Adulthood starts at 26

• Almost half of Brits feel younger than their age, by an average of seven years 
• 12 per cent of over 18’s don’t feel like adults, including seven per cent of those aged 55 plus
• Brits don’t accept domestic responsibility until they are 21
• Buying a property is the biggest adult milestone in life, ahead of paying bills, marriage and children
   

The legal age of adulthood in the UK might be 18, but new research from Direct Line Life Insurance¹ reveals most Brits didn’t feel like they are adults until they reach 26. In fact, millions of us are actually ‘kidults’, with more than one in ten (12 per cent) still not feeling like adults, including 1.2 million (seven per cent) of those aged over 55. 

The research highlights just how young at heart Brits really are, as almost half (48 per cent) of people say they feel younger than their actual age by an average of seven years, and one in seven (15 per cent) feel at least ten years younger than the age on their birth certificate. Analysis also shows how spritely over 55s feel, with 61 per cent of this age group feeling younger than their years and 22 per cent feeling more than 10 years younger. 

One of the reasons why we feel so young is because we don’t start taking on responsibilities until later in life. Millions of people across the UK do not start cooking their own meals or doing their own laundry until they are at least 21, several years after the legal age of adulthood. The average age at which people first feel financially independent is 23, when they first start paying household bills. 
 

Table one: Average age at which Brits take on adult responsibilities

Source:  Direct Line Life Insurance 2018
 

However, this analysis shows that avoiding responsibility until later in life isn’t a new phenomenon. One in every thirteen (8 per cent) over 55s have never regularly done their own laundry and six per cent have never regularly cooked their own meals.    

When asked about life events that are considered the most ‘adult’, the majority of those surveyed (62%) ranked buying a property as the most ‘adult’ milestone, followed by paying bills. Surprisingly, having children ranked only third in the list ahead of getting married and registering to vote.
 

Table one: Milestones that make Brits an adult

Source:  Direct Line Life Insurance 2018
 

Jane Morgan, Business Manager at Direct Line Life Insurance, commented: “In a world where the major milestones of adulthood are happening later in life and we leave making those big grown up decisions until our mid twenties, it’s not surprising that people don’t feel like adults at 18. And while we all feel young at heart, it’s easy to say 'I'll think about that later' but it's important to be prepared for your financial future, no matter what life may bring.

“Planning for your financial future can appear intimidating and it's easy to put off especially when thinking about life insurance or critical illness cover, but some things aren’t as mind boggling or time consuming as you might think. You can get a quote for life insurance including critical illness cover from Direct Line in as little as three minutes.”

For more information on life insurance, please visit: https://www.directline.com/life-cover/family-financial-planning

- ENDS -

Notes to Editors

¹  Research conducted by Opinium among a nationally representative sample of 2,002 adults between 23rd to 27th February 2018
 

For further information please contact:
 

Claire Jarrett

Media Relations Executive

Direct Line Group

Tel: 01651 832 411

Email: claire.jarrett@directlinegroup.co.uk
 

Katie Ormrod

Citigate Dewe Rogerson

Tel: 0207 282 1023

Email: katie.ormrod@citigatedewerogerson.com
 

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel, pet and life insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

Direct Line life insurance policies are underwritten by Legal & General, registered office: One Coleman Street, London EC2R 5AA. Legal & General Assurance Society Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority under number 117659. You can check the FCA register at www.fca.org.uk/register or call the FCA on 0800 111 6768. Legal & General will introduce customers who select the Funeral Benefit Option to Dignity Funeral Services, who are members of the National Association of Funeral Directors.
 

Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0800 145 5522 or visiting www.directline.com/life-cover