Skip to content
Saturday 22 August 2026London --:--Frankfurt --:--Zurich --:--
NewslettersSearchEN · DE · FR
MorningWire

European business, markets and politics

FTSE 100
10,816.56
+0.64%
DAX
26,136.56
+0.59%
CAC 40
8,484.43
+0.37%
STOXX 50
6,462.22
+0.63%
  • Europe
  • Markets
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Regulation
  • Politics
  • Opinion
More
GermanyFranceEU InstitutionsCompetitionPublic AffairsBankingTechnologyEnergy
  • Germany
  • France
  • Europe
  • Markets
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Regulation
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • DE
Sunday 15 January 2017 12:37 pm

Are we more or less happy after the Brexit vote?

By: Lynsey Barber

Add as a preferred source on Google

The unexpected and shock result of the vote to leave Europe is just one of the events that has in recent months illustrated an increasingly divided world.

But, in this new territory of uncertain times, fake news, and where it sometime feels like up is down and black is white, just what effect is that having on the nation's wellbeing?

Read more: Bye-bye Single Market? What to expect from Theresa May's Brexit plan

A new set of figures shed some light on the matter for the first time: we're largely just as satisfied with life after the referendum as before, but anxiety has slightly increased.

The official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) which measure the country's quality of life show anxiety was rated at 2.9 out of 10 for the year to the end of September 2016. That compares to 2.83 for the same period a year earlier.

Ratings for how worthwhile people felt their lives are remained the same at 7.84 out of 10, as did happiness at 7.48. Overall life satisfaction was largely flat at 7.66, up from 7.65. 

"At a time when economic measures are generally improving, this is not necessarily reflected in how people tell us they are feeling about their lives," said Matthew Steel of the ONS.

"Whilst it is too early to say why anxiety ratings have increased slightly and why life satisfaction, happiness and worthwhile ratings have levelled off in the past 12 months, we know from our previous research that factors impacting most on people’s personal well-being include health, work situation and relationship status."

The ONS floated the idea that it could be could be "associated with the uncertainties surrounding governance, the economy and global security", however, as well as severe flooding in parts of the UK and "numerous terror attacks around the world".

It's the first time the official stats have been published on a quarterly, rather than yearly basis, and will allow for more timely insight into the changing feelings of the country. However, a full analysis of the pre-referendum and post-referendum periods will only be available in Autumn.

Share this article

  • Facebook
  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp
  • Email

Similarly tagged content:

Sections

  • Markets & Economics
  • News

Categories

  • Business
  • Economics

Trending Articles

  • House prices in wealthy London boroughs fall by up to £300,000

  • As it happened: Miners fuel FTSE 100 recovery; oil jumps as Trump claims Strait of Hormuz

  • City law firm sues prominent Emirati business family

  • Amanda Blanc has worked her magic at Aviva

  • As it happened: FTSE 100 rallies after JD Sports drags on blue chips; oil jumps again

More from Morning Wire

  • Neurodiversity, employment law and ‘reasonable adjustments’ – the new HR headache

    Law
    Four brown puppies playing on a green mat with pink toys and a paw-print blanket.
  • AI powerhouses are betting on London’s future

    Opinion
    Aerial view of Kings Cross St. Pancras station and square, London, with people, buses, and surrounding buildings.
  • Limbic Becomes First AI-Led Mental Healthcare Company Selected for FDA TEMPO

    Business Wire
  • Public sector makes wage growth higher than expected

    Economics
    London has defied national trends as job postings in the capital rose.
  • The Burnham bounce won’t last unless Brits get better off

    Opinion
    Andy Burnham smiling and holding a pint of beer and a smartphone in a pub setting
  • Mexico breaks ranks and dents Uefa-led bid to oust embattled Fifa kingpin Infantino

    Sport Business
    Gianni Infantino, FIFA President, smiling as golden confetti falls around him
  • Reform’s Richard Tice under parliamentary investigation

    Politics
    Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and Deputy Leader Richard Tice are set to meet with Andrew Bailey to discuss interest rates and stablecoins.
  • Trump regime distances itself from Infantino as under-fire Fifa boss faces calls to quit

    Sport Business
    Gianni Infantino and Donald Trump holding the FIFA World Cup trophy
MorningWire

Independent European business, markets and political news for decision-makers.

Morning Briefing

Europe

  • Germany
  • France
  • EU Institutions
  • Europe

Business

  • Markets
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Regulation
  • Competition
  • Public Affairs

Editorial

  • Opinion
  • Editorial Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Company

  • About Morning Wire
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookie Policy
© 2026 Morning Wire Ltd · Published by Morning Wire Media, Bahnhofstrasse 65, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Privacy · Terms · Cookies · Facebook