Cautious Gen Zs are restricting their spending in pubs and clubs, and are instead splashing their cash – on insurance. A poll of 2,000 adults has revealed the nation’s spending priorities for the next 12 months.
More than one in three (35 per cent) 18–24-year-olds plan to spend more on insurance – compared to just 11 per cent of those aged 45–54. It comes as Gen Z were found to already have more insurance coverage for their personal belongings than older age groups.
The younger generation are four times more likely to insure their jewellery than 55–64-year-olds (35 per cent to eight per cent respectively), and twice as likely to protect their watch (26 per cent) compared to the older age group. It also emerged 37 per cent of 18–24-year-olds are set to spend more on experiences with family – compared to just one in ten of those aged 55–64.
Among all age groups, eating out (31 per cent), holidays and travel (27 per cent) and clothes (22 per cent) are the things people are looking to spend more money on. However, the UK’s vibrant nightlife sector may struggle, as just one in ten plan to spend more money in pubs, clubs, and on alcohol.
Claudio Gienal, CEO at AXA UK and Ireland, which commissioned the research, said: “The cost-of-living crisis has understandably made many people nervous about what lies ahead. The Chancellor’s move to lower the basic rate of income tax from 20 per cent to 19 per cent, an increase in the threshold for paying National Insurance (NI) by £3,000, and fuel duty being slashed by 5p, shows the government knows budgets are squeezed.
“But despite this challenging climate, our research highlights the value we put on experiences with family and friends, and the importance of spending time together. In these uncertain times, it’s also interesting that younger age groups are most likely to protect their goods via insurance, and people generally plan to buy more insurance in the coming year.
“This suggests they don’t see insurance as a luxury, but as a vital safety net which allows them to get on with their life and do the things they love.” The study also found that when it comes to tightening the purse strings over the next 12 months, a quarter (24 per cent) of adults plan to spend less on clothes – while others will cut back on eating out (19 per cent) and buying electronics and gadgets (18 per cent).
Others will also reduce their expenditure on jewellery (17 per cent) and home improvements (16 per cent). Almost one in four (24 per cent) Gen Zs are planning to spend less on cars next year, while more than a quarter of 45–54-year-olds expect to curb their eating out habits.
But while 60 per cent of men believe themselves to be careful shoppers, compared to 53 per cent of women, men spend more on impulse buys – £21 a week, compared to £16.60 a week. And Gen Z spend more than any other age group on impulse buys, splurging £28.80 per week – compared to just £11.90 for those aged 55–64.
The younger generation are also planning to spend three times as much money on takeaway coffee compared to the over-55s. Londoners splashed £30.30 on impulse buys, with Northern Ireland (£23.80) and the north east (£20.80) making up the top three regions.
The East Midlands (£13.20), south west (£14.80) and the south east (£15.40) were the most frugal regions, according to the survey carried out via OnePoll. Claudio Gienal added: “It’s fascinating to see how the nation is planning to spend its money in the coming months.
“An uncertain economic environment is creating a generational divide, meaning different age groups are prioritising different activities when it comes to their spending. The lifting of coronavirus restrictions perhaps explains why more than a quarter of Brits are planning to spend more money on holidays and travel, despite rising inflation and economic uncertainty.”
GEN Z'S TOP SPENDING PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT 12 MONTHS:
- Takeaway coffee – 37 per cent
- Insurance – 35 per cent
- Clothes – 33 per cent
- Eating out – 33 per cent
- Cars and vehicles – 31 per cent
- Electronics and gadgets – 30 per cent
- Jewellery – 24 per cent
- Nightlife socialising such as nightclubs, bars and pubs – 19 per cent
- Home improvement – 18 per cent
- Furniture – 16 per cent
