Blueprint for All continued the Life Chances research series to explore how inequalities and opportunities have changed for young people since the first report was published in 2021. This 2025 study provides a longitudinal perspective on how things have evolved since the pandemic. 

Our 2025 report reveals that many of the systemic barriers identified in 2021 have deepened and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds continue to be disproportionately affected. The survey included 500 young people aged 18 to 30 from underrepresented groups across the UK.

The five main areas we focused on that shape life outcomes are:

• Access, cost, and continuation in higher education
• Employment barriers to finding and progressing in work
• The impact of the cost-of-living crisis on financial stability
• How instability affects young people’s wellbeing, mental health, and confidence
• Whether society and employers are becoming fairer and more inclusive, and whether they are implementing EDI values

Key insights from the report include: 

Many young people question whether institutions genuinely embed EDI within their practices. Less than half (46%) perceive the job market as fair, and only 29% believe their employer is truly committed to EDI. A majority (58%) report not seeing any effective interventions. 

• Education: 84% of disadvantaged students still face barriers to continuing their education, primarily financial.
• Employment: 41% struggled to find their first job; 38% abandoned their career plans due to a lack of opportunities or unpaid work.
• Finance: 30% cited financial stress as their biggest ongoing challenge.
• Wellbeing: Fewer than half say their mental health has improved since 2021, and only 46% feel safe and supported in their communities.
• Inclusion: Fewer than half see the job market as fair; only 29% believe their employer is genuinely committed to inclusion.

For more insights, click below to download the report.