This is the age when men are the most lonely

Your mid-thirties is when you’re most likely to have no regular friends

The Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness is starting a national conversation about the scale and impact of loneliness in the UK

Shutterstock / Burlingham

Liz Connor4 May 2017

Feeling lonely and socially isolated is something that you’d most likely associated with the elderly generation, particularly in the capital.

But according to new research, a ‘silent epidemic’ is sweeping men in their thirties, with millions of men in the UK feeling vulnerable and isolated.

The study by the Jo Cox Commission, which was released as part of Spotlight on Men month, found that an estimated eight million (35 per cent) of men feel lonely at least once a week, while nearly three million (11 per cent) battle with these feelings every day.

Much like mental health, there is a stigma surrounding loneliness, and people tend not to ask for help because of embarrassment.

According to the study's results, more than one in 10 men say they are lonely, but will not admit it to anyone.

The age when men are most likely to hit ‘peak loneliness’ is 35. This could be down to a number of factors including unemployment, relationship break-ups, bereavement or moving away from family and friends.

This is also the age that men are most likely to have few or no regular friends with 9 per cent of 35-year-olds admitting that they do not see anyone regularly.

By 2030, the commission predicts that around 1.5 million men will live alone in England and Wales by 2030. These men are particularly vulnerable to feeling lonely because they are less likely to socialise outside of work and family through activities, the study found.

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Labour MP Rachel Reeves, who co-chairs the commission, said: "Loneliness is a silent epidemic hidden inside every family and community in the UK and can affect any one of us and at any time.

"For the next month, we will explore how and why men experience loneliness and, most importantly, shine a light on the practical steps that can be taken to combat it.

"Now is the time to break the silence and start a conversation."

The month-long campaign now aims to start a national conversation about the scale and impact of loneliness in the UK, in a bid to tackle the epidemic.

People can use the hashtag #happytochat on Twitter and Facebook to raise awareness of loneliness among young men.

To find out more about the commission and to volunteer in your local community, visit jocoxloneliness.org.