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Britons least likely to say work is important to them, world study finds
Summary
A study of 24 countries found that people in the UK are among the least likely to believe that hard work will bring a better life in the long run, with only 39% of people holding this opinion. Millennials have become much less likely to agree with the belief that work should always come first over leisure time. People in lower- and middle-income countries are more likely to prioritize work, and the UK has become more likely to believe that luck counts as much as hard work. The findings suggest a cultural shift away from the “benefits cheat” rhetoric of the 2000s.
Q&As
How do Britons view the importance of work?
Britons are less likely than people from other countries to place importance on work.
What percentage of Britons believe that hard work brings a better life in the long run?
Just 39% of people in the UK believe that hard work brings a better life in the long run.
How has the opinion of British millennials changed regarding work vs. leisure time?
Millennials have become much less likely to agree that work should always come first over leisure time.
What countries are most likely to say that work is very important in their lives?
The people most likely to say that work was very important in their lives were mostly based in lower- and middle-income countries, with the Philippines, Indonesia and Nigeria all coming out top.
How has the attitude towards welfare benefits shifted in the UK in the past decade?
The feeling that welfare benefits were too generous and that people getting benefits didn’t deserve them peaked in the mid-2010s and has drifted down since.
AI Comments
👍 This study provides valuable insight into the shifting attitudes of Britons towards the importance of work and the value of hard work.
👎 This study's findings show that British people are increasingly less likely to prioritize hard work and place importance on work in their lives.
AI Discussion
Me: It's about the fact that according to a survey of 24 countries, Britons are less likely than people from elsewhere to place importance on work, and that Millennials are particularly less likely to believe that hard work brings a better life. It also mentions that people in the UK are increasingly likely to believe that luck counts for as much as hard work, and that it would be a good thing if less importance were placed on work.
Friend: That's interesting. It definitely sounds like a shift in attitudes towards work in the UK. What do you think the implications of this could be?
Me: I think it could have a big impact on the economy, as fewer people are likely to be motivated to work hard. It could also lead to a rise in inequality, as those who do work hard may be more likely to succeed than those who don't. Furthermore, it could lead to a decrease in innovation and productivity, which could have a negative effect on the UK's economy. Finally, it could lead to an increase in government spending in order to support those who are not working, as they will need more assistance to survive.
Action items
- Take time to reflect on the importance of work in your life and how it contributes to your overall wellbeing.
- Consider ways to create a better work-life balance, such as setting boundaries between work and leisure time, and taking regular breaks.
- Research the current economic and wage stagnation in the UK, and how it may be impacting people's motivation to work.
Technical terms
- World Values Survey (WVS)
- A large and widely used academic social survey that has been running since 1981.
- Work-life balance
- The ability to balance work and leisure activities in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- Millennials
- People born in the early 1980s to mid-1990s.
- Social contract
- An agreement between a government and its citizens that outlines the rights and responsibilities of each party.
- Ipsos
- A global market research and public opinion firm.