% of those on furlough and 35% of those who work in the third sector.
The pandemic has caused over half of all Brits to re-evaluate their finances, rising to 76% among those aged 18-34. A quarter of Brits have saved money; 21% reviewed spending more closely; and 9% have paid off debts.
Almost seven out of 10 (72%) respondents harboured concerns for their wealth and finances in 2021 and 25% were fearful of bills rising, 19% were wary of new taxes being introduced and 19% feared a lack of savings.
‘Tale of two halves’
Commenting on the findings, Emma Walker, chief marketing officer at, LifeSearch said matters relating to the nation’s health, wealth and happiness haven’t felt so loaded or emotive in living memory.
“We created a new index to document this period and lock the UK’s health, wealth and happiness trends into history,” she said.
“The last year has been like no other and it’s no surprise to see the downward pressure on measures of health, wealth and happiness.
“It’s also true to say that we found a tale of two halves, some were able to use the pandemic as an opportunity to reflect and make some positive change in their life from saving more money, exercising more or changing diet, while others have suffered in ways that have tested the fragility of our existence.”
