About

Purpose

The generation born in the early 1970s has been shaped by some of the most significant social, political and economic changes in the history of the UK. The purpose of the 1970 British Cohort Study (BCS70) is to document the lives of the very special ‘Generation X’.

By following you throughout your lives, researchers are able to understand:

how our experiences as children affect how we turn out as adults
how different areas of our lives, such as health, wealth, family, education and employment, are linked
how these aspects of life vary for people from different walks of life.

We share what we learn from your experiences with government and service providers. Our aim is to inform policies and services that will help make life better for your generation and younger ones too.

BCS70 is the third in a long line of cohort studies, following generations of Britons born in 1946, 1958, 1970 (you), and 2000-01. By comparing the experiences of different generations, we can track how life in the UK is changing.

History of the study

BCS70 was set up originally to help doctors understand why some babies were born with health problems and why some died so early in life. Since then the study has developed into the world’s leading source of information on what life is like for your generation. Find out more.

What have we learned?

BCS70 is one of the most important sources of information anywhere in the world on what factors can influence our chances in life. Findings from the study have supported the development of policies and services designed to improve people's lives. Find out more about what we've learned from following you.