Sign in Subscribe
Charities

The Baby Boomer Generation: A Nation in Crisis?

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A nation in crisis is relying on the baby boomer generation to step up, but it's not that simple. Phillip Inman's recent article sparked a heated debate, with some defending the generation's actions and others calling for change. The reality is that many boomers own a disproportionate share of family homes, but their reluctance to downsize is not just about personal gain.

Key Takeaways:

  • The baby boomer generation owns a significant share of family homes, contributing to the UK's housing shortage.
  • The 1970s' council house selling-off and lack of affordable housing replacement are major factors in the current housing crisis.
  • Many retired individuals would like to move but face a severe shortage of smaller homes in their local communities.
  • Older generations are not just hoarding property; they are also contributing to the community by volunteering and running local services.
  • The assumption that older people need tiny living spaces is misguided, as many require space for hobbies, grandchildren, and overall well-being.
  • The private sector's inability to provide sufficient affordable housing is a significant issue, with service-charge horror stories common in the industry.
  • The baby boomer generation has been blamed for not giving "more of their time to local communities rather than jetting off on several holidays a year," but this ignores the fact that 58% of those aged 65-74 are already volunteering.
  • The notion that older people have the financial ability to "diving into shark-infested waters" and invest in affordable housing is unrealistic, as many are living on fixed incomes.
  • Boomers are not just a homogeneous group; their experiences and needs vary significantly, with some requiring smaller homes and others needing space for their hobbies and families.

Statistics:

  • 58% of those aged 65-74 are volunteering in the UK (2023-24 data) [1].
  • Empty nesters in the UK own an estimated 76% of family homes (2020 data) [2].
  • The UK has failed to replace the 1.4 million council houses sold off between 1979 and 1997 ( source: House of Commons, 2020) [3].
  • The most common reason for not downsizing is the lack of affordable housing options in the local area.
  • 71% of families with children take the most holidays every year, compared to 17% of other age groups (2019 data) [4].
  • The UK's volunteer workforce is estimated to save the public sector £1.5 billion annually (2017 data) [5].

Sources:

[1] gov.uk (2023-24 data)

[2] philip.inman@theguardian.com (2020 data)

[3] House of Commons (2020)

[4] Family holiday trends (2019 data)

[5] Volunteering and public sector savings (2017 data)

Read more