Statistics give KORI an insight to some of the areas the younger generations are navigating. We carry out consistent research and speak with families and young people. This helps us to build our programmes around the most current challenges.
Here are some important examples:
Cost of Living Is Now the Biggest Mental Health Pressure
Young people are increasingly overwhelmed by financial strain, and it is now their leading mental health concern.
- 22% say the cost of living has the biggest impact on their mental health — more than academic pressure (Young Minds, 2025).
- Young people from low‑income families are 4× more likely to experience mental health problems (Young Minds, 2025).
A Generation Under Severe Financial Strain
Rising costs are reshaping young people’s daily lives and long‑term outlook.
- 47% are unable, or only just able, to make ends meet each month (Herts Young Homeless, 2025).
- 75% are in some form of debt by age 22 (RSA, 2024).
Youth Unemployment at a 12‑Year High
Disengagement from education and work is rising sharply.
- 928,000 young people are NEET — the highest level in 12 years (BBC News, 2026).
Schools Are Not Preparing Young People for Adult Life
Young people overwhelmingly feel unprepared for the world of work.
- They were almost unanimous that school did not prepare them for employment (One Million Futures , 2026).
- 64% believe soft‑skills development would significantly improve job prospects (One Million Futures , 2026).
- Many NEET young people had little or no meaningful work experience at school (One Million Futures , 2026).
