New Year’s resolutions gain popularity for 2024: these are Brits’ top ten goals for next year
- After a tough 2023, over 60% of Brits will make resolutions to try and make 2024 a better year - signalling the most popular year for resolutions since 2019
- Gen Z are most likely to make New Year’s resolutions, with 85% of 18-24 year olds saying they will commit to self improvement next year, compared to just 19% of those aged 65+
- Health topics dominate the top ten resolutions for 2024, with losing weight, eating better and getting fit in the top three
- Nine out of ten resolution-makers will include a focus on financial freedom for 2024
- The most popular financial resolutions include cutting down on outgoings, putting more money aside in savings, and getting out of debt
- On average, people stick to their resolutions for five months, while 11% last less than a month and just 16% go the whole year.
More people are set to make New Year’s resolutions for 2024 than at any time since [2019]. Go.Compare’s latest New Year’s Resolutions Tracker has found that self-improvement has grown in popularity, with 62% of UK adults now committing to getting healthy, dropping bad habits, sorting out their finances, and improving their relationships.*
The comparison site asked over 2,000 UK adults what they hoped to change in 2024, and there was a clear generational divide when it came to people’s desire to improve their lot next year.
Most Gen Z adults - aged between 18 and 24 - will make New Year’s resolutions (85%). At the other end of the age spectrum, just one in five (19%) over 65s will do the same. In fact, the likelihood of making resolutions decreases by around 13% as age groups increase.
The top ten list of resolutions is dominated by health goals but, with the cost of living crisis still being keenly felt, nine out of 10 (92%) resolution-makers have included at least one financial goal for 2024.
These include reducing outgoings, slashing debts and even putting aside some money in savings.
While one in 10 (11%) people will stick to their resolutions for less than a month, the average goal-setter lasts an impressive five months, and as many as one in six (16%) will go the whole year.
|
Pos. |
The UK’s Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions for 2024 |
% |
|
1 |
Lose weight |
35% |
|
2 |
Eat more healthily or change diet |
32% |
|
3 |
Get fit/take more exercise |
30% |
|
4 |
Be more aware of and take better care of my mental health |
21% |
|
5 |
Spend more time with family/friends |
20% |
|
=5 |
Sort out finances/cut back on outgoings |
20% |
|
=5 |
Travel more |
20% |
|
=5 |
Take up a new hobby, sport of interest |
20% |
|
6 |
Look for a new job |
17% |
|
=6 |
Correct my work-life balance |
17% |
|
7 |
Make better relationship choices |
16% |
|
8 |
Be more environmentally friendly |
14% |
|
9 |
Stop/reduce drinking |
12% |
|
=9 |
Stop/reduce smoking |
12% |
|
10 |
Stop/reduce time spent on social media |
|
2024 will be the year of debt reduction over accumulating savings
Given the squeeze on incomes that has been felt across the economy in 2023, it’s not surprising that nearly all resolution-makers have included financial goals for next year. Among those with money goals in mind, cost reduction is the main focus.
|
Pos. |
The UK’s Top Ten Finance-Focused Resolutions for 2024 |
% |
|
1 |
Save money on outgoings |
36% |
|
2 |
Save more in a deposit account |
28% |
|
3 |
Get out of debt |
26% |
|
4 |
Reduce/stop credit card usage |
20% |
|
5 |
Shop around on my bills (insurance, energy etc.) |
20% |
|
6 |
Buy a house or move home |
14% |
|
7 |
Put more money in a pension |
13% |
|
8 |
Give more money to charity |
13% |
|
9 |
Invest in the stock-market |
13% |
|
10 |
Remortgage |
|
Matt Sanders, head of money at Go.Compare, commented:
“This has been the latest in a succession of difficult years for many people, but it looks like 2024 is shaping up to be a year of self-improvement for millions of Brits who are determined to bounce back stronger.
“Health takes centre stage, as it often and understandably does, with the top three resolutions revolving around losing weight, eating better, and getting fit. However, what stands out is the growing focus on financial freedom, as nine out of ten resolution-makers have included at least one financial goal for the upcoming year.
“Given the economic challenges experienced in 2023, it's not surprising that cost-cutting measures and reducing debt have become paramount. Saving - whether in a deposit account, an ISA, a pension, or through investments - should come after any debts, especially expensive debts like interest-accruing credit cards or buy-now-pay-later loans, have been cleared.
“Any time is a good time to make positive changes, but there’s something uniquely appealing about the New Year for setting new goals to achieve and challenges to overcome. But something is better than nothing, so don’t beat yourself up if you drop some resolutions or don’t stick to your plan perfectly.”
For more information about reducing outgoings and other practical money saving guidance, visit: https://www.gocompare.com/savings/money-saving-tips/.
Contact Information
Rubie Barker
Notes to editors
*Between 1st -4th December 2023, an online survey of 2,137 randomly selected Great British adults was executed by Sago. For comparison purposes, a probability sample of this size has an estimated margin of error (which measures sampling variability) of +/- 2.1%. The results have been weighted by age, gender, region and social grade to match the population, according to Census data. This is to ensure the sample is representative of the entire adult population of Great Britain. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.
For further information please contact:
Lynsey Walden on lynsey.walden@futurenet.com, or Kath Chadwick on Kathryn.chadwick@futurenet.com.
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