New research has found almost half of Gen Z Brits say they miss their lockdown life – five years on from the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The study revealed 47% of Gen Z respondents (aged 16-27) said they missed life during lockdown, just above 46% of Millennials (aged 28-44). That figure dropped sharply to 19% amongst Baby Boomers (60-78), and just 8% amongst the Silent generation (79+).
The figures emerged from a survey that aimed to examine how habits have changed since the UK’s first lockdown on March 23, 2020.
Around 60% of Gen Z respondents said they enjoyed the slower pace of lockdown as it enabled them to learn new skills. Of the Gen Z respondents, close to four-in-10 (38%) said they missed spending more time in the home, one-in-four (26%) said they missed gaming with friends, and 30% said they preferred there being less social pressure. Amongst Millennials, 37% said they miss the slower pace of life. Contrastingly, around seven-in-10 (67%) of people aged 80+ said they don’t miss anything about lockdown.
Around a third of respondents from all generations (31%) said they were more comfortable spending time alone since lockdown, while 28% said they take more frequent walks. Just below a quarter (23%) said they shop locally more since lockdown.
Beth Houston, 25, a singer from Glasgow, learned to play guitar and write her own songs during lockdown, and now has two of her own numbers streaming on Spotify.
She said: “Obviously, lockdown was a hard and horrible time for everybody – people were unwell, some were dying, and it was an awful period for many. However, amidst all that, there were positives. I don’t miss the pandemic, but I do miss the way life slowed down, and I had more time to spend with family, to be creative, and to take a pause. I miss the simple things – having long phone or video calls with friends, sitting outside, and not feeling like life was rushing by. Everything now feels so fast, and social media makes it worse. In lockdown, we had time to focus on ourselves. I think a lot of Gen Z haven’t really experienced that outside of the pandemic.”
She added: “I miss the simplicity of life during lockdown. I felt more creative and had time to invest in myself. I would wake up, go for a walk, and spend time outdoors – ironic given how much of the day we were supposed to spend inside – something I rarely do now because of how busy things have become again.”
With coffee undergoing a surge in popularity during lockdown, the nationally representative survey, conducted by independent insights agency Opinion Matters, also found that 42% of Millennials and 43% of Gen Z say their coffee consumption has changed since the UK’s first lockdown.
Experts at coffee roaster Matthew Algie, one of the UK’s largest suppliers of coffee, training, and equipment to the coffee industry, who commissioned the survey, believe the shift in attitudes has been driven by a greater willingness to experiment with coffee techniques and products during lockdown, as well as increased amounts of disposable income in certain sections of society.
Nearly half of Millennials (48%) reported drinking more coffee than before the pandemic, while 45% of Gen Z said the same. By contrast, older generations have been less affected, with only 21% of Gen X (aged 44-59) and 14% of Baby Boomers (aged 60-78) saying their habits have shifted.
The findings also indicate a growing appreciation for high-quality coffee, particularly among younger consumers. More than half of Millennials (51%) and 42% of Gen Z said they now place greater value on good coffee than before lockdowns. Expectations around quality have risen as well, with 61% of respondents saying they now expect all coffee to be of a high standard – rising to 64% among both Millennials and Baby Boomers.
Meanwhile, younger Britons have become more adventurous in their choices, with 47% of both Gen Z and Millennial respondents saying they now explore different types of coffee more frequently.
Sustainability has also become a key factor for consumers, with 42% of those surveyed willing to pay more for coffee if it is sustainably sourced. That number rises to 58% amongst Millennials, and 52% for Gen Z. Just 27% of Baby Boomers said they’d pay more.
Kate Asamoa, a director at Matthew Algie, said: “The Covid-19 lockdowns reshaped daily life in ways we’re still uncovering, and coffee habits are no exception. With routines disrupted, people sought out small comforts – like coffee – not just as a pick-me-up but as a ritual of consistency and pleasure. For younger consumers, whose preferences were still developing, this period has had a particularly lasting impact.
“One of the most notable shifts has been the growing focus on quality and sustainability. With more time at home and, in some cases, extra disposable income, many consumers embraced home brewing – experimenting with different beans, brewing methods, and specialty coffee brands. A heightened awareness of coffee sourcing and flavour profiles has not only reshaped preferences but also established a lasting trend beyond the pandemic.”
Estelle MacGilp, head of coffee sourcing at Matthew Algie, added: “The lasting effect is a more conscious and engaged coffee drinker. Again, particularly among younger generations, there’s an increased awareness of ethical sourcing, production methods, and the craft behind a great cup of coffee. This presents an exciting opportunity for the coffee industry to not only meet but exceed evolving consumer expectations – by prioritising transparency, sustainability, and exceptional quality at every stage of the supply chain.”
Matthew Algie, based in Glasgow, is one of the UK and Ireland’s leading suppliers of coffee, equipment, and training to businesses and organisations across hospitality, retail, education, and industry.
The nationally representative survey of 2,000 people was conducted by independent insights agency Opinion Matters.
