New Study: The Rise of Loneliness Among Older Adults

Growing older brings meaning and fulfillment — but it also comes with shifting relationships, health changes, and new responsibilities. If you’re feeling lonelier than you used to, you’re far from alone.

A new survey from AARP finds that 4 in 10 U.S. adults age 45 and older are lonely, signaling a continued and growing public health concern.

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Loneliness Is Persisting — and Rising

The latest AARP survey, conducted in August 2025, polled 3,276 U.S. adults age 45 and older. The takeaway is clear: loneliness isn’t just lingering— it’s increasing. While 35% of adults reported loneliness in both 2010 and 2018, that figure rose to 40% in 2025.

To better understand the issue, researchers used two measures.  The first assessed perceived loneliness, asking participants how often they feel lonely or isolated. That figure has remained relatively stable over time, with about 1 in 3 adults (33%) saying they feel lonely “always” or “sometimes.” For many, loneliness is long-lasting: 38% report feeling lonely for six years or more, and 26% say it has persisted for more than a decade.

The second measure assessed actual loneliness using the UCLA Loneliness Scale, a validated 20-item questionnaire that captures subjective feelings of social isolation through prompts such as “How often do you feel that you lack companionship?” or “How often do you feel that there is no one you can turn to?”

This measure revealed a deeper issue. While 33% perceive themselves as lonely, 40% meet the criteria for loneliness on the UCLA scale—suggesting many people may not fully recognize shrinking social connections, or the need to rebuild them.

Who Are More Likely to Be Lonely

Among adults age 45 and older, loneliness is most common among those at the younger end of the spectrum.

Rates peak among adults ages 45–49 (49%) and remain high among those 50–59 (45%), before steadily declining with age — a pattern that has held since 2010. The data suggests that midlife may be a particularly vulnerable period for loneliness.

Debra Whitman, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Public Policy Officer, explained that midlife often comes with competing demands — from sustaining a career to raising children and caring for aging parents. As time and energy are redirected, social circles can gradually shrink. “These pressures can increase stress and offer fewer chances to meaningfully connect with others,” she said.

That strain shows up in family structure data. About 13% of adults age 45 and older are part of the “sandwich generation,” meaning they have both living parents and children under 18 — an arrangement that can intensify time pressure and further limit opportunities for social connection.

A notable shift also emerged in 2025: men are now significantly more likely to be lonely than women. Loneliness affects 42% of men, compared with 37% of women, reversing the near parity seen in earlier surveys. This gap aligns with lower rates of community engagement among men, who are less likely than women to attend religious services, volunteer, or participate in local groups.

Other groups more likely to report loneliness include:

• LGBTQ+ adults (46%)
• Adults with less than a college education
• Non-working adults (57%), compared with retirees (37%) and working adults (40%)
• Those reporting fair or poor health (59%)
• Adults managing one or more mental health conditions (58%)

The Causes of Loneliness Aren’t Always Clear

When asked what drives their loneliness, most lonely adults (62%) say there is no single, identifiable cause.

Among the remaining 37% who could point to a reason, loneliness often stemmed from a mix of overlapping challenges, including:

• Loss or bereavement (29%)
• A sense of disconnection or lack of support (26%)
• Physical or mental health challenges (19%)
• Separation from loved ones due to moves, retirement, or relationship conflict (12%)

These findings suggest that loneliness is rarely triggered by one event. It often builds gradually as relationships change or fade.

Key Drivers of Loneliness

To better understand what puts people at risk, researchers used a statistical model examining factors ranging from demographics to health and sense of community.

One of the strongest predictors was social network size. Simply put, the smaller a person’s network, the more likely they are to be lonely. Nearly 3 in 10 adults (29%) report having fewer friends than they did five years ago — a figure that jumps to 45% among lonely adults.

Major life transitions also play a role. Events such as children leaving home, retirement, or the loss of loved ones are common across older adulthood. However, what differs is relationship maintenance. Lonely adults are less likely to stay closely connected with adult children, friends who have moved away, or former colleagues after retirement.

The findings also underscore the importance of staying socially connected. In a press release, Heather Nawrocki, Vice President of Fun & Fulfillment at AARP, said the research highlights how maintaining ties with family, friends, and the broader community is just as essential to health as eating well and exercising. “Solid social networks aren’t just nice to have — they’re essential for combating loneliness and supporting overall well-being,” she added.

At the same time, civic and community engagement has steadily declined. Compared with 2010, adults age 45 and older are now less likely to volunteer, attend religious services, or belong to community groups—further shrinking opportunities for meaningful connection.

Lonely adults are even less likely than their non-lonely peers to engage civically. For example, only about 27% of lonely adults attend religious services at least monthly, compared with roughly 41% of adults who are not lonely. Similar gaps appear for volunteering (about 27% vs. 38%) and belonging to a local community organization (around 17% vs. 25%).

“Solid social networks aren’t just nice to have — they’re essential for combating loneliness and supporting overall well-being.” — Heather Nawrocki, VP of Fun & Fulfillment at AARP

How Lonely Adults Cope

On average, adults age 45 and older spend about 5.6 hours a day alone. For lonely adults, that number rises to 7.3 hours.

When coping with loneliness, lonely adults tend to rely more on solitary activities such as watching TV, surfing the internet, or scrolling on social media. They are less likely to cope by meeting friends in person, going out with family, or even reaching out by phone or online — choices that may unintentionally reinforce isolation.

Technology: A Double-Edged Sword

Technology plays a complicated role. For adults who are already socially engaged, it can be a powerful connector.

Fifty-seven percent of adults rely on technology to stay in touch, and this group reports larger social networks (an average of 3.2 close friends) and higher rates of volunteering and community involvement.

For lonely adults with limited in-person networks, however, technology may deepen isolation. On average, lonely adults report having just 2.4 close family members and 1.9 close friends. Many say technology has led to fewer “deep” friendships and made it harder to spend meaningful time with loved ones in person.

Barriers to Reducing Loneliness

Despite these challenges, the desire for connection is there. More than 1 in 3 adults (36%) say they want to be more socially connected—a figure that rises to 48% among lonely adults.

Yet many people face multiple barriers, including:

• Not enough time
• Lack of confidence or motivation
• Fear of rejection or social anxiety
• Differences in values
• Financial constraints
• Work responsibilities
•  Health challenges

Why This Matters as We Age

Aging brings shifting priorities and major life transitions, and along the way, friendships and time with family are often the first things pushed aside. Yet the data show those connections matter at every stage of adulthood—and are essential to health and well-being.

As this survey makes clear, staying socially connected isn’t optional in later life—it’s foundational.

So, the next time a friend or family member reaches out, consider saying yes. Or take it one step further and host something simple, even if it’s just coffee at home. Small moments of connection add up.

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