Younger People Are More Lonely Than Their Grandparents, Study Finds

A new University of Melbourne report shows younger Australians between 15 and 24 are more lonely than elderly Australians over 65. The research considered data from 2001 to 2021, tracking more than 17,000 people in over 9,000 homes. Researchers found that from 2001 to 2009, those over 65 were the loneliest, but by 2021, this trend had reversed. Co-author of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) study Ferdi Botha said there was a “clear trend” of younger people becoming lonelier and feeling more isolated. “If there aren’t actions taken or policies implemented to intervene, we may see loneliness and psychological distress increasing in the younger generations and this may lead to lower mental and physical wellbeing and other wider societal issues,” he said....