Four in 10 (40 per cent of) adults in the ACT say they are lonely – the highest rates of any jurisdiction in the country – compared to the national average of 32 per cent, a new report finds.

Australia’s first State of the Nation Report into Social Connection has revealed that nearly one in three adults (32 per cent) say they are lonely, while one in six (17 per cent) are reporting severe loneliness; putting them at a higher risk of lower workplace productivity, poor physical and mental health, and chronic disease.

National organisation, Ending Loneliness Together (ELT), surveyed more than 4,000 adults between June and July, and found ACT residents, younger Australians (18-24) and middle-aged people (45-54) are the loneliest in the country.

Rural Australians are reporting higher levels of loneliness than those living in metropolitan areas (35 per cent compared to 30 per cent) while those living in the ACT (40 per cent), Tasmania (37 per cent) and Queensland (35 per cent) had the highest proportions of people who were lonely.

The results show that despite one in three Australians feeling lonely, we’re not talking about it, which highlights the stigma and misconceptions associated with loneliness. This has led to the launch of Australia’s first Loneliness Awareness Week, 7-13 August.

This year’s theme, “Lonely, Not Alone” was chosen because: Loneliness affects people from all walks of life; You don’t have to be alone to feel lonely – you can be surrounded by people and still feel lonely; If you do feel lonely, it doesn’t mean there is something wrong with you. It’s our cue to connect – and there is help available.

ELT has been working with its partners AIA, Bolton Clarke, Frasers Property and Medibank, to build an evidence base and develop the tools to address and help combat the growing issue of loneliness in Australia.

Who is lonely?

Forty-two per cent of Australians believe that loneliness only affects older people (aged 65 and above), but it’s younger and middle-aged Australians who are reporting the highest levels of loneliness in 2023.

The ELT survey found that almost one in four 18-24-year-olds (22 per cent) always feel lonely, compared to one in six people aged 25-34 years and 35-44 years (15 per cent). Almost one in five 45-54-year-olds (18 per cent) always feel lonely, compared to 14 per cent of 55-64-year-olds, 11 per cent of older Australians (65-74), and five per cent of those aged 75 years and older. More than one in three carers (37 per cent) say they always feel lonely.

Three out of 10 Australian men and women (32 per cent and 30 per cent respectively) reported severe loneliness.

More than half (56 per cent) of those aged over 65 said they never or hardly feel lonely, compared to just 16 per cent of those aged 18-24.

Rural versus metropolitan

The ELT report finds there are more lonely people living in rural areas (35 per cent) compared to Australian metropolitan areas (30 per cent).

Most Australian states and territories have reported similar levels of loneliness, however, those living in the nation’s capital have the highest levels, while NT residents have the lowest:

• ACT 40 per cent
• Tasmania 37 per cent
• Queensland 35 per cent
• South Australia 33 per cent
• Victoria 31 per cent
• West Australians 32 per cent
• New South Wales 29 per cent
• Northern Territory 16 per cent

Misconceptions and social stigmas

According to the report, the stigma associated with loneliness is preventing people from talking about it and seeking the connections they want.

More than half of all Australians (58 per cent) who feel lonely don’t talk to others about it.

One in three Australians (31 per cent) say they are ashamed when they feel lonely, 46 per cent are too embarrassed to admit it to others, and nearly one in two (49 per cent) say they would conceal their loneliness.

Despite being highly prevalent in our society, ELT says loneliness is still widely misunderstood.

Almost half of Australians (47 per cent) believe people would feel less lonely if they just “knew more people” and 42 per cent wrongly believe that loneliness only affects older people aged 65 and above.

One in four Australians (27 per cent) believe making new friends should “always be easy”, while nearly one in two (46 per cent) describe people who are lonely as having negative traits. A quarter of Australians (25 per cent) think people who are lonely are “less worthy” than others, and 12 per cent believe there is “something wrong” with people who are lonely.

Almost three in 10 Australians (29 per cent) think their community sees loneliness as a sign of weakness.

Health and wellness impact

According to ELT, loneliness is a huge risk factor when it comes to poor health, chronic disease, wellbeing and lower workplace productivity.

Australians who feel lonely are: twice as likely to have chronic disease; almost five times more likely to have depression; four times more likely to have social anxiety; more likely to have a social media addiction; five times more likely to have poorer wellbeing; less engaged in physical activity; and less productive in the workplace.

Where to from here?

Ending Loneliness Together is a national network of organisations committed to providing greater understanding, research and tools to help all Australians understand and address loneliness in themselves and others.

The majority (69 per cent) of Australians already recognise that loneliness is a serious issue for our community and 30 per cent say they are knowledgeable when it comes to helping others who are feeling lonely.

However, when asked who should help someone feeling lonely, Australians have mixed opinions: 75 per cent believe the responsibility lies with family and friends; 60 per cent believe the responsibility is with health care and social community providers; 46 per cent believe the community where the individual lives should be responsible; 40 per cent believe the person who is feeling lonely should help themselves; and 40 per cent believe their co-workers and classmates have a responsibility to help.

For more information, visit endingloneliness.com.au

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