The Most Common New Year’s Resolutions in the UK

Every year, millions of us in the UK take a moment at the New Year to think about how we’d like the next 12 months to be different. New Year’s resolutions have become a familiar cultural moment — a chance to reflect, reset and recommit to personal goals. But beyond the well-meaning intentions, what are the most common resolutions that British adults actually make? And are there noticeable trends in what we choose to prioritise?

In this post, we’ll explore some of the most common New Year’s Resolutions in the UK, according to various polls.

📊 How Many Brits Actually Make Resolutions?

It might surprise some readers that not everyone plans to set New Year’s resolutions. According to YouGov research, only about 29% of UK adults reported intending to make New Year’s resolutions for 2025. That means a majority — around 60% — say they don’t plan to set formal goals at the start of the year.

Interestingly, the likelihood of making resolutions varies significantly by age:

• 52% of adults aged 18–24 say they’ll make resolutions
• Only 16% of those aged 60+ plan to do so

This age pattern suggests that resolutions remain a more popular tradition among younger UK adults than older generations.

🥇 Top Resolution Categories in the UK

Based on a mix of surveys from YouGov, Finder UK and other UK-focused sources, we can build a clear picture of the themes that dominate resolution-making in the UK.

Here are the core categories British adults commonly choose:

🔵 1. Improving Physical Health and Fitness

Health-related resolutions consistently top the list:

• In a YouGov survey on New Year’s resolutions, 66% of people with resolutions said improving physical health was their top priority
• This includes goals like exercising more, getting fitter, or being more active — resolutions that appear year after year as the most popular choice

Dependence on gym memberships, fitness apps, and home workouts spikes every January, with gyms across the UK reporting increased sign-ups at the start of the year.

🍎 2. Eating Healthier and Losing Weight

Closely tied to physical health are goals around diet and weight loss:

• Nearly half of resolution-makers say they want to eat more healthily, according to YouGov lifestyle data
• Others specifically list losing weight as a goal — often ranking within the top three most common resolutions

These intentions reflect ongoing UK public health concerns, including obesity rates and diet-related illness.

💷 3. Financial Goals — Saving More & Spending Less

Money-related resolutions have become increasingly common in recent years:

• Multiple surveys show saving money or managing finances better ranking among the most popular resolutions
• Around 21% of British resolution-makers said their main goal was to save more or spend less, according to YouGov UK

This shift reflects the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, rising household bills and higher interest rates impacting UK families.

🧠 4. Mental Well-Being and Self-Improvement

Beyond physical health, many Brits are placing more emphasis on mental wellbeing:

• About 34% say they want to improve their mental health, according to YouGov wellbeing data
• Self-improvement goals — such as becoming more organised, reducing stress or improving productivity — also feature strongly

This aligns with wider conversations around mental health awareness in the UK and work-life balance.

❤️ 5. Strengthening Relationships and Social Goals

While not always the top priority, relationship-focused resolutions remain common:

• Around 22% of people say strengthening personal relationships is a key goal
• Others aim to spend more time with family, travel more, or reconnect with friends

These goals often reflect post-pandemic shifts in how people value time, connection and experiences.

✈️ Other Popular Resolutions

Beyond the main categories, UK surveys frequently mention:

• Travelling more and prioritising holidays
• Learning new skills or hobbies, such as languages or creative pursuits
• Reducing screen time or social media use, reflecting growing concerns around digital wellbeing
• Home improvement projects and lifestyle upgrades

These goals tend to be more personal but still appear consistently across UK New Year’s resolution surveys.

📉 Do People Keep Their Resolutions?

Setting a resolution is one thing — sticking to it is another.

• Research reported by Associated Press suggests that most resolutions are abandoned within the first few months
• UK media reports indicate many people give up on fitness or financial goals by spring

Psychologists often recommend setting specific, measurable goals rather than vague resolutions like “get healthier”.

📌 What This Means for UK Resolution Makers

Looking at the data year on year, several clear patterns emerge:

1. Health remains the top priority
2. Financial goals are rising sharply
3. Younger adults are far more likely to set resolutions
4. Mental wellbeing is now a mainstream focus

Despite changing economic and social conditions, the core themes remain remarkably consistent.

🧠 Final Thought

New Year’s resolutions may be rooted in tradition, but they also act as a mirror for what matters most to people living in the UK today. Whether it’s improving health, gaining financial security or protecting mental wellbeing, the data shows that resolutions are less about perfection — and more about hope for a better year ahead.