Life Chances 2025: Why Young People Are Still Facing Inequality in the UK

Our new research shows that young people in the UK continue to face barriers across education, employment and wellbeing. Life Chances 2025 reveals how inequality persists. It also demonstrates how our consulting work supports organisations in building psychologically safe and inclusive workplaces for young people.

How Blueprint for All Consulting Is Helping Organisations Build Psychologically Safe and Inclusive Workplaces

In my role as an organisational psychologist, I lead Blueprint for All Consulting. That’s our advisory service that helps organisations create inclusive and supportive work environments. My work focuses on leadership, culture and reducing bias, in close collaboration with our partners, funders and consulting clients.

We are a national charity working across sectors, and collaboration sits at the centre of everything we do. I also support partner organisations in aligning with our strategic aims. This helps ensure their cultures and systems foster fair and welcoming workplaces for young people.

Alongside this, I authored our Life Chances 2025 report. Our findings show that we’ve made progress since our initial report in 2021; however, challenges persist. Our research gives Blueprint for All a renewed focus on expanding programmes that directly address these inequalities. This helps build a fairer, more inclusive society.

What the Life Chances 2025 Findings Reveal About Education, Financial Stability, Employment, Wellbeing and Inclusion

Young adults in the United Kingdom are entering adulthood amid rising living costs. They are also facing job instability and a decline in trust in institutions. Life Chances 2025 reveals that inequality continues to shape access to education, employment and wellbeing.

The awareness of equity, diversity, and inclusion has increased since 2021. However, organisations still don’t provide opportunities evenly.

The study draws on surveys with 500 ethnically diverse young adults aged 18 to 30. It also includes a national comparator of 1,000 UK adults, supported by a focus group. Together, these findings present a clear picture of the barriers still shaping young people’s futures.

Education

• 84% of disadvantaged students said financial support was essential to staying in higher education.
• 89% worked during their studies, often in low-paid jobs that affected their performance.
• The cost of living now determines whether students can continue studying, not only how well they perform.

Employment

• 42% struggled to access internships, and 38% found it difficult to secure their first job.
• Women (48%) and Asian respondents (50%) were most affected.
• Access often depends on personal networks rather than talent or effort.

Financial Stability and Wellbeing

• 30% identified financial stress as their primary concern.
• Fewer than half (47%) reported improved mental health since 2021.
• Economic pressure and exclusion continue to harm wellbeing.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

• Only 29% believe their employer is genuinely committed to EDI.
• Many young people feel inclusion is discussed more than it is acted on.

Why It Matters

These findings highlight a generation that is ambitious, capable and resilient, yet held back by systems that limit opportunity. They show why Blueprint for All Consulting exists. It helps organisations build cultures rooted in fairness, inclusion and psychological safety.

Psychological safety means people feel secure at their workplace. They can speak up, learn, and contribute without fear of judgment or exclusion. This is the foundation of every inclusive and high-performing culture.

Drawing on evidence from Life Chances 2025, we collaborate with employers, educators, and policymakers. We work to embed inclusion through leadership, accountability, and equitable access to opportunities. A key focus of this work is supporting organisations in building psychologically safe workplaces. In these workplaces, employees at all levels can share ideas, raise concerns, and build trust.

This sense of safety allows inclusion and innovation to thrive. A key part of our work is helping organisations create environments where young people can step in with confidence. These are spaces that are psychologically safe, inclusive, and genuinely committed to equity.

The report’s message is clear: talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. Through evidence-based consulting, collaboration and continued research, Blueprint for All will keep working to change that.

To explore how our consultancy can support your organisation, visit our consulting page or learn more about how we are enriching society through inclusive leadership and opportunity.

“Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not.” – Life Chances 2025