Social isolation and loneliness

Summary • Social isolation may lead to loneliness, but this is not always the case, with many people who live alone not reporting being lonely. Likewise, loneliness can still occur even in the presence of a rich array of social connections. • Social isolation and loneliness are linked to serious physical and mental health issues. They increase the risks of cognitive decline, dementia, frailty, and moving into a care home. • Younger adults (aged 16 to 64) report feeling lonely more often than older adults (aged 65 and over) in most local areas in England. • Poorer coastal communities in the North of England have the highest levels of loneliness in the country. • While some London areas show the highest levels of loneliness for older adults, some northern areas show the highest levels for younger adults. • When smaller areas are grouped into North, South, Midlands and East, older adults in the North are more likely to feel lonely than those in the South. • Older adults in the North are 23.3% more likely to feel lonely compared to those in the South. The higher risk in the North is linked to various factors that need attention. • Risk factors for loneliness, like being female, being part of an ethnic minority group, living alone, having poor health are particularly more noticeable among older adults in the North compared to other regions. However, having a disability does not have a stronger effect in the North than in other regions. • Belonging to a lower social-economic group does not significantly affect loneliness in the North, but it does in the Midlands and East. • Loneliness is not significantly linked to levels of education, area index of multiple deprivation, or physical activity in older adults.