Loneliness is more than an emotional burden—it carries significant health and economic consequences. Loneliness costs in the UK are too high. Individuals reporting persistent isolation present with higher rates of depression, cardiovascular issues, and sleep disturbance. In the UK, around four in ten adults report loneliness at least occasionally. Those who are lonely are more often associated with additional NHS costs, with the amount potentially reaching as high as £885 per person per year. That’s not just one person’s hardship; it’s a system-wide problem. What appears to be a private struggle is, in reality, a public health and economic challenge.
The Loneliness Crisis in the UK
Loneliness costs in the UK have become a pressing issue. The loneliness is affecting not only individuals but also the National Health Service (NHS). In the UK, 4 in 10 citizens identify as being lonely at least some of the time. Studies show that individuals who frequently feel lonely incur approximately £900 more in NHS costs annually. A figure that underscores loneliness as a critical pressure point within healthcare economics.
The phenomenon extends beyond Britain. Young adults in Britain face some of the highest risks of loneliness.
Loneliness in the UK: A Widespread Issue
The Understanding Society UK Household Longitudinal Study tracked over 23,000 adults between 2021 and 2023. This research presents one of the most explicit pictures to date of the connection between loneliness and health. Morrish and her colleagues at the University of Exeter conducted a study in this regard, examining how people’s own reports of feeling lonely aligned with their physical and mental health.
Their results echo warnings from the World Health Organisation, which has already labelled loneliness a priority for public health. One of the more unusual findings was the shape of the data: healthcare costs followed a U-curve. Loneliness costs in the UK were high among older people, as expected, but also unexpectedly high among those aged just 16 to 24.
Loneliness steadily raised NHS bills for older adults. However, it sharply increased costs for young people. Healthcare costs associated with loneliness generally increase with age, except for young people aged 16 to 24, who incur higher costs than those aged 25 to 49.
“This research shows just how much loneliness can affect health and wellbeing,” said Nia Morrish, the study’s lead author. “We still know far less about its impact on the wider population and the way it influences the use of healthcare.”
Co-author Professor Antonieta Medina-Lara added that the findings reinforce the need to treat loneliness as both a health concern and a priority for the NHS. “By highlighting the personal and social costs,” she said, “we hope to encourage policies that make it easier for people to connect, improve their wellbeing, and reduce pressure on health services.”
Loneliness Costs in the UK: The Economic Impact on the NHS
The NHS is already stretched thin, and Loneliness Costs in the UK exacerbate the problem. Research from the University of Exeter shows that individuals who report frequent loneliness incur costs of almost £1,000 more per year to the UK health service than those who don’t.
Why? Much of the extra cost is due to more frequent GP appointments, hospital visits, and inpatient stays. A single GP consultation costs around £49, an outpatient visits around £217, and a hospital admission can easily exceed £1,100.
According to Professor Antonieta Medina-Lara, one of the researchers, loneliness, often neglected in clinical contexts, bears “substantial personal and societal costs.” She emphasised that doctors and policymakers usually overlook it, despite its clear impact. Assigning a monetary value to these costs helps make the problem more visible. If health services and communities treat loneliness more seriously—through counselling, local groups, or even simple opportunities for social contact—they could ease suffering while also saving money. Hence, the study serves as a clarion call to integrate social connection metrics into public health monitoring and resource planning on a systemic level.
The Link Between Loneliness and Health Problems
More people in England are living on their own than ever before. Almost a third of households now have just one resident, a figure that has increased sharply—by around 14%—over the last decade. Altogether, this means that nearly seven million homes are occupied by single people, or almost three in ten of all households.
This shift is also reflected in the statistics on Loneliness Costs in the UK. Roughly 3.8 million people are classed as chronically lonely, and just over 7% of adults admit they feel that way most of the time. The numbers vary by region. In parts of the North West, North East, South West, and Yorkshire & Humber, more than 30% of homes are occupied by someone living alone. Growth has been steepest in the North West, South West, and South East. The personal toll of loneliness is heavy.
The Role of Technology in Tackling Loneliness
While technology has been a contributing factor to loneliness, it can also play a role in addressing the issue. Digital platforms can provide opportunities for individuals to connect with others, particularly those who are socially isolated. However, it is essential to strike a balance between digital interactions and face-to-face communication.
Vann Vogstad, founder of COHO, argued that the rise in solo living is “not just a housing issue, it’s a social one.”
“We believe Shared Living can be a real force for good,” Vogstad added. “It gives people daily chances to connect and, when the match is right, it can grow into long-term friendships.”
And it’s not just older adults at risk. Research from the Centre for Social Justice shows that people aged 16–29 are now more than twice as likely to report loneliness as those over 70. Vogstad also noted that while more people recognise the benefits of living with housemates, the number of people living alone continues to rise.
UK Appoints a Minister for Loneliness
Britain has appointed a minister for loneliness. The point is to take forward the work of murdered lawmaker Jo Cox and tackle the isolation felt.
Sports minister Tracey Crouch will take on the new role, in addition to her existing job. She developed a strategy to address the problem, which research has linked with dementia, early mortality, and high blood pressure.
“We should all do everything we can to see that, in Jo’s memory, we bring an end to the acceptance of loneliness for good,” British Prime Minister Theresa May said in a statement.
“For far too many people, loneliness is the sad reality of modern life.”
Government figures underline the scale of the issue; more than one in ten people in the UK struggle with loneliness, and among those over 75, the majority live alone. Around 200,000 older people report going more than a month without speaking to a friend or relative. Doctors also say they see patients every day whose primary reason for visiting is that they feel lonely.
