Trends in greenspace use, socioeconomic inequalities and mental health benefits following COVID-19 from 2020 to 2025: a four-wave repeat cross-sectional study of UK adults

Introduction Greenspace use provides significant public health benefits and reduces health inequalities. The COVID-19 pandemic precipitated complex shifts in greenspace use patterns and associated socioeconomic inequalities. Monitoring post-COVID-19 greenspace usage patterns is essential to identify persistent inequalities, inform public health monitoring, guide urban development and support pandemic planning. The aim of this study was to examine socioeconomic patterns in greenspace use and its subsequent mental health benefits 5 years post-COVID-19 onset. Methods This study employed a four-wave repeat cross-sectional design sampling of 8646 UK adults across distinct time points (April 2020, November 2020, April 2021 and April 2025). Participants reported recent greenspace use, perceived mental health benefits, and demographic characteristics. Logistic regression models adjusting for age, gender, social grade and ethnicity were conducted, with survey weights applied to ensure national representativeness. Results Greenspace use in the previous 4 weeks demonstrated consistent upward trajectory from initial lockdown through postpandemic recovery (50% in April 2020, 66% by April 2021, reaching 85% by April 2025). Socioeconomic disparities in use persisted throughout this period, with wave 4 predicted probabilities of 90% for higher versus 80% for lower social grade participants. However, perceived mental health benefits remained equal across socioeconomic strata, with approximately 87% of users reporting mental health benefits from greenspace use. Conclusions Greenspace use demonstrated robust sustained growth following the initial pandemic phase, persisting through 5-year follow-up. The majority of users consistently acknowledge mental health benefits from greenspace use. These findings highlight the ongoing value of greenspace for mental well-being and underscore its relevance for urban planning and public health policy. While perceived benefits were equitable, usage disparities remain, warranting targeted strategies to promote access among underrepresented groups. Addressing these inequalities is essential to improve population health and advance UN Sustainable Development Goal 11, which promotes universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible greenspaces.