Why young adults are lonelier than older people: the role of solo work

Alastair Greener FPSA Generational communication expert, author and President of the PSA UK and Ireland 2026 Published 5 October 2026 · 5 min read

Young adults in the UK feel lonely more often than people in their sixties. The Resolution Foundation found in August 2026 that 18 to 29 year olds are twice as likely as 60 to 69 year olds to report feeling often lonely (14% against 7%), and that paid work done alone, much of it from home, was the biggest driver of the rise in time young people spend by themselves.

Young adults, not older people, are "most likely to be lonely" in the UK, according to a Resolution Foundation report published on 12 August 2026. It found that 18 to 29 year olds are "twice as likely to report feeling often lonely (14 per cent compared to just 7 per cent)" as 60 to 69 year olds. The biggest driver of the rise in time young people spend alone is paid work done by themselves, much of it from home. That turns two common assumptions around, and it gives managers and older colleagues something practical to work on.

How lonely are young adults compared with older people?

The report, by Parth Pandya, uses the UK Time Use Survey for 2014 to 15 and 2023, and loneliness data from the Understanding Society study. In 2023, young men aged 18 to 29 spent "more than two-fifths of their waking hours alone", roughly six and a half hours a day, two hours more than in 2014 to 15. Young women's time alone rose by about an hour and a half, to roughly five hours a day.

Older people have moved the other way. The report found that the over-60s spent around an hour more on leisure with others in 2023 than in 2014 to 15. At the time of the 2023 survey, most 18 to 29 year olds were Gen Z and everyone aged 60 to 69 was a Baby Boomer.

14%of 18 to 29 year olds report feeling often lonely, against 7% of 60 to 69 year oldsResolution Foundation, August 2026

6.5 hoursa day spent alone by young men aged 18 to 29 in 2023, more than two-fifths of waking hoursResolution Foundation, August 2026

61%of workers aged 18 to 21 prefer working on their ownCommunication Habits and Preferences 2024

39%of Gen Z name a visit in person among their top three ways to wish a friend happy birthdayCommunication Habits and Preferences 2024

Why are young adults spending more time alone?

Phones are the usual suspect. The Resolution Foundation looked at screen time and found that solo work did more to increase time alone: Parth Pandya said that "time spent doing paid work by themselves was the biggest driver of rising hours spent alone". Working from home accounts for two-thirds of the rise in working time spent alone among people of working age, according to the report.

Our own research suggests this is more complicated than young people simply wanting to be left alone. In our 2024 survey of 4,067 people, 61% of workers aged 18 to 21 said they prefer working on their own. Yet 55% of Gen Z workers aged 22 to 27 who work from home at least some of the time said they are more productive at their workplace than at home, the highest of any age group.

We made a related point in 2024 about why Gen Z see little point in an empty office. Gen Z often want to come in, we argued, but see little reason to when their Millennial and Gen X managers are not there.

Does small talk still matter to younger generations?

It is easy to assume that younger people would rather message than talk. Our survey complicates that picture. Asked to pick their top three ways of wishing a friend happy birthday, 39% of Gen Z included visiting them in person, against 29% of Baby Boomers. Enjoying meeting new people barely varies by age either: among respondents aged 16 and over, 35% of Gen Z and 37% of Baby Boomers scored themselves 8 or more out of 10 on "I enjoy meeting new people".

Writing on LinkedIn in September 2026, Alastair argued that small talk matters to every generation and is something anyone can start, by looking up, saying hello and leaving room for an answer. Some organisations build that into public spaces. TransPennine Express, working with the Campaign to End Loneliness, has Chatty Benches at its stations, where travellers are encouraged to say hello to whoever is sitting there, "even if it's a comment on the weather". At work, older colleagues can make the first move, with a question and time to listen to the answer.

What can managers and older colleagues do about it?

Put people in the same place on the same days. The Resolution Foundation suggests "discussions within companies on synchronising when employees work from home to improve face-to-face contact". Anchor days only work if the people a junior colleague learns from turn up on them.

Don't leave new starters to work alone. Early in a career, a lot is learned by overhearing, asking a quick question and being included in small conversations. Pair new starters with someone for their first months, including someone from another generation, and check how many days they spend without speaking to a colleague.

Make room for small talk. A few minutes of conversation at the start of a meeting or a coffee away from the desk are cheap, and they are often where people of different ages find common ground. Ask people how they like to work, since some prefer quiet time, and offer more than one way to connect.

The podcast has explored this theme. Val Corbett, a networking advocate, talked about networking, isolation and creating connection. Our Generation Z guide sets out how Gen Z like to communicate at work.

Frequently asked questions

Which age group is the loneliest in the UK?

Young adults, on the Resolution Foundation's evidence. Its August 2026 report describes young people as "most likely to be lonely" and found that 18 to 29 year olds are twice as likely as 60 to 69 year olds to report feeling often lonely, at 14% against 7%. The analysis used the Understanding Society study, and it contradicts the common picture of loneliness as mainly a problem of old age.

Why are young people spending more time alone?

The Resolution Foundation found that paid work done alone was the biggest driver of the rise in time young adults spend by themselves, more than screen time. Working from home accounts for two-thirds of the rise in working time spent alone among people of working age. In 2023, young men aged 18 to 29 spent around six and a half hours a day alone.

Does working from home make young people lonely?

The evidence links working from home to more time alone, which is different from proving it causes loneliness. The Resolution Foundation found home working accounts for two-thirds of the rise in working time spent alone. It suggests that companies discuss synchronising the days people work from home, to improve face-to-face contact.

How can managers help younger colleagues feel less isolated?

Coordinate office days so that experienced colleagues are in when junior ones are. Pair new starters with someone for their first months, leave time for small talk in meetings, and ask each person how they like to work. In our 2024 survey, 61% of workers aged 18 to 21 prefer working on their own, so offer quiet time and company.

Hear guests aged from 15 to 90 talk about connection, work and communication on Alastair's podcast.

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