New survey reveals Gen Z couples are most likely to argue about money compared to Baby Boomers

HSBC UK survey reveals Gen Z couples talk money more, but fight about it most 

• New research from HSBC UK reveals younger couples are more open about finances but face more disagreements.79% of Millennials discuss a budget for dates, compared to just 32% of Baby Boomers. 

• Despite being more open, 71% of Gen Z couples argue about money – the highest of any generation. 

• Millennials are willing to spend the most on a first date (£320), while Boomers are more frugal (£92). 

A generational divide is reshaping how UK couples manage their money, according to new research from HSBC UK. Millennials and Gen Z are more likely to discuss finances early in their relationships, yet they also report more arguments about money than older generations.  

The nationwide survey of 2,000 adults found that these differences appear from the very first date. While 36% of Brits consider spending £50–£100 a “reasonable” amount to impress, splitting the bill equally is now the most common approach (36%), followed by the person who initiated the date paying (15%). 

Younger generations are far more likely to talk about money. A clear majority of Millennials (79%) and Gen Z (71%) discuss a budget for dates and shared activities. In contrast, only 32% of Baby Boomers (aged 55+) have similar conversations, with nearly two-thirds (63%) believing such discussions are unnecessary.  

However, this increased communication comes with friction. Younger couples are the most likely to argue about finances, with 71% of Gen Z admitting to money-related disagreements, compared to just 43% of those over 55. This is despite 84% of Millennials stating that financial compatibility is important in a relationship – the highest of any age group. 

Interestingly, over a quarter of all couples (28%) say they don’t need to discuss money at any stage. This view is most common among 16–24-year-olds, with 38% agreeing. 

Money is playing a bigger role in how couples plan their lives together, whether that means setting a budget for everyday expenses or saving towards major milestones. HSBC UK offers a range of free tools and support to make those conversations easier, including its monthly savings calculator, joint savings features and access to expert guidance. 

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from research conducted by Censuswide on behalf of HSBC UK. The total sample size was 2000 UK adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 14 – 19th May 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).