Social isolation in Australia has nearly doubled over the past 23 years, according to a study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology. Researchers from the University of Sydney analyzed data from the HILDA (Household, Income and Labor Dynamics in Australia) survey, which has tracked the lives of thousands of Australians since 2001. Their findings reveal that the percentage of Australians experiencing social isolation rose from 16.9% in 2001 to 29.9% in 2023. Meanwhile, loneliness—defined as the feeling that one’s social relationships are less than desired—increased more slowly, from 6.3% to 8.4% over the same period. Social isolation refers to a lack of social contact or meaningful relationships, regardless of how someone feels about it. Loneliness, by contrast, is a subjective feeling that one’s relationships are insufficient. The study found that younger adults experienced some of the largest increases in loneliness, while older adults had the highest rates of social isolation and saw significant increases over time. Both conditions were more common among people who were unemployed, lived in disadvantaged areas, were widowed, lived alone, or had lower levels of education. The research highlights a growing trend of fewer social connections and interactions among Australians compared to previous decades. While the rise in loneliness has been more modest than that of social isolation, the overall trend shows that more people are feeling disconnected from others. Lead author Dr. Neta Hagani emphasized that the study offers one of the first long-term looks at loneliness and social isolation across the Australian population. Senior author Professor Melody Ding called attention to the importance of social connections as a public health concern, not just an individual issue. The study also points to broader societal and structural factors that influence social connections, such as employment status, housing, living arrangements, community engagement, and neighborhood conditions. It suggests that increasing social inequality in Australia over the past 20 years may have played a role in the rise of social isolation and loneliness. These conditions can have long-term effects on health, which underscores the need for ongoing public health efforts and policies aimed at supporting social connections throughout people’s lives.