Polling expert breaks down Britain's loneliness epidemic

In a clip from today's podcast, Ipsos Chief Client Officer and polling expert Richie Jones joins Ed and Oli to explore, in numbers, the growing loneliness epidemic in the UK. Drawing exclusive polling, Richie reveals that one in ten young people aged 16 to 34 say they feel lonely every day, with a third experiencing loneliness at least once a week. It seems that, despite living in an age of constant digital connection, human interaction is becoming increasingly rare.

Richie explains how structural and cultural shifts are contributing to the problem. From the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of hybrid working, to the rising cost of living and the decline of affordable, accessible third spaces like pubs, cafes, and gyms, making new friends has become harder than ever.

The discussion also touches on the gendered aspects of friendship and loneliness. Young women are less likely to make new friends or feel confident in doing so, and overall report having fewer friendships than their male peers, even though both groups report similar levels of loneliness. Richie challenges assumptions about generational divides and instead urges us to focus on life stage and economic reality.

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