Job satisfaction in the UK has fallen to its lowest point since 1989, with a notable decline in men's desire for full-time employment, according to a major new survey.

Just under three-quarters (74 percent) of respondents reported being satisfied with their jobs, a decrease from 81 percent in 2015. The findings are based on the 2025 British Social Attitudes (BSA) survey, which polled 4,656 individuals aged 16 and older across the UK between late August and early October. The results were analyzed by the Resolution Foundation think tank.

While the proportion of people in full-time employment has risen from 57 percent to 60 percent over the past decade, the percentage of working-age adults who wish to work full-time has dropped from 57 percent in 2015 to 47 percent in 2025. This shift in preference has been driven entirely by men.

In 2025, fewer than two-thirds (62 percent) of working-age men expressed a desire for full-time work, down from 77 percent in 2015. For women, this preference remained largely unchanged, standing at 38 percent in 2025 compared to 37 percent a decade prior. The decline was especially pronounced among men aged 30 to 49, with their preference for full-time work falling by 19 percentage points.

The research, published by the National Centre for Social Research, also indicated a decrease in other job satisfaction indicators. The proportion of workers who described their jobs as interesting fell from 74 percent in 2015 to 63 percent last year. Opportunities for advancement were reported by 26 percent of workers, down from 35 percent, and the willingness to work harder to help their employer succeed dropped from 69 percent to 55 percent.

The survey also highlighted a growing importance of flexibility, with 61 percent of workers deeming the ability to decide their own working hours as important, up from 46 percent in 2015. However, only 31 percent of current employees reported having this flexibility.

Hannah Slaughter, principal economist at the Resolution Foundation, suggested that factors such as shifting work-life balance priorities post-pandemic, an increasing number of individuals with health issues, and greater caring responsibilities could be contributing to these trends. She emphasized the need for further research to understand the precise reasons behind the decline in men's desire for full-time work, cautioning against simple explanations like "work shyness."