A surprising number of adults in the UK lack basic household skills, according to a recent survey by British insurance company Aviva. The annual Home Report, which surveyed 2004 people in February and March, found that 20% of adults can't change a lightbulb or boil an egg.
Even more startling, nearly a third of respondents admitted they couldn’t cook a meal without a recipe. Additionally, only 59% knew how to remove a stain, and just 37% could change a flat tire.
Aviva’s Propositions Director, Adam Beckett, expressed surprise at these findings, highlighting the nation’s pride in DIY abilities. He acknowledged that while people enjoy tackling tasks themselves, busy lives often necessitate calling in professionals for more challenging jobs.
The survey also revealed a generational shift in how people learn these skills. Half of the respondents reported learning through trial and error, but younger individuals, especially those under 25, are increasingly turning to the internet for guidance. In this age group, 40% prefer online resources over traditional books.
Here's a snapshot of the survey’s findings on household tasks:
TaskPercentage Confident in Completing
Boil an egg
81%
Change a lightbulb
79%
Cook a meal without a recipe
69%
Read a map
66%
Sew on a button
65%
Unblock a sink
62%
Remove a stain
59%
Change a baby’s nappy
57%
Wire a plug
57%
Bleed a radiator
53%
Check oil levels in a car
53%
Put up a shelf
47%
Put up wallpaper
39%
Change a flat tire
37%
Change a washer on a tap
30%
Fit tiles
22%
Source
Photo: Getty