Life holds many priorities that matter more than money.
Research suggests Britons in their 50s share that view, placing far greater importance on their health than on the amount of money in their bank accounts.
However, despite health being their top priority, one in four Generation X adults – those born between 1965 and 1980 – describe their health as “poor” or “fair”.
Experts say the findings indicate that many middle-aged adults are struggling with the area of life they value most.
Researchers at University College London analysed data from around 8,000 people born in England, Scotland and Wales who took part in the 1970 British Cohort Study.
Between 2021 and 2024, participants rated the importance of various aspects of life on a scale of one to 10.
Health ranked first, receiving an average score of 9.3.
Friendships followed with a score of 8.9, while marriage or partnership scored 8.7 and independence 8.6.
Britons in their 50s value their health far more highly than the size of their bank balance, research suggests
Having a fulfilling job scored 7.9, narrowly ahead of owning a home at 7.87. Having children was rated 7.5.
Money, meanwhile, appeared much lower down the list, with an average score of just 6.1.
“These insights reveal what matters most to Gen X as they reach their early 50s,” said Dr George Ploubidis, a professor at the UCL Centre for Longitudinal Studies and co-author of the briefing paper.
“While they value their health, a large proportion report physical and mental health difficulties, suggesting that some may be struggling with the aspect of life most important to them.”
Only two in five respondents rated their health as “excellent” or “very good”, while 26 per cent said it was “fair” or “poor”.
The study also found a striking divide in reported health between the wealthiest and poorest participants.
People in the highest-income group were more than twice as likely to describe their health as excellent or very good as those in the lowest-income group – 59 per cent compared with 24 per cent.
Overall, about one-third of people in midlife said they were living with obesity, while nearly one in 10 reported having been diagnosed with diabetes.
Once again, poorer participants were significantly more likely to experience ill health.
Diabetes was reported by 13 per cent of people in the lowest-income group, compared with 5 per cent of those in the wealthiest group.
Researchers also compared the health of Generation X with that of baby boomers, defined as people born between 1946 and 1964.
At the same age, half of the baby boomers rated their health as “excellent” or “very good”. They were also less likely to have obesity or diabetes.
The research identified a substantial mental-health gap between men and women.
More than a quarter of Gen X women reported symptoms of psychological distress, compared with 15 per cent of men.
Women were also almost twice as likely to have spoken to a doctor about their mental health, at 42 per cent compared with 23 per cent of men.
“Our study reveals deep inequalities among Gen X, with those from the lowest-income households at greater risk of both physical and mental health difficulties,” said Dr Vanessa Moulton, a co-author of the research.
“The findings also show that more members of Gen X are in worse health in their early 50s than their baby boomer peers.
“Given the critical importance of midlife health and the rising demand for mental health support, this new evidence highlights the need for physical and mental health resources to reach those who need them most.
“Providing accessible, practical advice can help people improve their health during midlife, enabling them to age better, stay active and lead fulfilling lives.”
