A recent report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) reveals a significant rise in the number of young people in the United Kingdom who report having no close friends. The study found a fivefold increase since 2014, with the proportion of 16- to 21-year-olds claiming to have no close friends rising from 1% to a substantially higher level in recent years. Concurrently, the share of young people in this age group with at least three close friends declined from 85% in 2012-14 to 72% in 2023-25.
The report, titled *The Loneliest Generation*, also highlights a decline in the quality of friendships among younger adolescents. Among 14- and 15-year-olds, the percentage who said they were completely or very happy with their friendships dropped from 86% to 76% over the same period. These findings reflect a broader trend of weakening social ties and reduced mental wellbeing among young people.
The IPPR study rejects the notion that today’s young generation is inherently less resilient than previous ones. Instead, it points to various social and economic factors contributing to these developments. These include the closure of youth clubs, escalating housing costs, the widespread use of social media platforms like TikTok, and a decline in young people’s self-esteem. The report suggests that the erosion of community spaces and support services has undermined youth confidence and social connections.
Further, the report discusses how traditional markers of transitioning to adulthood—such as stable employment, apprenticeships, and home ownership—are being delayed or obstructed. The average age for first-time homebuyers has risen to 34, and nearly 20% of young people spend half their income on rent. Additionally, there has been a decline in the number of 16- to 24-year-olds starting apprenticeships, alongside a rise in the population of young adults not in education, employment, or training (NEETs), all factors that contribute to prolonged adolescence and dependency.
Avnee Morjaria, an associate director at IPPR, described these trends as rational responses to current socioeconomic conditions rather than signs of fragility. Morjaria emphasized that diminishing access to supportive environments and developmental opportunities has left many young people struggling to find hope and establish meaningful connections.
The report attributes the roots of these challenges to political decisions influenced by neoliberal policies, which have shifted public services from collective provision toward privatization and market-based models. It also notes a shift in political priorities, with a move away from inclusion towards more fragmented identity politics, alongside growing influence of large technology companies that are often unaccountable to the public.
Overall, the findings suggest that young people today are growing up under conditions shaped by broader ideological and structural changes, resulting in weakened social networks and delayed transitions into adulthood.