Only 18% of U.S. adults achieve their New Year’s resolution by mid-February. The research reveals why, showing structured goal tracking can improve adherence by 15 percentage points.
Key Takeaways
- 21% of adults in the U.S. said they do not set New Year’s resolutions at all
- In a 2015 study, higher income participants showed greater ability to keep at least some New Year’s resolutions than lower income participants
- 29% of U.S. adults aged 35–44 reported making a New Year’s resolution (2019 survey results)
- 28% of U.S. men reported making a New Year’s resolution (2019 survey results)
- In a 2019 randomized trial of a self-management program for weight control, adherence improved by 15 percentage points with structured goal tracking
- In a meta-analysis, self-monitoring was associated with improved behavior change outcomes (r = 0.24)
- In a review of behavior change techniques, feedback on performance is linked to improved goal achievement compared with no feedback (standardized mean difference about 0.44)
- In the context of New Year’s resolutions, a meta-analysis found a moderate positive relationship between goal specificity and performance (r = 0.25)
- In a meta-analysis, self-efficacy showed a moderate positive association with health behavior change (r ≈ 0.30)
- In a randomized controlled trial, participants who received implementation intentions achieved higher behavioral adherence than controls (OR > 1)
- In a widely cited psychological study, about 8% of people who make a resolution actually succeed
- A 2009 peer-reviewed study reported that goal intention strength predicts follow-through for New Year’s resolutions
- In a 2011 study, participants with concrete plans (implementation intentions) were more likely to follow through with intended behaviors than participants without concrete plans
- $3.0 billion expected U.S. consumer spending on weight-loss products/services during the New Year period in 2024 (seasonal uplift)
- 4.2% growth in U.S. digital health and fitness app revenues in 2023 as consumers adopted structured tracking behaviors commonly used in resolutions
Structured planning, specific goals, and tracking boost follow through, yet most adults never set resolutions.
Related reading
01 · Category
Behavior Prevalence1 stats
01
21% of adults in the U.S. said they do not set New Year’s resolutions at all
Interpretation
Behavior Prevalence Interpretation
Under the Behavior Prevalence angle, the fact that 21% of U.S. adults say they do not set New Year’s resolutions at all suggests a substantial share never even engages in the behavior, limiting how widely resolution efforts can spread.
02 · Category
Demographics & Differences6 stats
01
In a 2015 study, higher income participants showed greater ability to keep at least some New Year’s resolutions than lower income participants
02
29% of U.S. adults aged 35–44 reported making a New Year’s resolution (2019 survey results)
03
28% of U.S. men reported making a New Year’s resolution (2019 survey results)
04
Among U.S. respondents, 27% of those without college education reported making a New Year’s resolution (2019 survey results)
05
26% of unemployed U.S. adults reported making a New Year’s resolution (2019 survey results)
06
In a 2014 behavioral science paper, individuals with higher baseline motivation showed greater New Year’s resolution persistence (reported as a positive association)
Interpretation
Demographics & Differences Interpretation
Across demographic groups, New Year’s resolution-making varies noticeably, with 29% of U.S. adults aged 35–44 and 28% of U.S. men reporting resolutions in 2019, while only 27% of those without a college education and 26% of unemployed adults did, and the related studies also suggest higher income and higher baseline motivation make persistence more likely.
03 · Category
Behavioral Implementation6 stats
01
In a 2019 randomized trial of a self-management program for weight control, adherence improved by 15 percentage points with structured goal tracking
02
In a meta-analysis, self-monitoring was associated with improved behavior change outcomes (r = 0.24)
03
In a review of behavior change techniques, feedback on performance is linked to improved goal achievement compared with no feedback (standardized mean difference about 0.44)
04
In a randomized trial, participants who used habit formation interventions improved adherence by about 25% relative to controls
05
In a 2016 meta-analysis, behavior change techniques involving feedback and monitoring showed positive effects for physical activity (Hedges g around 0.30)
06
In a 2017 review, mHealth interventions for health behavior included goal setting and tracking features in the majority of studies evaluated (over half)
Interpretation
Behavioral Implementation Interpretation
Across behavioral implementation strategies, the clearest pattern is that structured tracking and feedback consistently move outcomes in meaningful ways, including a 15 percentage point adherence boost in 2019 and effect sizes around 0.24 to 0.44 where self monitoring and performance feedback are used.
04 · Category
Top Resolution Motives4 stats
01
In the context of New Year’s resolutions, a meta-analysis found a moderate positive relationship between goal specificity and performance (r = 0.25)
02
In a meta-analysis, self-efficacy showed a moderate positive association with health behavior change (r ≈ 0.30)
03
In a randomized controlled trial, participants who received implementation intentions achieved higher behavioral adherence than controls (OR > 1)
04
In a large study of goal pursuit, 62% of participants reported setting goals and trying to implement them as part of ongoing behavior change (including New Year-type resolutions)
Interpretation
Top Resolution Motives Interpretation
For the “Top Resolution Motives” angle, the strongest takeaway is that goal-related thinking is linked to better change, with goal specificity showing a moderate performance boost (r = 0.25), self-efficacy tied to health behavior change (r ≈ 0.30), and 62% of people already trying to implement their goals, especially through ongoing New Year-type resolutions.
05 · Category
Success & Failure Rates8 stats
01
In a widely cited psychological study, about 8% of people who make a resolution actually succeed
02
A 2009 peer-reviewed study reported that goal intention strength predicts follow-through for New Year’s resolutions
03
In a 2011 study, participants with concrete plans (implementation intentions) were more likely to follow through with intended behaviors than participants without concrete plans
04
In a 2012 study, participants using a structured goal-setting approach showed higher adherence to health goals than those using less structured approaches
05
In a 2014 meta-analysis, implementation intentions had a small-to-moderate positive effect on goal achievement (d ≈ 0.65)
06
In a 2018 review of behavior change interventions, goal-setting interventions produced improvements in target behaviors with an average standardized effect size (Hedges g) of about 0.47
07
In a 2015 meta-analysis of health behavior change, behavior change techniques that include goal-setting/improved planning showed beneficial effects (OR > 1)
08
In a study of health behavior, action planning and coping planning together improved follow-through outcomes compared with control conditions
Interpretation
Success & Failure Rates Interpretation
Across New Year’s resolutions, only about 8% succeed overall, but research shows that when people use stronger planning tools like implementation intentions and structured goal setting, adherence and goal achievement improve meaningfully, with meta-analytic effects around d 0.65 and Hedges g about 0.47.
More related reading
06 · Category
Economic & Market Impact8 stats
01
$3.0 billion expected U.S. consumer spending on weight-loss products/services during the New Year period in 2024 (seasonal uplift)
02
4.2% growth in U.S. digital health and fitness app revenues in 2023 as consumers adopted structured tracking behaviors commonly used in resolutions
03
6.1% of global health app downloads in 2023 were fitness/health tracker apps (a category aligned with New Year’s fitness resolutions)
04
In 2023, the global workplace wellness market was valued at $87.1 billion (frequently targeted to resolution-driven behavior change)
05
In 2022, the global personal finance software market was $6.4 billion (relevant to resolution-driven budgeting)
06
In 2024, the global weight loss market was valued at $305.6 billion (a market often stimulated by New Year weight-loss resolutions)
07
In 2023, the global fitness equipment market size was $26.7 billion (with annual demand influenced by New Year cycles)
08
In 2023, the global nutrition supplements market was $177.1 billion (diet-related resolutions contribute to demand)
Interpretation
Economic & Market Impact Interpretation
New Year’s resolutions are translating into sizable economic momentum, with the 2024 U.S. weight-loss products and services market expected to reach $3.0 billion during the season and global weight loss market value rising to $305.6 billion in 2024, showing how resolution-driven behavior change is powerfully shaping the Economic and Market Impact landscape.
07 · Category
Resolution Prevalence2 stats
01
44% of U.S. adults reported making a New Year's resolution (2017 survey)
02
41% of U.S. adults reported making a New Year's resolution (2016 survey)
Interpretation
Resolution Prevalence Interpretation
Under the Resolution Prevalence category, New Year’s resolution making is fairly steady but slightly up, rising from 41% of U.S. adults in 2016 to 44% in 2017.
08 · Category
Resolution Motivation6 stats
01
22% of U.S. adults reported starting to plan or work on their New Year's resolution in the first week of January (2022 survey)
02
56% of U.S. adults with a New Year's resolution said they plan to stick to it (2022 survey)
03
68% of U.S. adults who made a New Year's resolution said they set a goal for the resolution (2022 survey)
04
47% of U.S. adults with a New Year's resolution said they would like more motivation to help them stay with it (2022 survey)
05
51% of U.S. adults with a New Year's resolution said they are tracking their progress (2022 survey)
06
44% of U.S. adults with a New Year's resolution said they will ask for help to stay on track (2022 survey)
Interpretation
Resolution Motivation Interpretation
Even though 56% of people who make a New Year’s resolution say they plan to stick with it, 47% say they want more motivation and 44% want help staying on track, showing that motivation support is a key need within “Resolution Motivation.”
09 · Category
Outcomes And Follow Through1 stats
01
18% of U.S. adults with a New Year's resolution said they achieved their resolution by mid-February (2022 survey)
Interpretation
Outcomes And Follow Through Interpretation
For the Outcomes And Follow Through category, just 18% of U.S. adults with a New Year’s resolution reported achieving it by mid-February, showing how relatively few people follow through to a concrete outcome early in the year.
10 · Category
Market And Technology1 stats
01
38% of adults in the UK reported using a fitness app at least once in the last month (behavior supportive of resolution tracking)
Interpretation
Market And Technology Interpretation
In the UK, 38% of adults used a fitness app at least once in the past month, showing that market and technology adoption is already strong enough to support resolution tracking.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Christopher Morgan. (2026, February 13). New Years Resolutions Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/new-years-resolutions-statistics
MLA
Christopher Morgan. "New Years Resolutions Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/new-years-resolutions-statistics.
Chicago
Christopher Morgan. 2026. "New Years Resolutions Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/new-years-resolutions-statistics.
Sources & references
43 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+27 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)