Covid still impacting people’s daily lives, research finds
The research found that while half of the population have moved on from the pandemic, 30% of the public still felt the mental health impact of the pandemic in their daily lives.
One in five people reported struggling with loneliness that started in lockdown, while one in three said they were more anxious in crowded places since Covid-19.
Covid-19 has also opened up generational divides in the workplace, Eden Stanley said, with people in their first decade of working age tending to express a higher level of dissatisfaction at how it has shaped their experience.
In addition, 38% of working adults aged 20 to 30 think their career progression has been limited due to Covid disruptions, while one in three said they feel isolated because others do not seem to recognise the lasting impact of the pandemic.
By comparison, only 15% of workers aged 41 to 60 believe their career progression has been constrained by Covid.
When discussing working from home, 41% of employed 20 to 30-year-olds miss the work environment and face-to-face interactions versus 25% of 50 to 60-year-olds.
However, 59% of working 20 to 30-year-olds also said they prefer working from home since the pandemic.
The research, carried out with data collection by Savanta, included an online survey of 2,000 nationally representative UK adults aged 18 and over carried out during the first half of November 2024.
Joe Barrell, founder and principal at Eden Stanley, said: “The pandemic has left a long shadow over society and five years on, we’re starting to uncover some of its lingering effects.
“While life feels like it has returned to normal for some people, for many others the mental health impacts of Covid continue to take their toll. With such a broad divergence in society, it’s important that policymakers, employers and community leaders understand the different and myriad ways in which Covid has left its mark.”

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