The loneliest generations: a surprising truth about isolation across age groups
Loneliness isn’t just an issue for the elderly. In fact, new findings show that younger adults, particularly those in their 20s, can be the most susceptible to feeling isolated in many parts of the world.
Here’s what’s happening, and why it matters.
A vivid moment of loneliness
Adam Becket recalls a chilly October evening in 2021 when he was 26 and had just relocated to Bristol for a “dream job” in the race cycling world. Despite not being chronically alone, he felt like an outsider. As he walked home, the street buzzed with Halloween partygoers—the noise of pubs, people rushing to gatherings, and a world that seemed to move on without him. In that moment, loneliness felt uniquely intense. And for his generation, such moments can be disturbingly common.
New data on loneliness across ages
Recent Office for National Statistics (ONS) findings show that 33% of Britons aged 16–29 report feeling lonely “often, always, or sometimes,” the highest proportion among age groups (compared with 17% of those over 70). The World Health Organization’s review of studies worldwide finds a similar pattern: young adults and adolescents report the highest loneliness.
The picture is nuanced. In some places, loneliness among the very oldest (over 85) may rise to levels seen in 18–30-year-olds. But most research highlights young adults as a notably isolated group. Professor Andrea Wigfield, director of the Centre for Loneliness Studies at Sheffield Hallam University, notes that adults aged 18–24 are the most lonely, with older people following closely behind. This is a growing problem.
Why is this happening—and what can be done?
A key factor is the “scattering” of social networks in the modern world. Many twenty-somethings live in house-shares where they don’t know or don’t like their roommates. Work is increasingly remote, and daily interactions are often mediated by social media or messaging rather than in person. The internet does provide access to friendships worldwide, but it doesn’t always substitute for the depth of in-person connections.
The reality of early adulthood has long included instability—leaving family homes, forming new routines, and watching friendships drift as life changes. The scattering of connections makes it harder to build a reliable social support system, and loneliness can become persistent even when one’s life appears active on the surface.
The so‑called Bowling Alone effect
Beyond individual circumstances, broader social trends contribute to loneliness. In many wealthy nations, fewer people participate in civic institutions—churches, clubs, unions—than in the past. The shift toward greater individualism can erode the built-in support networks that once cushioned loneliness, especially for those without a settled family life. Professor Richard Weissbourd of Harvard describes contemporary adulthood as a time when social bonds are fragile and loneliness becomes a symptom of a culture that often falls short in caring for one another.
Personal stories of loneliness and the search for connection
Zeyneb, 23, who lives alone in Cheltenham, describes how loneliness spiked during her master’s program. With limited weekly teaching hours and family far away in Romania, meaningful connections felt scarce. She longed for a “third place”—a social space outside home and work or study, such as a park or library, where people congregate. The gym comes close, but headphones and a lack of eye contact deprive her of everyday social cues.
The paradox of urban house-shares
The rise of remote work is a double-edged sword for twenty-somethings. While a sizable share of young people now work from home, many still live in shared housing. Yet living with others doesn’t automatically fend off loneliness. For some, living with people they don’t connect with can amplify isolation, while for others, the absence of emotionally engaged roommates compounds the problem.
The smartphones and social media layer
Today’s twenty-somethings spend substantial time online—about six hours and twenty minutes daily for 18–24-year-olds in Britain, per Ofcom. It’s tempting to blame apps like Instagram or Snapchat for loneliness, but the evidence isn’t straightforward. Social media can intensify loneliness through “compare and despair”—seeing curated snapshots of others’ lives can provoke feelings of inadequacy. However, self-report surveys used to measure loneliness may also reflect a language that younger people are more likely to use when discussing mental health, potentially inflating observed loneliness levels somewhat.
What helps some people find connection
Stories of intervention offer a hopeful note. David Gradon, 29, began organizing park walks after his social circle tightened when friends moved away. His efforts evolved into The Great Friendship Project, a nonprofit that hosts social events for under-35s across London. For many, informal, low-pressure social activities can lower barriers to making friends and reduce loneliness.
What can be done at a community level
Efforts to address youth loneliness include expanding youth-focused programs that reach people in their early 20s. Funding is a critical bottleneck—local authority spending on youth services in England dropped dramatically between 2010/11 and 2023/24. Some experts argue that investing in “friendship services” can save healthcare costs in the long run, given the links between chronic loneliness, inflammation, and risks for cardiovascular disease and dementia later in life.
Health systems and social prescribing
The NHS has increasingly used social prescribing to connect patients with local community groups—arts classes, gardening projects, and other activities—that can bolster social ties. In 2023, more than a million people across ages were referred to such services. Yet access remains inconsistent, and the availability of local options varies by where you live and whether primary care providers know about them.
Hope on the horizon
There are signs of progress. Some employers are asking staff to return to offices, reducing the appeal of remote work for young people. A broader cultural shift away from social media is also visible among some leaders and influencers, though overall usage among young adults has yet to decline significantly.
People find unique remedies to loneliness, too. Zeyneb describes adopting a cat named Olive as a meaningful source of companionship that helps her feel less alone.
Bottom line
Loneliness among twenty-somethings is a real, multifaceted issue rooted in changes to work, housing, technology, and social life. While the problem is complex, practical steps—from building local, welcoming communities and supporting youth-focused programs to encouraging healthier digital habits and fostering in-person connections—can collectively reduce loneliness for this generation.
Would you agree that modern life’s structure is more isolating than it was a few decades ago? If you’re comfortable sharing, what has helped you or someone you know build meaningful connections in today’s world?
