Loneliness in Young Adults: The Role of NEET Status and Social Determinants in Norway

Abstract Background Loneliness, the gap between desired and actual social relationships, is a growing public health concern. Young adulthood (<30 years) marks a period of major life transitions, and failure to establish educational or occupational pathways, captured by the NEET (Not in Employment, Education, or Training) category, may heighten vulnerability to loneliness. Despite growing interest in loneliness, its predictors during this life stage remain understudied. This study examines how loneliness distribution among young adults in Norway, explores associations with NEET status across age, and identifies key social determinants. Methods Data from the 2021 Norwegian Counties Public Health Survey (N = 3936; 61% female; Mage = 23.6), in Southeastern Norway. 450 (11%) were NEET. Loneliness was measured using the three-item UCLA Loneliness Scale (M = 2.58, SD = 1.01). LOESS smoothing explored age trends, and multiple linear regression identified predictors. Results NEET individuals reported higher loneliness across all ages, peaking at 25 years, while non-NEET individuals showed stable or declining loneliness. Confidence bands did not overlap, and the largest mean difference (0.90 points) was observed at age 25. Key predictors were NEET status (β = .15, 95% CI [.07, .24]), female gender (β = .18, 95% CI [.13, .24]), low social support (β = -.25, 95% CI [-.13, -.10]), weak place attachment (β = -.18, 95% CI [-.08, -.05]), and poor subjective health (β = -.18, 95% CI [-.23, -.17]). Among socioeconomic variables, only subjective economic satisfaction (β = -.06, 95% CI [-.06, -.02]) was significant. Conclusions NEET status is a significant social determinant of loneliness among young adults. Public health actions should focus on strengthening social support networks, enhancing community belonging, and preventing NEET transitions to reduce loneliness. Addressing these factors may improve mental health outcomes and promote healthier developmental trajectories in young adulthood. Key messages • NEET status is a significant predictor of loneliness among young adults in Norway, peaking at age 25, highlighting the need for targeted public health interventions. • Strengthening social support networks and community belonging can mitigate loneliness and improve mental health outcomes for NEET individuals.