Cardiff revealed to be one of the most optimistic cities in the UK

These are the most ‘glass half full’ cities in the UK

• Brits are feeling the most optimistic about a hot British summer in 2025, with nearly half (47%) saying they feel positive about this
• The most optimistic city in the UK is Belfast, with 85% of people saying they ‘see the glass as half full’ 
• A good night’s sleep and warm weather are some of the top things that help Brits to feel more optimistic about the future
• Less than two in five (39%) are confident they will stick to their New Years resolutions in 2025

As the new year approaches and people start planning their New Year’s resolutions, optimism is a topic on many minds. A recent survey by Betway Casino reveals that nearly half (48%) of Brits feel optimistic about the future. But what exactly are they hopeful for, and which city stands out as the most optimistic of them all? 

To find out, Betway Casino surveyed 1,000 Brits, asking them about how optimistic they are, what makes them feel optimistic, and the things they’re most optimistic about. 

You can view the full research here: https://blog.betway.com/casino/the-uks-most-optimistic-brits/ 

Brits are feeling the most optimistic about a hot British summer in 2025, with nearly half (47%) saying they feel positive about this

Rank	Event	% of people who are optimistic about this
1	A hot British summer	47%
2	Living in my dream home one day	46%
3	A white Christmas	41%
4	Finding the love of my life	39%
5	Getting my dream car	34%

Almost half (48%) are also optimistic about the future in general, but having a ‘hot British summer’ tops the list as the thing that Brits are most optimistic about (47%). Close behind, with 46%, is the aspiration of living in a dream home. Similarly, 41% of respondents hold onto the nostalgic hope of a white Christmas. 

Finding the love of one’s life is another significant source of optimism (39%) and 34% of people are optimistic about one day getting their dream car. 

Flipping the scale, people in the UK are the most pessimistic about getting engaged in 2025, with 32% feeling negative about this, followed by a white Christmas, at 41% and getting promoted in 2025, at 26% of people feeling pessimistic. 

The most optimistic city in the UK is Belfast, with 85% of people saying they ‘see the glass as half full’ 

Rank	City	% of people who are more optimistic than pessimistic
1	Belfast	85%
2	Hull	75%
3	Cardiff	71%
	Durham	71%
4	Preston	67%
5	Leicester	65%
6	Brighton & Hove	64%
	Newport	64%
7	Portsmouth	63%
	Coventry	63%

Belfast takes the crown for the most optimistic city in the UK, with 85% of people in Belfast being optimistic about the future in general. Over two-thirds (69%) of people in Belfast are optimistic about a white Christmas this year. 

Hull comes next, with 75% of people more optimistic than they are pessimistic. People in Hull are the most optimistic about a hot British summer next year, with 60% of respondents saying this. In third place, Cardiff, where 71% of people are optimistic. The thing they are most optimistic about is living in their dream home one day, with 59% saying this. 

In Durham, also with 71% of its population with a ‘half glass full’ mindset, people are most optimistic about a hot British summer (58%). In Preston, where 67% of people are more optimistic than pessimistic, 64% of people are optimistic about their sports team winning the league. 

Brits feel the most optimistic when spending time with friends and family (39%) 

Rank	Reasons Brits Feel Optimistic	% people who feel optimistic because of this
1	Spending time with friends and family	39%
2	A good night’s sleep	29%
3	Warm weather	27%
4	Spending time in nature	24%
5	Exercise or physical activity	22%

The top reason people feel optimistic is spending time with friends and family, cited by 39%. A good night’s sleep follows at 29%, as feeling well-rested positively impacts mental and physical health. Warm weather comes next, mentioned by 27%.

Nature also plays a role, with 24% finding optimism in outdoor settings like parks or the countryside. Exercise, noted by 22%, enhances mood through endorphins and increased energy. Conversely, only 4% feel optimistic after receiving a compliment from their boss, and 5% find inspiration in online quotes.

Age and gender influence optimism sources: 41% of 55–64-year-olds feel uplifted by warm weather versus 15% of 18–24-year-olds. Meanwhile, 18-24 year olds are more likely to say they feel optimistic after spending time with friends and family (34%) and having a good night’s sleep (30%).

Less than two in five are confident they will stick to their New Years resolutions in 2025

Only 39% are positive they will stick to all of their 2025 New Year resolutions, suggesting that many Brits don’t feel hopeful. On the other hand, two in five Brits (41%) believe that manifestation works, and nearly half (47%) regularly manifest in the hope that their dreams will become a reality. A further two in five believe manifestation works regarding career goals. 

When asking Brits about their thoughts on karma, 71% believed in positive karma and 58% admitted that they will do a good deed with the expectation of something good happening to them in return.