While comprehensive data tracking zero total friends specifically for Gen Z is limited, studies show that 27% to 43% report having no close friends outside family or no close work friends. Additionally, up to 67% to 80% report feeling regularly lonely, with some demographic segments showing up to 20% having no friends at all.
A 2023 Forbes survey found that young people age 16 to 24 feel lonelier than any other age group, with 73% of Gen Z reporting they feel alone “sometimes or always.” Forbes speculates the pursuit of convenience is removing social interactions and producing loneliness.
+ Key Takeaways. Generation Z is the loneliest generation the world has seen, with isolation rates higher than both millennials and members of Generation X. Adolescents with high social media use are likelier to feel lonely than those with lower social media use.
Gen Z, it turns out, is the loneliest generation of them all, according to the 2025 Cigna Group report “Loneliness in America.” It found that 67% of Gen Zers reported being lonely (65% of millennials, who also grew up with digital technologies, did as well, as compared with 60% of Gen Xers and 44% of baby boomers).
About 8% to 12% of adults in the United States report having zero close friends, according to data from major studies by Pew Research Center and the Survey Center on American Life. This number has grown significantly over the last few decades, rising from just 1% to 3% in the 1990s.
Young adults aged 18 to 29 (including Generation Z and younger millennials) are widely reported as the loneliest age group. Multiple global studies and national surveys show that young people experience higher rates of isolation than older adults.
Gen Z isn't weak—they're facing pressures no previous generation has, and it's taking a toll on mental health. Gen Z experiences higher rates of depression and anxiety than any previous generation, with nearly half reporting ongoing symptoms.
Having no friends is surprisingly common, with surveys showing that roughly 10% to 22% of adults have no close friends. While most people have social connections, a significant number of individuals experience periods of complete friendlessness.
Research pinpoints the mid-to-late 20s and 30s as the hardest years to make friends. During this window, social circles typically shrink because adult life strips away the three conditions that make childhood friendships easy: continuous unplanned interaction, physical proximity, and shared vulnerability. ·Ione Butler
Having no friends is not always a major red flag, but it can be a warning sign depending on the person's life story, social habits, and behavior. Opinions on this topic differ widely; some people view it as a major concern, while others see it as a normal situation.
Recent global studies show that Generation Z is currently the unhappiest generation, reversing the historical pattern where middle-aged adults reported the lowest life satisfaction.
It is hard for Gen Z to make friends due to a combination of digital isolation, a lack of unstructured in-person proximity, and heightened social anxieties or perfectionism.
Generation Z is widely discussed as the "nicest generation" in modern cultural discourse, praised for their high levels of social consciousness, environmental awareness, and deep commitment to inclusion and mental health advocacy. ·Ranveer Allahbadia
Generation Z's biggest fears center on financial insecurity, the "fear of cringe" or social judgment, and a broader anticipatory anxiety about the future. These core anxieties deeply influence how young adults approach work, relationships, and self-expression.
According to recent surveys, about 25% of Gen Z adults report being diagnosed with ADHD, which is higher than older generations like Gen X (9%) and Baby Boomers (2%). Overall mental health tracking shows that roughly 46% of Gen Z have a formal diagnosis for a mental health or neurodevelopmental condition, with ADHD, anxiety, and depression ranking among the most common.
Yes, data and studies suggest that Generation Z shows higher rates of shyness, lower extroversion, and a greater preference for digital communication compared to older generations. Surveys indicate that up to 46% of Gen Z identify as introverts, contrasted with much lower numbers in older groups.
Loneliness and having few or no friends are far more common than you think. Research consistently shows that many people feel lonely and wish they had more friends. A YouGov Friendship Study published in December 2021 found that 7% of Britons say they don't have any close friends, increasing to 9% for people over 40.
At any age there are going to be people in your area who are open to forming new friendships. Not everyone has had the same social circle for years and years and isn't interested in meeting anyone else. If you go on sites like Meetup.com you'll see people have created groups catering to all ages.
A friendship between a 20-year-old and a 17-year-old is not inherently weird, but it heavily depends on context. The dynamic is generally acceptable if it revolves around a shared hobby, work, or group setting, provided boundaries are respected and there are no romantic or predatory intentions.
Yes, it is completely okay to have no friends as long as you feel happy, peaceful, and content with your life. Being alone is a personal choice or a stage in life, and it does not mean there is something wrong with you.
Yes, being a loner can absolutely be a trauma response, often referred to as "traumatic aloneness" or hyper-independence. It stems from experiencing or fearing betrayal, neglect, or abandonment by caregivers or loved ones. Consequently, the brain learns that the only person you can safely depend on is yourself. ·tinybuddhaofficial
About 8% to 12% of adults in the United States report having zero close friends, according to data from major studies by Pew Research Center and the Survey Center on American Life. This number has grown significantly over the last few decades, rising from just 1% to 3% in the 1990s.
Generation Z is struggling due to a combination of tough economic conditions, the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on social and professional development, and a transforming job market.
Is Gen Z happy? In our new study with Gallup, we found the answer is more complicated than one might expect. While 80% of Gen Zers ages 12 to 14 report they are happy, young people struggle with social comparison, their mental health and feeling connected at school. And their happiness declines as they grow older.
Generation Z and Millennials are widely considered the most "woke" or socially progressive generations, though data shows nuanced political and gender divides within them.