Teaching is the third most popular career choice for pupils, a new survey has found.
One in eight pupils - 12 per cent - said they wanted to teach when they were older, the same proportion as those who wanted to be a social media influencer.
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Being a Premier League footballer topped the poll, with 14 per cent of children saying they aspired to play the sport professionally when they were older.
And in a year when communities have clapped to show support for the NHS, nearly a fifth of children - 19 per cent - said they wished to be a doctor or nurse when they were older. Becoming a doctor was the second most popular choice of career overall.
The pocket money survey by Halifax found just 3 per cent of children said they would like to be prime minister. It polled over 1,100 children between May 23 and June 5.
Emma Abrahams, head of savings at Halifax, said: “In a year that has seen the nation truly appreciate the heroic efforts of the NHS, it’s no wonder we are seeing many kids aspire to be a doctor or a nurse when they grow up.
“And while others dream of social media stardom or being a football star it’s good to start conversations about money early, so little ones really appreciate the importance of earning the pound in your pocket.”
Commenting on the survey, NHS national medical director Professor Stephen Powis said: “It’s often the stars of sport and screen who inspire children’s career choices so - after one of the toughest years in NHS history - it’s heartening and right to hear that almost a quarter of children have been motivated by the selfless commitment and hard work of NHS workers on the frontline line to make saving lives their ambition.
“The ‘Nightingale effect’ of the public seeing on TV day and night the relentless professionalism and compassion of NHS doctors and nurses during the first wave has clearly made a difference, not just to the 110,000 Covid-19 patients we cared for, but to the lives of young people who I look forward to welcoming into NHS careers in the years to come.”
The most desirable jobs based on the survey were as follows:
1. Premier League footballer, 14 per cent
2. Doctor, 13 per cent
3. Teacher, 12 per cent; Social media influencer, 12 per cent.
5. Police officer, 9 per cent
6. Firefighter, 6 per cent; Nurse, 6 per cent
8. Banker, 5 per cent
9. Paramedic, 5 per cent
10. Prime minister, 3 per cent
