Loneliness Statistics 2026: 50+ Eye-Opening Facts About Social Isolation

Last Updated: January 2026

How many people are lonely? More than you might think. According to a 2025 APA poll, 1 in 3 Americans reports feeling lonely at least once a week. The Cigna Group's Loneliness in America survey found that 57% of Americans experience loneliness—more than half the adult population.

These aren't just numbers. They represent millions of people going through their days feeling disconnected, unseen, and alone. This comprehensive collection of loneliness statistics reveals the full scope of what health officials now call a public health epidemic.

Key Loneliness Statistics at a Glance

Here are the most important loneliness statistics you need to know:

57% of Americans report experiencing loneliness (Cigna, 2025)
1 in 3 Americans feels lonely at least weekly (APA, 2025)
1 in 6 people worldwide experience significant loneliness (WHO, 2025)
4 in 10 adults over 45 are lonely, up from 35% in 2018 (AARP, 2025)
79% of adults aged 18-24 report feeling lonely (various studies)
26% increased risk of premature death from social isolation (National Academies)
~871,000 deaths globally attributed to loneliness annually (WHO estimate)

United States Loneliness Statistics

Overall Prevalence

The United States has seen a significant rise in loneliness over the past decade:

| Metric | Percentage | Source | |--------|------------|--------| | Americans experiencing loneliness | 57% | Cigna Loneliness Index 2025 | | Feel lonely at least weekly | 33% | APA Poll 2025 | | Report chronic loneliness | 21% | Harvard Making Caring Common | | Feel "invisible" or overlooked | 58% | Science of People Survey | | Adults 45+ who are lonely | 40% | AARP 2025 |

In 2024, approximately 20% of U.S. adults reported feeling lonely "a lot of the day yesterday," according to Gallup data—equating to around 52 million individuals experiencing loneliness on any given day.

Historical Trend

Loneliness has been steadily increasing:

2010: 35% of adults 45+ reported loneliness (AARP)
2018: 35% of adults 45+ reported loneliness (AARP)
2025: 40% of adults 45+ reported loneliness (AARP)

This represents a 14% increase in loneliness among older adults in just seven years.

Loneliness Statistics by Age

Contrary to stereotypes about lonely elderly people, loneliness actually peaks among young adults and decreases with age.

Young Adults (18-34)

Young adults report the highest rates of loneliness across all age groups:

79% of adults aged 18-24 feel lonely
71% of millennials report feeling lonely
22% of adults under 50 say they "often" feel lonely, compared to just 9% of those 50+
60% of college students report feelings of isolation
70.3% of LGBQ+ college students report isolation

According to Gallup's global research, young adults aged 18-34 consistently report the highest loneliness levels worldwide. The U.S. stands out because young American men have significantly higher loneliness rates than their peers in most other developed countries.

Middle-Aged Adults (35-54)

Adults at the younger end of the 45+ spectrum experience higher loneliness rates
Loneliness tends to decrease with age, higher education, and greater household income
Work-related isolation and caregiving responsibilities peak in this age range

Older Adults (55+)

17% of adults 65+ report feeling "very or fairly lonely" globally—the lowest of any age group
66% of adults 65+ say they "hardly ever or never" feel lonely
However, social isolation risk increases with age due to loss of spouse, friends, and mobility
1 in 3 seniors lives alone
43% increase projected in UK adults 50+ experiencing isolation by 2025 (vs. 2016)

Loneliness Statistics by Gender

Recent data has revealed a shift in gender patterns around loneliness.

Men

42% of men over 45 experience loneliness (AARP 2025)—higher than women for the first time
Young American men report significantly higher loneliness than young men in most other countries
The U.S., Iceland, and Denmark are the only three countries where young men's loneliness exceeds other demographic groups
Men tend to rely more heavily on romantic partners for emotional support, making divorce or widowhood particularly isolating
Cultural expectations around masculinity discourage men from expressing vulnerability or seeking connection

For more on this topic, see our detailed guide on the men's loneliness crisis.

Women

37% of women over 45 experience loneliness (AARP 2025)
Women typically maintain broader friendship networks than men
New mothers face particularly high isolation: 66% of parents say parenting is lonely
Single mothers report higher loneliness rates than single fathers

Gender Parity (or Lack Thereof)

Pew Research Center's 2025 study found no statistically significant gender difference in chronic loneliness—16% of men vs. 15% of women report feeling lonely "all or most of the time." The discrepancy with other surveys may reflect different measurement approaches and age groups studied.

Loneliness Statistics by Race and Ethnicity

Loneliness affects racial and ethnic groups differently:

| Group | Loneliness Rate | Comparison to Average | |-------|-----------------|----------------------| | Hispanic adults | 75% | +17 points above average | | Black adults | 68% | +10 points above average | | General population | 58% | Baseline |

These disparities likely reflect compounding factors including economic stress, discrimination, geographic segregation, and historical disinvestment in community infrastructure.

Loneliness Statistics by Sexual Orientation

LGBTQ+ individuals face elevated loneliness rates:

34.7% of sexual minorities experience significant loneliness regardless of gender
13-24% of sexual minority men experience loneliness "most or all of the time" (Canada)
70.3% of LGBQ+ college students report feelings of isolation
Factors include family rejection, discrimination, smaller social networks, and geographic isolation from LGBTQ+ communities

Loneliness in Specific Populations

Remote Workers

50% of remote workers experience loneliness regularly
Remote workers report missing casual watercooler conversations and spontaneous collaboration
Hybrid workers report lower loneliness than fully remote workers

Read more in our guide on remote work loneliness.

Caregivers

40-70% of caregivers experience depression symptoms, often tied to isolation
72% of adult caregivers ages 18-32 report loneliness
59% of adult caregivers ages 45-64 report loneliness
Younger caregivers experience significantly more isolation than older caregivers

Night Shift Workers

15 million Americans work night shifts
33% higher risk of depression among shift workers
"Social jet lag" makes it difficult to maintain relationships when awake during others' sleeping hours

New Parents

66% of parents say parenting feels lonely
New mothers particularly vulnerable during first year postpartum
Dad loneliness often overlooked: many fathers report losing friends after having children

Global Loneliness Statistics

Worldwide Overview

The World Health Organization's Commission on Social Connection found:

1 in 6 people worldwide experience significant loneliness
~24% of adults globally (ages 15+) report feeling "very lonely or fairly lonely"
Loneliness affects all regions, but is most common among adolescents and young adults
871,000 deaths annually attributed to loneliness (WHO estimate)—approximately 100 deaths per hour

By Country

Countries with highest loneliness rates:

| Country | Loneliness Rate | |---------|----------------| | Brazil | 50% | | Turkey | 46% | | India | 43% | | Saudi Arabia | 43% | | United States | ~35-40% |

Countries with lowest loneliness rates:

| Country | "Not Lonely" Rate | |---------|------------------| | Netherlands | Highest | | Japan | Among lowest loneliness | | Germany | Among lowest loneliness | | Russia | Among lowest loneliness | | China | 26% became lonelier (vs. 40%+ elsewhere) |

Regional Patterns

Asia: Varies widely; Japan has low reported loneliness but high social isolation
Europe: Northern European countries generally report lower loneliness
Latin America: Higher loneliness rates despite traditionally family-oriented cultures
Africa: Limited data, but urbanization appears to be increasing isolation

Health Impact of Loneliness Statistics

Loneliness isn't just an emotional experience—it has measurable health consequences.

Physical Health Risks

According to the National Academies of Sciences, social isolation increases risk of:

| Health Outcome | Increased Risk | |----------------|---------------| | Premature death (all causes) | 26% | | Heart disease | 29% | | Stroke | 32% | | Dementia | 50% |

The U.S. Surgeon General's 2023 advisory stated that the mortality risk from chronic loneliness is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes daily.

Mental Health Risks

People experiencing loneliness are 2x more likely to develop depression
Social isolation increases risk of anxiety disorders
Loneliness is a significant risk factor for suicide
Cognitive decline accelerates in socially isolated older adults

Economic Impact

Lonely employees take more sick days and are less productive
Healthcare costs for socially isolated individuals are significantly higher
UK estimate: loneliness costs employers £2.5 billion annually
U.S. Medicare spending increased by $6.7 billion due to social isolation among older adults

What's Causing Loneliness? Statistics on Contributing Factors

When AARP asked Americans what contributes to loneliness, responses included:

| Factor | Percentage Who Agree | |--------|---------------------| | Technology | 73% | | Families not spending enough time together | 66% | | People working too much / too busy | 62% | | Mental health challenges | 60% |

Social Trends

70% decline in in-person social interaction among young people over the past 20 years
Single-person households have more than doubled since 1960
Church attendance and civic participation have declined steadily
"Third places" (community gathering spots) have largely disappeared

Technology's Role

The relationship between technology and loneliness is complex:

Heavy social media users often report higher loneliness, not lower
Passive scrolling correlates with worse mental health outcomes
Active engagement (posting, messaging) has better outcomes than lurking
Video calls don't fully substitute for in-person interaction
However, technology can help maintain long-distance relationships and find communities

Loneliness Statistics Over Time

Historical Context

1985: Americans reported having an average of 3 close confidants
2004: That number dropped to 2 close confidants
2021: Many Americans report having no close confidants at all

COVID-19 Impact

The pandemic accelerated loneliness trends:

Initial lockdowns spiked loneliness across all demographics
Young adults showed the largest increases in loneliness
Some older adults actually reported decreased loneliness (more family contact via technology)
Post-pandemic, loneliness levels have remained elevated above pre-2020 baselines

Solutions: What Statistics Show Works

Research indicates effective interventions include:

Social skills training: Helps those who struggle with connection
Cognitive behavioral approaches: Address negative thought patterns about social situations
Increased social opportunities: Community programs, clubs, regular activities
Quality over quantity: Deep friendships matter more than many acquaintances
Consistent contact: Regular, repeated interaction builds relationships

Studies suggest it takes approximately: - 50 hours of interaction to move from acquaintance to casual friend - 200 hours to become close friends

Frequently Asked Questions About Loneliness Statistics

How is loneliness measured in studies?

Most loneliness research uses validated scales like the UCLA Loneliness Scale (20 questions) or shorter versions. Some surveys simply ask about frequency of feeling lonely. Different measurement approaches can produce varying results.

Is loneliness increasing or are we just more aware of it?

Both. Awareness has increased significantly since the Surgeon General's 2023 advisory. But objective measures of social isolation (single-person households, declining civic participation, less in-person time) have been trending upward for decades.

Are young people really lonelier than older people?

Consistently across studies, yes. Young adults (18-34) report the highest loneliness rates. This may reflect developmental stage (building identity, establishing independence) and the particular challenges of coming of age in the smartphone era.

Is social media making loneliness worse?

The research is mixed. Passive social media use (scrolling, comparing) correlates with increased loneliness. Active use (posting, engaging, messaging) shows neutral or slightly positive effects. The platforms' design—optimizing for engagement rather than connection—may contribute to negative outcomes.

What's the difference between loneliness and social isolation?

Social isolation is objective—having few social contacts or spending little time with others. Loneliness is subjective—feeling disconnected regardless of actual social contact. You can be isolated without feeling lonely, and lonely without being isolated.

Methodology Notes

Statistics in this article are drawn from peer-reviewed research and major surveys including:

AARP Loneliness and Social Connections Survey (2025)
Cigna Loneliness Index (2025)
Harvard Making Caring Common Study
American Psychiatric Association Poll (2025)
Pew Research Center Social Trends (2025)
Gallup World Poll
World Health Organization Commission on Social Connection (2025)
U.S. Surgeon General Advisory on Social Connection (2023)
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Different surveys use different methodologies and definitions, which can produce varying results. Where possible, we note the source and methodology for each statistic.