A report by the Institute for Public Policy Research has documented a significant increase in social isolation among young people aged 11 to 24 in England. The proportion reporting no close friends has climbed from one in 100 in 2014 to one in 20 currently. Additionally, among 16- to 21-year-olds, the percentage with at least three close friends declined from 85% in the 2012-14 period to 72% in 2023-25.
The research attributes these trends to multiple interconnected factors rather than suggesting young people lack resilience. Contributing factors identified include closures of youth services and clubs, unaffordable housing conditions, the prevalence of social media platforms like TikTok, and diminished self-esteem. The report notes that satisfaction with friendships has also declined, with 14- and 15-year-olds reporting contentment with their friendships dropping from 86% to 76% between the 2012-14 and 2023-25 periods.
Beyond friendship metrics, the research highlights how the transition to adulthood has been substantially delayed for this generation. Traditional markers of adult life now occur much later, with first-time home buyers averaging 34 years old and approximately one in five young people allocating half their income to rent. The report also notes increases in young adults classified as Neets—those not in education, employment, or training—along with declines in apprenticeship participation.
The IPPR attributes the disconnection young people experience to broader societal and political shifts, including privatization of public services, digital technology dominance, and loss of community-oriented infrastructure. The findings are reinforced by complementary research on “social thinning,” referring to reduced in-person social interactions during adolescence. Mental health experts have characterized the situation as concerning, with isolation and loneliness presenting documented risks to both mental and physical wellbeing.
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