Two thirds of Gen Z adults do not know VE Day marks end of WW2, poll finds

Two thirds of Gen Z adults don’t know VE Day marks the end of the Second World War, a poll has found.

Ahead of VE Day commemorations on Friday, a new survey on behalf of the Royal British Veterans Enterprise (RBVE) found just 63% of adults in the UK recognise VE Day as marking the end of the Second World War in Europe, falling to 34% among Gen Z.

The RBVE said it shows “a gap in public understanding of military service past and present”.

The survey found four in five (80%) UK adults say VE Day is an important part of British identity, and 79% say it helps younger generations understand history.

But the Opinium poll of 2,052 adults revealed less than a quarter (23%) of the public believe younger generations understand the experiences of veterans, who continue to live with the impact of service.

The findings come as the RBVE launches its Still Serving campaign to mark the 81st anniversary of VE Day.

The portrait series of nine veterans shot by renowned British photographer Rankin acknowledges VE Day as “a powerful moment of national reflection”.

Published: 06/05/2026 by Radio NewsHub