Young adults bear the brunt of loneliness in global survey

A Meta-Gallup Global State of Social Connections survey across 142 countries found about 24% of adults feel very or fairly lonely; the loneliest group is 19–29-year-olds at 27%, while those 65+ report 17% loneliness, reversing the stereotype that loneliness mainly affects the elderly. The data are self-reported, exclude China, and reflect a single time point, so they do not constitute a clinical diagnosis; longitudinal follow-up would reveal whether these patterns persist or change over time.