Well over half of Gen Zs are feeling socially isolated as Australians report being lonelier than ever.
Data from the Real Relationships Report 2025 revealed that over 1 in 2 Australians (54 percent) had shrinking friendship circles, while 2 in 5 (44 percent) went out less due to the cost of living.
The report found nearly 1 in 3 Australians (32 percent) currently felt socially isolated, with the figuring jumping to almost 3 in 5 (58 percent) among Gen Z.
It also found that 2 in 5 (41 percent) had been ghosted by a friend, with 1 in 2 (50 percent) of Australians who’ve tried making new friends saying it had become harder in recent years.
Hannah Zaslawski, a signal Australian digital creator in her 30s, took part in the survey which highlighted a significant decline in close friendships.
“I’m lonely. In fact, 1 in 3 Australians are. That’s a crazy number. Don’t get me wrong, I keep myself busy with a million hobbies, but that doesn’t change the fact that, like 54 percent of Australians, I feel my friendship group shrinking and it’s getting harder and harder to connect, even though my phone tells me I pick it up an average of 116 times a day,” Ms Zaslawski said.
The report revealed a “U-shaped” pattern in friendships across age groups.
It found while Gen Z and Gen Y each reported having around four close friends, this dropped slightly to three for Gen X.
“Baby Boomers and older Australians average nearly five friends, suggesting that time and space may allow for greater investment in social connections,” the report found.
