Young people are the loneliest group in the UK, according to new research
- Neil Mckeown
- Mar 24
- 4 min read
One in three (37%) people aged 16 to 29 feel lonely “often, always or some of the time", figures reveal.
Psychologist: Young people "lack emotional support"
3.4m UK searches for “anxiety” per month
Women “becoming more anxious” than men
(Image: The rise in UK monthly searches for "anxiety")
Average ratings of feeling worthwhile are also lowest among 16 to 29-year olds, with 12% reporting a low level of feeling that things they "do in life are worthwhile". Other age groups report 6-9%.
Psychologist Dr Caroline Keenan said: “Younger people reporting more loneliness is a real concern. Despite being the most connected generation online, they may lack deep, in-person connections that provide real emotional support.”
Anxiety rising in last decade
Analysis of the most recent data (5 February to 2 March 2025), from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) by wellness firm Centre-You, shows one in four UK adults (26%) said they felt lonely “often, always or some of the time”. The highest percentage is those aged 16 to 29 (37%).
In terms of anxiety, women appear to suffer more than men, with 36% of women reporting “high anxiety yesterday”, compared to 29% of men. This shows a significant rise from the 2015 figures of 22% of women and 18% of men. Again, 16-29-year-olds report the highest figures - over one in three (38%).
Monthly searches for “anxiety” in the UK have gone from 718k in January 2008 to a high of 3.8m searches in March 2021, which is about 122k a day and a rise of 429%. The figure has remained around the same since.
It is a similar picture worldwide where searches have gone from 13m a month in 2008 to 50m a month now, a rise of 285%.
UK searches for “anxiety symptoms” have risen from 42k in January 2008 to a high of 220k in March 2021, a rise of 424%, and are currently around 170k a month.
Dr Keenan added: “The rise in anxiety and depression across the UK reflects a combination of wider world issues— economic uncertainty, climate concerns, and global conflicts.
“There are also local pressures, including the cost-of-living crisis, job insecurity, and stretched public services. Social media and the constant news cycles also play a role, amplifying stress and making it harder to disconnect.
“The gender difference in anxiety levels may stem from societal pressures, caring responsibilities, and differences in how men and women process and report emotions.”
Added stress for women
Looking at stress issues for women, recent research from Pregnant Then Screwed (PTS) found that up to 74k women every year lose their job because of getting pregnant or taking maternity leave - up 37% from 54k in 2016.
PTS launched a live “career shredder” to shred the CVs of mums in real time to highlight the problem. Earlier PTS research also found “more than half of pregnant women describe themselves as stressed or really stressed (56.6%)”.
Dr Keenan added: “The rise in anxiety and depression across the UK reflects a combination of wider world issues— economic uncertainty, climate concerns, and global conflicts.
“There are also local pressures, including the cost-of-living crisis, job insecurity, and stretched public services. Social media and the constant news cycles also play a role, amplifying stress and making it harder to disconnect.
“While the statistics highlight growing struggles, taking small, intentional steps can help boost resilience and protect mental wellbeing.
“Don't let not being able to do everything put you off doing anything. It's the small but consistent actions we take that add up to make a change.”
Case study: Liz Armitage, 53, an education manager from Stoke-on-Trent
I’ve always had insomnia. I worry at night - dwelling over tiny things. I thought everyone was like that. I wanted to be able to put my head down at night, in the same way I put a book down.
I'd worry about things that didn't deserve the amount of attention they were getting. I lay awake at night for two hours worrying about what to do with leftover broccoli.
I stood in Sainsbury's nearly crying because I couldn't decide which bread to get. When I eventually decided, on the bus home I was worrying that I'd got the wrong one.
I didn't know what I had was anxiety until I got the menopause two years ago and things got worse. I went to see a doctor and he said he felt there was more to it. Just giving it a name made me feel better.
Since going on HRT, my anxiety has returned to what I see as normal, acceptable, levels.
I self-help with little things, such as drinking less alcohol, getting more fresh air, doing more exercise and reading fiction. I feel so much better when I read fiction and put my phone down, but there’s still underlying anxiety.
Social media is very addictive, but it isn't spoken about in the same way as other socially-acceptable addictions, such as our alcohol or gambling.
Dr Keenan’s self-help tips:
Limit doomscrolling: stay informed, but set time limits on news and social media.
Small wins matter: focus on daily routines and self-care.
Prioritise connection: even a quick chat with neighbours can help combat loneliness.
Get outside: nature and movement have well-documented benefits for mental health.
Talk about it: sharing how you feel can ease the burden.
ends
Notes
Methodology:
Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS), released 21 March 2025, ONS website, statistical bulletin, Public opinions and social trends, Great Britain: February 2025.
Data taken from:
Using google trends, searches were carried out - where possible - using “topic” rather than “search term” as this takes in more data, allowing for variances of spelling etc. Search/trends figures correct as of 21 March 2025.
PTS career shredder: https://www.youtube.com/live/OKsWbSeq78A
For more information please contact:
Neil Mckeown
07883 014432
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