More than Half of Brits are Lonely with Nearly Three-Quarters Hiding their Real Feelings
New national research exposes loneliness as one of the leading mental health issues in Britain across all ages
New research has found that over half of Brits today admit to being lonely with nearly three quarters keeping their feelings of isolation to themselves. The findings from a national survey of 3,000 UK adults, commissioned by shared living platform, COHO as part of their Loneliness Study revealed that 51% of people in Britain are lonely at least once a week with one in five too ashamed or embarrassed to admit their struggles.
Over 20% blame their current living situation on their isolation, including living with their parents or with people they don’t get along with.
The reluctance to talk spans all the age groups surveyed. Younger people feel lonely more often with one in five adults aged 26-35 experiencing loneliness daily, yet 63% admit to never talking about it. At the other end of the age spectrum, a quarter of adults aged 60+ report feeling lonely weekly, with a slightly higher proportion saying they keep their feelings to themselves.
According to the research, it’s not just friends, family and colleagues we’re not confiding in either. When it comes to seeking help for the symptoms linked to loneliness, including anxiety, depression and stress, a quarter say they have never sought any professional support. While loneliness is often framed as a generational issue, the data reveals a more nuanced picture. The emotional experience appears strikingly similar across all age groups with respondents feeling isolated, worried, low in mood and emotionally withdrawn – suggesting loneliness feels much the same whether someone is in their 20s or entering retirement.
But the drivers do vary by age. Mid-life loneliness is more commonly linked to mental health issues such as depression or anxiety, whereas younger adults are more likely to feel constrained by their living situation, particularly when living with parents or lacking independence.
Jamilah Simpson, a London-based professional in her mid-twenties, says: “After staying at home with my parents while most of my friends moved away for university, I started to feel really lonely. I went straight into full-time work after lockdown, and with limited social interaction outside of my family, it knocked my confidence and made me feel like I’d missed out on the social connections a lot of people build in early adulthood.”
Another young woman, Jade Chennells, a 25-year-old insurance technician from Cheltenham, says: “Living with my mum often felt really isolating, especially in the evenings and on days off. As an only child, that loneliness started to increase my anxiety and knock my confidence when meeting new people.”
COHO’s research highlights the damaging cycle between loneliness and mental health, with loneliness intensifying feelings of anxiety and depression, while existing mental health challenges can make people more likely to withdraw socially – deepening their sense of isolation over time.
Professor Andrea Wigfield, Director of the Campaign to End Loneliness and the Centre for Loneliness Studies at Sheffield Hallam University, says the findings reflect wider national and international research: “Loneliness and mental health are closely intertwined. Anxiety and depression can make people withdraw from social contact, increasing loneliness, while persistent loneliness can in turn lead to anxiety, depression, sleep problems and a loss of hope. Although loneliness is a normal human signal, when it becomes chronic it can have serious consequences for wellbeing.”
The cost of loneliness
As 42% say they have spent hundreds if not thousands of pounds on treatment, COHO’s findings also point to the pressure this epidemic is placing on support services – more than one in ten have sought NHS support, while a further 7% rely on charities.
Vann Vogstad, CEO and founder of COHO, says their report highlights loneliness as a widespread but often overlooked issue: “Our report shows that loneliness isn’t just an emotional challenge – it’s a hidden issue affecting people across the UK. Many are experiencing it regularly yet feel unable to talk about it.
“The findings reinforce that loneliness isn’t about age – it’s about circumstances. Where and how we live, who we live with, and how supported we feel all play a role. Shared living, when designed around genuine connection and compatibility, can help reduce loneliness – but only when it truly brings people together.”
Talking about her own house share experience, Jamilah added: “Moving into a house share with six to eight people has helped massively. Having other people around day to day helped reduce feelings of isolation and rebuild my confidence, while still giving me the personal space I needed to recharge.”
Similarly, Jade said: “I chose to move into shared accommodation for both financial and emotional reasons and living with others has helped me feel more connected and supported. It’s reassuring knowing there’s usually someone around to talk to after a difficult day, while still having my own space.”
Despite its prevalence, loneliness remains a private struggle for many. COHO’s research suggests tackling loneliness will require not only better mental health support, but broader conversations about housing, connection, and how people can feel more able to speak openly about their experiences.