There are things in life that are far more important than money.
And according to research, Britons in their 50s would agree with this claim, as they value their health far more highly than the size of their bank balance.
Yet despite this, one in four Generation X adults – born between 1965 and 1980 – say their health is 'poor' or just 'fair'.
Experts say the findings suggest middle-aged adults are 'struggling with the aspect of life most important to them'.
Researchers from University College London analysed data from some 8,000 people born in England, Scotland and Wales as part of the 1970 British Cohort Study.
Between 2021 and 2024, participants were asked to rate the importance of different aspects of life on a scale from one to ten.
Health came out on top with an average score of 9.3 across the group.
It was followed by friendships (8.9), marriage or partnership (8.7) and independence (8.6).
Britons in their 50s value their health far more highly than the size of their bank balance, research suggests
Having a fulfilling job (7.9) pipped the importance of owning a home (7.87) – which was also ahead of having children (7.5).
But the importance of money was much farther down the list at just 6.1.
'These insights reveal what matters most to Gen X as they reach their early 50s,' said the briefing paper's co-author, Dr George Ploubidis, a professor at the UCL Centre for Longitudinal Studies.
'While they value their health, a large proportion report physical and mental health difficulties, suggesting that some may be struggling with the aspect of life most important to them.'
The research revealed that just two in five respondents rated their health as 'excellent' or 'very good', while 26 per cent described it as 'fair' or 'poor'.
And stark differences about who felt healthier emerged between the richest and poorest participants.
Those with the highest incomes were more than twice as likely to report excellent or very good health compared with those in the lowest bracket (59 per cent versus 24 per cent).
Overall, around a third of mid-lifers said they were living with obesity, while almost one in ten said they had been diagnosed with diabetes.
Again, however, those from the lowest incomes were much more likely to be in ill health.
Some 13 per cent of people in the poorest group said they had diabetes compared with 5 per cent of the wealthiest.
The research then compared Gen X's health to that of baby boomers – those born between 1946 and 1964.
At the same age, half of baby boomers said their health was 'excellent' or 'very good', while they were also less likely to be obese or have diabetes.
The study highlighted a significant mental-health gap between men and women, too.
More than a quarter of Gen X women reported symptoms of psychological distress, compared with 15 per cent of men.
Women were also almost twice as likely to have spoken to a doctor about their mental health (42 per cent versus 23 per cent).
'Our study reveals deep inequalities among Gen X, with those from the lowest income households at greater risk of both physical and mental health difficulties,' research co-author Dr Vanessa Moulton said.
'The findings also show that more members of Gen X are in worse health in their early 50s than their baby boomer peers.
'Given the critical importance of midlife health and the rising demand for mental health support, this new evidence highlights the need for physical and mental health resources to reach those who need them most.
'Providing accessible, practical advice can help individuals improve their health in midlife, allowing them to age better, remain active and lead fulfilling lives.'