The UK Stops Learning at 51 as Over a Million 45-60-Year-Olds Wish They Could Go Back to School

1 in 10 45–60 year olds say they haven’t learnt anything new in the past year, in stark contrast to the 58% of 18-25 year olds who learn something different every week

Yet over a million wish they could go back to school, showing they’re not done with the education system just yet

To launch the sixth annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition for aspiring young innovators, Samsung sent actor and presenter Larry Lamb back to school to learn how young people are using technology to positive impact society

LONDON, U.K. – 5 November, 2025 – 51 is the average age Brits actively stop learning, according to new research from Samsung, to mark the launch of its sixth annual Solve for Tomorrow tech-for-good competition.

A tenth of Gen X (aged between 45 and 60) say they haven’t learnt anything new in the past year, in stark contrast to the 58% of Gen Z who learn something different every week.

Still, over a million Gen X wish to go back to school, showing they are not finished with their education just yet. 47% say this is because they want to learn about upcoming technologies such as AI, and 31% feel they have an idea they would love to bring to life.

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is a free, curriculum-linked programme that empowers 11–18-year-olds to design new solutions to help solve real-world problems using technology. With over a million adults aged 45–60 keen to return to the classroom, Samsung sent actor and presenter Larry Lamb back to school to explore how creativity and innovation can unlock new ways of thinking across generations.

In a new film, Larry’s perceptions of what young people get up to in school are flipped on their head. Lamb joined a group of students from Wembley High Technology College to brainstorm his own tech-for-good idea and discover how students use technology as a tool to make positive societal impact.

Speaking about his experience, Lamb said: “I’ll be honest, it caught me off guard how inspiring some of these young people are. I didn’t have access to competitions like Samsung Solve for Tomorrow when I was younger, and as I’m older, I find myself wishing initiatives like this were available to me. I started the day with a pretty clear idea of what I thought young people did in school, but that completely changed when I saw the incredible impact they’re capable of making, not just for the world today, but for our future too.

“Opportunities like this give young people more space to apply practical skills and make a change in the world. Whether it’s you, your kids, grandkids, or anyone else you know under 18, I’d urge you get them involved to help invent the future.”

This year’s competition focuses on three exciting themes: Smarter sport (tech that makes sport more fun, inclusive and high performing), Greener future (tech that protects our planet and supports sustainable living), and Safer online (tech that helps us stay connected, confident and in control). With tech prizes, work experience opportunities, and the chance to showcase student ideas on the iconic Piccadilly Circus big-screen, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is a national competition designed to spark innovation in every classroom.

Commenting on the competition launch, Soohyun Jessie Park, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Samsung UK, said: “It was an extremely rewarding experience working with Larry for Solve for Tomorrow this year and seeing him interact and collaborate so our wonderful students at Wembley High. It was lovely to know that he came away from the experience with a much more informed opinion on what children today can learn in school and also how technology in young people’s hands can be a force-for-good when shaping the future with innovation.

“Our previous research shows that 85%** of young people believe a career in technology would allow them to contribute positively to society and we believe very young person deserves to feel like this. To recognize the need to support our next generation of innovators from a younger age, Solve for Tomorrow this year will be focusing on supporting school-aged children and young people, offering opportunities to access skills workshops, mentoring from Samsung and winning tech prizes and work experience opportunities.”

Applications are now open for young people aged 11–18 across the UK and Ireland to take part in the competition. Visit samsung.com/uk/solvefortomorrow to find out how schools can get involved and access free educational resources.