# Rising social isolation in Europe

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/rising-social-isolation-in-europe
> Updated: 2026-09-20T17:16:00.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 3.

Research in England and the Netherlands indicates a growing trend of social isolation and loneliness across various age groups.

In England, data from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) shows a significant rise in youth loneliness. One in twenty individuals aged 11 to 24 reports having no close friends, a sharp increase from one in one hundred a decade ago. The percentage of 16 to 21-year-olds with at least three close friends also fell from 85% in the 2012–2014 period to 72% during 2023–2025. Contributing factors include economic pressures, the digital environment, and a lack of dedicated youth spaces.

In the Netherlands, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports that approximately 10.1 percent of people aged 15 and older felt strongly lonely in 2025. While loneliness is prevalent among those aged 35 to 55 and certain migrant groups, experts note a rising trend among teenagers, with one in five aged 13 to 17 reporting feelings of loneliness.

Recent data from 2026 highlights even higher levels of isolation among young adults in specific Dutch regions. In Almere and Lelystad, nearly one in three young adults aged 16 to 25 report feeling strongly lonely, exceeding the national average of 23 percent. In other areas like Veendam-Oude Ae, approximately one in five adults report strong feelings of loneliness. Researchers note that youth loneliness is often “invisible,” as young people may avoid discussing these feelings to avoid the stigma of being perceived as a “personal failure,” even when participating in social activities like school or sports.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-20: Loneliness rates rise among young adults in the Netherlands

Studies in the Netherlands reveal high levels of loneliness among young adults, with nearly one in three in Almere and Lelystad reporting strong isolation, often despite having social connections.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/loneliness-rates-rise-among-young-adults-in-the-netherlands

### 2026-09-18: Loneliness trends in the Netherlands affect youth and adults

Statistics show 10.1% of people in the Netherlands feel strongly lonely, with high rates among 35-55 year olds, migrants, and teenagers, often due to a lack of meaningful real-world connection.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/loneliness-trends-in-the-netherlands-affect-youth-and-adults

### 2026-09-10: Youth loneliness rises as social isolation increases among young people

Research from the IPPR reveals a sharp rise in loneliness among youth in England, with one in twenty aged 11-24 reporting no close friends due to social, digital, and environmental factors.

12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/youth-loneliness-rises-in-england-according-to-ippr-report

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Cite as: Rising social isolation in Europe. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/rising-social-isolation-in-europe