A new survey commissioned by British Gas has found that 50 is the age at which Brits feel “most confident and in control of their lives.” The research, which polled 2,000 British adults, identified several widely agreed-upon indicators of having “got it together,” including recycling, putting clothes away, knowing when bin day is, and making regular savings.
Key markers of adulthood according to the survey
Respondents rated making regular savings as the top sign that someone has their life under control. Other top indicators included enjoying your own company, admitting when you’re wrong, and saying no to things you don’t want to do. The survey also listed having a litter-free car, spare batteries to hand, and washing up after a dinner party instead of leaving it till the next day as signs of adulthood.
The survey’s findings suggest that practical, everyday behaviours are seen as more indicative of maturity than major life milestones like owning a car, buying a house, or becoming a parent—milestones that many may find unattainable in the current economic climate.
Age and feeling in control
On average, respondents said they felt most in control of their lives at age 50. However, 30% said they felt nowhere near being sorted, while 56% thought no one ever really is. The survey was commissioned by British Gas, a utility company, and involved 2,000 British adults.
The findings come after a Cambridge University study last year suggested that the brain does not reach adulthood until age 32. That research, considered more credible than the consumer survey, implies that by age 50, adults have only been “grownups” for 18 years—long enough to learn to make their bed.
Implications and next steps
While the survey highlights common markers of adulthood, it also reflects a broader societal debate about what truly signifies maturity. The results suggest that many people feel that no one ever fully has their life together, despite reaching the age of 50. As the research indicates, practical habits like saving regularly and tidying up are seen as achievable signs of control, even if the ideal of full adulthood remains elusive for many.
