Nearly half of young adults who work from home ‘feel lonely’

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, November 1, 2026

Nearly half of workers aged 18 to 24 report increased feelings of loneliness due to remote work, a higher rate than older age groups, according to the Bupa Wellbeing Index. This growing mental health concern among young employees highlights the need for employers and policymakers to develop supportive workplace strategies as remote and flexible work arrangements become more common.

Recent research highlights a growing sense of loneliness among young adults working remotely, suggesting that the shift to home-based employment may disproportionately affect younger employees’ mental well-being. According to data from the Bupa Wellbeing Index, nearly half of workers aged 18 to 24—47 percent in the current year—report that remote working has increased feelings of loneliness, a rise from 42 percent recorded in 2025. This contrasts with lower percentages in older age groups, with 28 percent of those aged 45 to 54 and 18 percent of individuals aged 55 and over expressing similar sentiments. Overall, 34 percent of all adults surveyed this year indicated that working in isolation contributes to loneliness, a slight decline from 35 percent in 2025.

Shazna Khanom, head of clinical mental health at Bupa, emphasized the importance of nurturing social connections within the workplace, particularly as the nature of work continues to evolve. She noted that while remote and flexible working arrangements offer considerable benefits, fostering environments where young people feel supported and integrated remains essential for their well-being and professional success. Khanom also referenced the pending review by Alan Milburn on youth employment, underlying the need to address not only employment rates but also the quality of workplace experiences.

The Bupa report further indicates that younger workers face a more pronounced impact from mental health challenges in the workplace compared to older counterparts. About 41 percent of employees aged 18 to 24 reported that mental health issues had negatively affected their ability to work during the past year, higher than the 29 percent observed across all age groups. Moreover, 87 percent of younger workers admitted to attending work despite managing mental health concerns, exceeding the 70 percent rate among the broader workforce. Mental health considerations also influenced job turnover, with 35 percent of young employees citing it as a factor in leaving roles over the previous 12 months, compared to 24 percent across all surveyed ages.

These findings align with data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which revealed a broader trend of higher loneliness levels among younger individuals. Between July and September, 34 percent of people aged 16 to 29 reported feeling lonely always or often, surpassing the 25 percent average among all adults and 22 percent among those aged 50 to 69.

The convergence of these studies underlines the ongoing challenges faced by young workers in maintaining mental health and social connections amid increasing reliance on remote work. Employers and policymakers may need to consider targeted strategies to address these issues to support the well-being and retention of younger members of the workforce.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.