Students are more likely to admit they are lonely "most of the time" than pensioners are, according to a new study.
Almost one in four 18 to 24 year olds say they have no-one to talk to most of the time, with 27% of the same age group saying they felt lonely the majority of the time, according to a survey by AXA PPP.
Nearly a third of young people also said they didn't have enough time to see friends, due to work and family commitments. A quarter said they restricted socialising in the winter months due to finances.
Dr Mark Winwood, director of psychological services at AXA PPP healthcare, said: “It is concerning that over a quarter of 18 to 24-year-olds reported feeling lonely most of the time.
“This seems to be a pocket of loneliness within our population that escapes most people’s notice.
“We tend to imagine that young people enjoy the benefits of a well-connected, socially-networked world but this doesn’t mean they don’t have hidden issues.
“Between the ages of 18 and 24, people commonly experience a high number of transitional life events that can contribute to feelings of loneliness.
“Moving away from the family home, searching for work, beginning university or a new job, and starting a family are just some examples and it’s important to bear in mind that, although these are often positive changes, they can also be unsettling.”