Loneliness by age : the surprising U-shaped curve

We often imagine loneliness as the lot of older people, or conversely as an ailment reserved for a hyperconnected youth. The reality is more nuanced: loneliness by age does not progress in a straight line over the course of life. Recent large surveys, in France as well as internationally, instead trace a U-shaped curve, where midlife plays an unexpectedly protective role. An analysis of a phenomenon that psychology now views differently.

A U-shaped curve confirmed internationally

A large coordinated analysis, published in the journal Psychological Science in 2024 by researcher Eileen Graham and her colleagues, gathered more than 128,000 participants aged 13 to 103, drawn from nine longitudinal studies conducted in more than 20 countries. The finding is clear: the feeling of loneliness decreases from youth through midlife, then rises again in old age. In other words, it is neither at 20 nor at retirement that one is necessarily most alone, but at the two extremes of adult life.

This U-shape overturns several preconceived ideas. It contradicts the image of loneliness that would mechanically increase with age, a pattern described by some older studies. It also reminds us that the period when one is most surrounded — family, work, commitments — often corresponds to the trough of the curve, around one’s forties and fifties.

Why loneliness rises in old age

If loneliness increases again among the oldest, researchers attribute it less to age itself than to the losses that accompany it: widowhood, distance from loved ones, loss of autonomy. The international analysis identifies several factors associated with greater loneliness: social isolation, a lower level of education and physical limitations. These elements relate to life trajectory, not to a biological inevitability.

The distinction is important, because it changes the perspective: the rise of loneliness in old age is not inevitable. It is partly linked to situations on which support, social connection and support for seniors policies can act.

What the situation in France reveals

In France, Fondation de France published on January 20, 2026 the 15th edition of its study on solitudes. The figures confirm the scale of the phenomenon: nearly one third of French people (32%) find themselves in a situation of relational isolation, and 24% report feeling lonely. Loneliness is therefore not a marginal feeling, but a widely shared experience.

The survey mainly highlights marked social and territorial divides:

• Territories: isolation is increasing in rural areas (from 11% to 14% in three years), while the feeling of loneliness affects 28% of residents of cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants.
• Employment: 45% of unemployed people feel lonely, a level far higher than that of employed people.
• Health and income: 30% of people in fragile health are isolated, and low incomes triple the risk of isolation.

Loneliness thus appears as a marker of vulnerability that accumulates with other difficulties, well beyond the issue of age alone.

Endured loneliness, chosen loneliness: do not confuse them

Psychology stresses an essential nuance: being alone is not the same as feeling lonely. Painful loneliness is the one that is endured, when a gap grows between the relationships one has and those one would like. Conversely, moments of chosen solitude can nourish creativity, rest and balance. Taking care of one’s well-being therefore depends as much on the quality of ties as on their quantity — a point confirmed by numerous studies on mental health.

Frequently asked questions

At what age do people feel most lonely?

According to international studies, the feeling of loneliness is lowest in midlife and highest at both extremes: among young adults and among very old people, forming a U-shaped curve.

Does loneliness necessarily increase with age?

No. The increase observed in old age is mainly linked to events such as widowhood, social isolation or loss of autonomy, and not to age itself. It is therefore not inevitable.

Is feeling lonely bad for health?

Long-lasting and endured loneliness is associated with an increased risk of psychological and physical disorders. Maintaining regular, high-quality connections is a recognized protective factor.

Sources

• Fondation de France — Solitudes in France Study 2026
• Psychological Science / E. Graham et al. — Loneliness follows a U-shaped curve
• info.gouv.fr — Hyperconnected but alone: loneliness among young people