Levels of loneliness in the UK have increased since spring 2020. According to the Office for National Statistics between 3rd April and 3rd May 2020, 5% of people (about 2.6 million adults) said that they felt lonely “often” or “always”. From October 2020 to February 2021, results from the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (OPN) noted that the proportion increased to 7.2% of the adult population roughly about 3.7 million adults.
Mapping trends across the country also showed the types of places where a higher proportion of people felt lonely often or always, and differences in personal well-being. Areas with a higher concentration of younger people (aged 16-24 years) and areas with higher rates of unemployment tended to have higher rates of loneliness during the study period (October 2020 to February 2021).
Local authorities in countryside areas also had a lower loneliness rate than urban, industrial, or other types of area. Living in a single-person household, difficulties with relationships caused by the pandemic, and not having anyone to talk to have also contributed to experiences of loneliness. Previous research during the pandemic found nearly two-thirds of students have reported a worsening in their mental health and well-being.
