This statistic shows the most important issues facing the United Kingdom according to an opinion poll among adults in Great Britain in June 2017, broken down by age group. Of respondents aged 65 years and older, 63 percent reported they believed Britain leaving the EU (Brexit) to be the greatest issue their country was faced with, compared with 50 percent of respondents between the ages of 18-24. National defense and security issues were cause for concern to 50 percent of respondents over the age of 65, while 30 percent of respondents aged 18-24 believed such issues to be worrisome. Furthermore, issues concerning healthcare policies were viewed as most important by 51 percent of respondents aged 18-24, compared with 39 percent of respondents aged 65 and older.
Distribution of opinion in Great Britain regarding the most important issues facing the country in 2017, by age group
Characteristic
18-24
25-49
50-64
65+
Britain leaving the EU
50%
55%
60%
63%
Defence and security
30%
37%
45%
50%
Health
51%
37%
44%
39%
Immigration and asylum
14%
33%
42%
50%
Economy
27%
27%
28%
26%
Education
27%
17%
11%
8%
Housing
15%
12%
9%
8%
Crime
9%
12%
8%
11%
Welfare benefits
9%
10%
12%
8%
Environment
14%
8%
5%
4%
Pensions
1%
3%
8%
12%
Family life and childcare
2%
4%
2%
2%
Tax
6%
4%
2%
3%
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Share of respondents50%50%30%30%51%51%14%14%27%27%27%27%15%15%9%9%9%9%14%14%1%1%2%2%6%6%1%1%3%3%6%6%55%55%37%37%37%37%33%33%27%27%17%17%12%12%12%12%10%10%8%8%3%3%4%4%4%4%2%2%2%2%3%3%60%60%45%45%44%44%42%42%28%28%11%11%9%9%8%8%12%12%5%5%8%8%2%2%2%2%1%1%1%1%1%1%63%63%50%50%39%39%50%50%26%26%8%8%8%8%11%11%8%8%4%4%12%12%2%2%3%3%1%1%0%0%1%1%18-2425-4950-6465+Britain leaving the EUDefence and securityHealthImmigration and asylumEconomyEducationHousingCrimeWelfare benefitsEnvironmentPensionsFamily life and childcareTaxTransportNone of theseDon't know
0%50%100%150%200%250%300%
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This question was phrased by the source as follows: "Which of the following do you think are the most important issues facing the country at this time? Please pick up to three."
Multiple answers were possible, respondents could choose up to three answers.
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YouGov. (June 8, 2017). Distribution of opinion in Great Britain regarding the most important issues facing the country in 2017, by age group [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved March 16, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/713548/most-important-issues-facing-great-britain-age/
YouGov. "Distribution of opinion in Great Britain regarding the most important issues facing the country in 2017, by age group." Chart. June 8, 2017. Statista. Accessed March 16, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/713548/most-important-issues-facing-great-britain-age/
YouGov. (2017). Distribution of opinion in Great Britain regarding the most important issues facing the country in 2017, by age group. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: March 16, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/713548/most-important-issues-facing-great-britain-age/
YouGov. "Distribution of Opinion in Great Britain regarding The Most Important Issues Facing The Country in 2017, by Age Group." Statista, Statista Inc., 8 Jun 2017, https://www.statista.com/statistics/713548/most-important-issues-facing-great-britain-age/
YouGov, Distribution of opinion in Great Britain regarding the most important issues facing the country in 2017, by age group Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/713548/most-important-issues-facing-great-britain-age/ (last visited March 16, 2025)
Distribution of opinion in Great Britain regarding the most important issues facing the country in 2017, by age group [Graph], YouGov, June 8, 2017. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/713548/most-important-issues-facing-great-britain-age/
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