Young people are more likely to be lonely than elderly folk

Young people are more likely to be lonely than the elderly, according to a new report which shatters stereotypes.

Seven out of 10 people in the 18-24 age group said they feel lonely at least some of the time.

But the research by Whitestone Insight for the Centre for Social Justice found this was the case for just three in 10 over-75s.

Older people are winning the fight against loneliness by chatting with neighbours, volunteering and staying in touch with friends and family.

The CSJ’s new report, Lonely Nation, states: “Older people are the least lonely age cohort in Britain.”

The authors say there is “much to be learned from older people” in the battle against isolation.

Andy Cook, chief executive of the think tank, said: “Older people are more likely to have conversations with their neighbours, see members of their extended family, attend a community event, volunteer and have meaningful conversations with a friend or family member than the rest of the adult population.”

Across Britain, nearly six in 10 adults feel lonely at least some of the time.

While studies suggest that too much time on digital devices is harming young people’s mental health and making loneliness worse, “20 per cent of older people aged 65-plus who do not own smartphones say they are lonely, whereas only 15 per cent of older people aged 65-plus who own a smartphone say they are lonely”.

Mark Rowland, chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation, said: “While loneliness is a common experience, when it is long-term and enduring it can have a serious, detrimental effect on our mental health and it must be taken seriously.”

Those older people who are lonely can face “unique challenges”, according to the CSJ. It says that nearly six million older people struggle with loneliness.

Severe loneliness among the elderly, it adds, can cost health and social services more than £6,000 per person over a decade.

CSJ researcher Josh Nicholson said: “They are far more likely to be left behind by modern technology, isolated by cuts to public transport and dependent on family members for support and care.”