A study by the University of Exeter has found that loneliness costs the NHS an extra £850 per person per year, due to increased GP and outpatient appointments. Researchers analysed data from over 23,000 people, including self-reported loneliness, health, and NHS expenses. A third of participants felt lonely some of the time, and 8% often.
The study, published in PLOS One, linked loneliness to higher rates of mental distress and poorer physical and mental functioning. Healthcare costs associated with loneliness typically increased with age, except for young adults aged 16-24, who incurred larger costs than those aged 25-49.
Lead author Nia Morrish said: “We know that loneliness has a significant effect on health and wellbeing, particularly among older adults. However, we know much less about its impact across the wider population and on healthcare service use.” She added that people experiencing loneliness, especially in younger adulthood and later life, incur higher NHS costs.
The study estimated average costs: a GP appointment £49, an outpatient visit £217, and an inpatient case £1,111. The latest Community and Life Survey found that 7% of people in England (around 3.1 million) often or always felt lonely between October 2023 and March 2024, while only a fifth said they never felt lonely.
Co-author Professor Antonieta Medina-Lara said: “Our findings highlight the importance of recognising loneliness as both a public health issue and an NHS priority. Too often overlooked, loneliness carries substantial personal and societal costs.” She hopes the findings will encourage new approaches to help people build connections and reduce the burden on health services.
