More than half of working adults in Britain say they would continue to work even if money were no longer a necessity, according to new research by mutual income protection provider Cirencester Friendly.

The survey of 2,420 working people, carried out by Opinium Research, found that 51% would be likely to continue in employment for reasons other than financial. A further 7% of respondents said they were already working despite not needing the income.

By contrast, just over a third – 36% – said they would be unlikely to carry on in such circumstances.

AGE AND REGIONAL DIFFERENCES

The findings reveal sharp differences between generations. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of those under 35 said they would keep working regardless of financial need, compared with only 33% of those aged 55 and over.

Location also played a significant role. Londoners were the most likely to say they would continue to work, with 67% responding positively, while just 38% of those in Wales said the same.

In Northern Ireland, the North East, Yorkshire, the West Midlands, the East of England and the South West, more than half of respondents said they would continue to work.

GENDER AND ATTITUDES TO WORK

The survey found little difference between men and women, with 53% of men and 49% of women saying they would keep working. However, women were slightly more likely to say they took pride in their work, at 74% compared with 67% of men. Across all respondents, 70% said they gained pride from their jobs, while just 12% disagreed.

Alan Waddington, distribution director at Cirencester Friendly, said the results underlined the broader value people place on their careers. “These results show just how important work is to people. It gives them so much more than a regular income – it gives their lives purpose, meaning and pride,” he said.

He added that the research challenged common perceptions about younger generations. “We continually hear that the younger generation lack a work ethic, but our survey shows this is simply not the case. What our survey suggests is that they see it as a way to improve their own self-esteem,” he said.

The mutual said the findings reflected its own experience with customers. While income protection provided financial security, many policyholders wanted to return to work quickly after illness or injury, not only to secure earnings but also to regain a sense of usefulness and value.