One in four Australians experience long-term loneliness, according to new findings from the national peak research body on loneliness.
Ending Loneliness Together asked more than 4000 Australians about persistent loneliness — feelings of loneliness lasting at least eight weeks.
Two in five 18 to 24-year-olds surveyed said they’d experienced persistent loneliness.
Financial hardship was found to be the leading cause of persistent loneliness and social isolation.
Here’s what else it found.
Study
The study by Ending Loneliness Together distinguishes “persistent loneliness” from “persistent social isolation,” with the latter referring to infrequent social contact for at least eight weeks.
The study found that 42% of young people (18-24) are affected by persistent loneliness, followed by 32% of middle-aged Australians (45-54) and 10% of older Australians (over 75).
Two in five unemployed Australians are persistently lonely.
Australia
The report found Tasmania had the highest level of persistent loneliness in Australia (38%), while the ACT had the lowest (20%).
It also found that 1 in 4 (26%) of Australians in metropolitan areas felt persistently lonely, compared to 1 in 3 (33%) living in rural and regional areas.
Factors
The report found persistent loneliness was largely driven by the cost of living, with those struggling financially nearly seven times more likely to be persistently lonely.
Australians with mental ill-health (including anxiety or depression) were almost three times more likely to experience loneliness.
Other vulnerable groups include those with chronic illnesses, individuals not in a relationship, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
“Australians aren’t just feeling lonely, they’re staying lonely. With more than a quarter of the population experiencing persistent loneliness, we need to think about how to better intervene…The most socially connected countries are those that prioritise connection at all levels and have a national strategy to address loneliness.”
Scientific Chair of ‘Ending Loneliness Together’, Associate Professor Michelle Lim in response to the new findings.
