Why are more South Australians feeling lonely? New survey reveals ‘most alone’ demographic

As 2023 comes to an end, it has emerged that South Australians are feeling more lonely than before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. And one age group is feeling most disconnected.

South Australians are more lonely now than before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic – and it is almost a universal experience among young adults, new research has found.

The Uniting Communities’ Loneliness by Numbers Snapshot has been tracking the issue since March 2020.

At that time, about 55 per cent of people felt lonely often, or sometimes.

That spiked to 60 per cent a month later as authorities imposed strict pandemic lockdowns.

Rates of loneliness had been falling since then but the latest snapshot, for December 2023, shows a new high of 66 per cent of South Australians reporting they feel lonely often or sometimes.

Uniting Communities chief executive Simon Schrapel said it was alarming to note that among people aged 25 to 29 that figure jumped to 97 per cent, and 91 per cent in the 18 to 24 age group.

Increasing reliance on technology, more people choosing to work from home and the rising cost of living limiting options for socialising were all factors influencing the trend.

“These are deeply concerning statistics which point to a serious underlying sense of disconnection and isolation for young South Australians,” Mr Schrapel said.

“We know you don’t have to be alone to feel lonely. It’s about so much more than our number of social connections – the depth and meaningfulness of these relationships play a pivotal role in combating loneliness too.”

Uniting Communities Chief Executive Simon Schrapel is alarmed by how many young South Australians feel lonely.

About 400 people take part in the Uniting Communities’ loneliness survey, in both city and country areas, twice a year.

Conducted by research consultants Square Holes, it asks respondents how often they feel lonely, left out or isolated from others and if they lack companionship.

Studies have found chronic loneliness can be as bad for our health as obesity or smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

It can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, depression, cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.

Mr Schrapel said system factors such as low incomes, few transport options or disconnection with community groups all contributed to increased rates of loneliness.

“On an individual level, simple steps like starting a conversation with a neighbour or reaching out to an old friend can help,” he said.

Human Services Minister Nat Cook says the government is investing in community centres to bring people together. Picture: Matt Loxton

Human Services Minister Nat Cook said loneliness could have “sad and sometimes shocking consequences” but state-funded services such as community centres helped to “break down social isolation”.

Ms Cook said the government had committed record funding of $43m to more than 60 community centres across SA over the next nine years.

“It means more people who need connections and support can now access it,” she said.

The latest survey results follow a push by a state politician in September to appoint the state’s first Minister for Loneliness.

The Advertiser revealed the call by SA Best MLC Connie Bonaros for a current government minister to take on a dedicated loneliness portfolio, and for the state parliament to launch an inquiry into the extent of the social issue in SA.

At the time Health Minister Chris Picton and Opposition spokeswoman Penny Pratt said they would consider the inquiry but stopped short of supporting the creation of a ministerial portfolio.

Ms Bonaros said governments in the UK and Japan had appointed ministers responsible for loneliness in 2018 and 2020.