HALF of young British adults identify as naturists or nudists: Poll reveals surge in 16 to 24-year-olds enjoying activities without wearing clothes as campaigners claim ‘taboos and stigma are being eroded

• One in seven Britons now enjoys naturist (or nudist) activities in their spare time
• Almost half of young people are naturist compared to six percent of over 45s 
• Naturist societies say they hope this signals good future with fewer taboos 

Almost half of young adults in the UK now identify as naturists, according to a new poll, which also discovered one in seven Britons participate in naturism each year.

The figure is up significantly from the last major survey in 2011, which found six percent of Brits enjoyed stripping off in their spare time, less than half this year’s figure.

Experts say it is a hopeful sign for the future that younger people are tearing up ‘taboos’ over nudity. 

The biggest survey on nudism to ever take place in the UK, completed by Ipsos Mori, estimated that 6.75 million people engage in naturist activities such as sunbathing naked and swimming without a costume.

Half of young adults in the UK now identify as naturists, according to a new Ipsos Mori poll

Experts say the poll is a hopeful sign for the future that younger people are tearing up ‘taboos’ over nudity

Almost half of young British adults have taken part in naturalist activities such as skinny-dipping

The survey collated 2,500 responses from those aged 16 to 75

Around 2,500 people were surveyed in total, from age 16 to 75.

President of British Naturism Dr Mark Bass told the Guardian: ‘It turns out there’s a huge, hidden enthusiasm for nude recreation. Attitudes to nudity are changing with the taboos and stigma being eroded.

‘Modern society is weighed down by a body confidence crisis and more and more people are discovering the benefits that nudity brings to mental, emotional and physical health by allowing us to reclaim ownership of our identities.’

One possible reason for the huge jump in enthusiasm is the nature of this year’s survey: the first one taken online and anonymously by participants.

Previous polling has taken place face to face on the doorstep, which could lead to lower reporting figures.

Although naturism is often construed as ‘something old retirees do’ to quote Dr Bass, these new figures show by far the most comfortable with nudity are those aged 16-24.

This is compared to just six percent of those between the ages of 45 and 75.

Dr Bass said: ‘Younger people are diving into it far more than their elders have done. That gives us a lot of confidence in the future.’

Those who took part in the survey were asked whether they engage in various activities while naked with anyone besides their partner or family.

These included swimming and sunbathing, as well as going to a naturist beach or visited a clothes-optional club or resort.

Skinny-dipping was the most popular activity, with 21 percent of respondents saying they have done it.

Some young people are said to have taken up the trend after lockdown, after craving the freedom of the open air.

British Naturism’s membership rose by 2.5 percent during the pandemic. It has since seen more than 15,000 people attend its events across the country.

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