Loneliness hits young Australians' quality of life hardest, survey suggests
An analysis of more than 53,000 observations from about 22,000 Australians found that loneliness was linked to larger health-related quality-of-life losses than social isolation alone. Among people aged 15 to 24, loneliness was tied to the biggest reduction in health utility across age groups. Those experiencing both loneliness and social isolation had the lowest scores.
The study drew on four waves of HILDA, a nationally representative Australian survey, using over 53,000 observations from nearly 22,000 people aged 15 and older. It tracked individuals over time and adjusted for shifts in jobs, earnings, physical and mental conditions, and major life events.
Health-related quality of life was scored from 0.0 (death) to 1.0 (full health). Loneliness alone was reported by 18% of 15–24s, falling to 12% among 65+. Social isolation alone was more common in older people, but its strongest quality-of-life link appeared in women aged 25–44.
These findings could shift how loneliness is understood beyond older age, prompting schools, workplaces, and health services to consider younger people’s subjective social satisfaction. Because loneliness and isolation sometimes overlap, affected groups—including adolescents, young adults, older isolated adults, and women aged 25–44—may benefit from more tailored support. The results may also encourage researchers and policymakers to weigh loneliness alongside other health conditions when assessing quality of life, though the observational design cannot prove causation.