British citizens believe UK was safer and happier 50 years ago
In this DML Report…
A recent Ipsos worldwide poll reveals significant dissatisfaction among Britons regarding the past 50 years of societal changes. Sixty-three percent of respondents believe the UK was happier in 1975 compared to 2025, while only 12 percent think conditions are happier now; this exceeds the global average of 55 percent who felt their nations were happier in the previous century. The UK ranks high in discontent, surpassed mainly by France where 70 percent said things were happier in the 1970s versus 5 percent opposed. Additionally, 60 percent of Britons view the country as safer in 1975, against 17 percent who believe it has become safer by 2025. Forty-four percent also perceive less risk of war 50 years ago, compared to 16 percent who see 2025 as safer.
The poll indicates a majority of Britons think it would have been better to be born in the 1970s than the 2020s, with even Generation Z showing a narrow preference for the present by a close margin. Ipsos notes that most participants were not alive in 1975, suggesting the results stem from widespread dissatisfaction with the current national direction, though no mention was made of potential recency bias.
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Supporting polls highlight related concerns: a London University study found 86 percent of Britons observe tension between immigrants and UK-born residents, with a majority describing the country as divided; half believe changes are occurring too quickly, and more favor reverting to past ways. Another survey shows most agree that excessive openness risks losing national identity, that a declining white population share harms society, and that diverse races, ethnicities, and religions weaken it. Britons also overwhelmingly support deporting criminal migrants. Brexit leader Nigel Farage commented that the political center is shifting rapidly and the public has reached its limit.