Remote work fuels loneliness among young adults, new data shows

The Bupa Wellbeing Index reveals that 47% of individuals aged 18 to 24 reported feeling lonely due to remote work in 2026, a rise from 42% in 2025. This contrasts with the 34% of all adults surveyed in 2026 who reported similar feelings, a slight decrease from 35% the previous year. Those aged 45 to 54 reported a rate of 28%, while just 18% of those 55 and older felt isolated while working alone.

“It’s not just about helping young people into work, we also need to create workplaces where they can feel connected, supported and able to thrive,” stated Shazna Khanom, head of clinical mental health at Bupa.

The report also indicated that younger workers experience greater challenges related to mental wellbeing, with 41% saying it has impacted their ability to work in the past 12 months, compared to 29% of all respondents. A significant 87% of younger staff reported going to work while managing a mental health issue, compared to 70% of the general population. Mental health concerns were also a more significant factor in job resignations among those aged 18 to 24, with 35% citing it as a reason, compared to 24% across all age groups.

These findings follow data from the Office for National Statistics released between July and September, which showed that 34% of people aged 16 to 29 often or always feel lonely.

Kelly Nicoll, immediate past president of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), emphasized the need for managers to adapt their practices to accommodate a diverse, hybrid workforce. She noted that research suggests around half of 18 to 24-year-olds find it difficult to build relationships with colleagues and managers when working remotely, and that many fear limited face-to-face interaction hinders their professional development. Nicoll recommends more frequent check-ins, informal catch-ups, and dedicated sessions for performance reviews and wellbeing discussions.

The Bupa report is based on data from 5,262 individuals.