Pride in Britain’s history and achievements has significantly declined over the past decade, according to a recent survey of national attitudes. The annual British Social Attitudes survey reveals that fewer individuals now believe that being born in the United Kingdom is essential to being considered ‘truly British’.
In the past ten years, there has been a notable decrease in the number of people who take pride in the country’s achievements and who feel that Britain stands out as superior to other nations. In 2013, 86 per cent of people expressed pride in Britain’s history; this number has dropped to 64 per cent.
Currently, less than half of the population prefers British citizenship over any other, a decline from 62 per cent in 2013. Pride in Britain’s democracy has also fallen, with only 53 per cent now expressing pride, down from 69 per cent a decade ago.
Despite this decline, a majority still take pride in Britain’s cultural and sporting accomplishments. About 80 per cent are proud of achievements in arts and literature, and 77 per cent in sports.
The National Centre for Social Research (NatCen)’s 41st British Social Attitudes (BSA) report provides these insights. Conducted annually since 1983, it is the longest-running measure of public opinion in Britain.
The report notes that British identity is increasingly viewed in civic and inclusive terms, welcoming newcomers more than before. However, there is less pride in the past and growing scepticism about the current political climate.
Researchers observed that the proportion of people identifying as British remains relatively stable. However, there is a growing ‘inclusive’ approach to British identity.
The percentage of people who consider being born in Britain as crucial to being ‘truly British’ has decreased from 74 per cent in 2013 to 55 per cent now. Similarly, the importance placed on having British ancestry has dropped from 51 per cent to 39 per cent.
Among Brexit supporters, 78 per cent believe being born in Britain is essential to being ‘truly British’, compared to 45 per cent of those who support EU membership.
The survey also indicates that younger generations are less likely to believe that being born in Britain is important. For instance, 73 per cent of those born in the 1940s hold this belief, compared to 54 per cent of those born in the 1970s and 47 per cent in the 1990s.
Researchers attribute this shift to the high levels of immigration over the past two decades, which have made Britain more diverse in terms of ethnic origin, linguistic background, and religion.
They suggest that this diversity may have led people to adopt a more inclusive view of British identity, valuing current commitment over historical ancestry.
Gillian Prior, deputy chief executive at NatCen, commented that while pride in British history and politics has waned, there remains significant national pride in cultural and sporting achievements. She noted that increased diversity and shared citizenship might be influencing this shift in attitudes.
The British Social Attitudes survey involved 5,578 interviews with a representative, random sample of adults in Britain, conducted between 12 September and 31 October 2023.
What Other Media Are Saying
- The Guardian reports that Pride in Britain has plummeted over the last decade, with declining LGBTQ+ rights and a lack of government support highlighted.(read more)
- The Independent reports that pride in Britain’s history has decreased significantly over the past decade, with many feeling detached from their cultural heritage.(read more)
- BBC News reports on the tragic discovery of three children and a man’s bodies at an address in Surrey, with police investigating the circumstances of their deaths.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
How has pride in Britain’s history changed over the last decade?
Pride in Britain’s history has fallen from 86% in 2013 to 64% now.
Do people still feel it’s important to be born in the UK to be ‘truly British’?
No, the importance of being born in the UK has dropped from 74% in 2013 to 55% now.
How do current attitudes toward British democracy compare to a decade ago?
Pride in British democracy has decreased from 69% in 2013 to 53% now.
Are people still proud of Britain’s cultural and sporting achievements?
Yes, nearly 80% are proud of Britain’s arts and literature, and 77% of its sporting achievements.
How has the attitude towards British ancestry changed?
The belief that British ancestry is important has dropped from 51% in 2013 to 39% now.