Story perspectives

INTERACT survey finds 1 in 6 often lonely

8/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

Imperial College London researchers reported that the INTERACT survey of 135,725 adults found high loneliness.
Almost one in six adults felt lonely often or always, while over one in five lacked companionship.
Nearly 44% said the COVID-19 pandemic increased loneliness while 48.2% reported more isolation.
The loneliest respondents in London, Birmingham and Manchester were studied by researchers who warned that self-selection bias and over-representation of White participants prevent estimating prevalence.

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Story summary

Imperial College London researchers reported that the INTERACT survey of 135,725 adults found high loneliness.
Almost one in six adults felt lonely often or always, while over one in five lacked companionship.
Nearly 44% said the COVID-19 pandemic increased loneliness while 48.2% reported more isolation.
The loneliest respondents in London, Birmingham and Manchester were studied by researchers who warned that self-selection bias and over-representation of White participants prevent estimating prevalence.