Loneliness is a pervasive and multifaceted issue, one that continues to challenge individuals and communities despite advancements in technology and communication. For social value experts, understanding loneliness goes beyond its emotional toll; it involves quantifying its impact on well-being and demonstrating the tangible benefits of interventions aimed at reducing isolation.
Let’s take a closer look at this topic and help you better understand and value the social impact of reduced loneliness and social isolation.
Loneliness is a complex and often distressing emotional state that occurs when a person feels isolated or disconnected from others.
According to the NHS, some ways loneliness can be experienced are:
- Emotional loneliness: The absence of a close emotional connection with someone, such as a partner or trusted friend.
- Social loneliness: A lack of social connections or shared interests.
- Existential loneliness: A feeling of isolation even when surrounded by people.
Government data underscores the prevalence of loneliness. The ONS Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (December 2023–January 2024) reveals that 27% of adults in Great Britain experience loneliness at least some of the time, with 7% feeling lonely “always” or “often.”
Certain groups are also disproportionately affected. The UK government’s Tackling Loneliness strategy review highlights heightened risks for:
There is also some indication loneliness is also linked to poorer academic attainment, lower trust or engagement in school, and lower positive feeling towards school.
For social value experts, the challenge lies in quantifying the broad and often intangible effects of loneliness on individuals and society. Research provides a compelling case for why addressing loneliness is both a moral and economic imperative.
Studies have shown that chronic loneliness can have far-reaching consequences:
Health and wellbeing:
Social and emotional consequences:
Education and employment:
Our MeasureUp RE1 Reduced Loneliness value is guided by government policy (The Green Book) and sophisticated research into the relationship between loneliness and wellbeing (measured by life satisfaction.)
The Green Book recommends using life satisfaction as a measure of well-being, assigning a monetary value of £13,000 to one WELLBY (Well-being Adjusted Life Year) over one year. Research by State of Life (The WELLBY Guide) using national datasets estimate the isolated impact of a change in loneliness on life satisfaction, after accounting for important controls such as age, health, socio-economics and other demographics.
Research shows that moving one category up a loneliness scale—e.g., from “some of the time” lonely to “hardly ever or never” lonely—is worth approximately £8,100 in 2023 prices.
This figure accounts for critical controls such as age, health, and socio-economic factors, offering a clear, evidence-based value of interventions that reduce loneliness.
Sarah, a 32-year-old graphic designer, moved to a new city for work. While her job was fulfilling, she found herself feeling isolated and disconnected in her personal life. Despite being surrounded by colleagues during the day, evenings were often lonely, and her confidence began to wane.
Determined to address her feelings, Sarah decided to join a local book club after seeing an advertisement online. Initially nervous, she found the group welcoming and discovered a shared passion for reading. Over time, Sarah formed meaningful friendships with fellow members, which extended beyond the club meetings.
Within months, Sarah’s feelings of loneliness diminished significantly to ‘hardly ever or never’ lonely from being ‘some of the time’ lonely. Monetised social value of reduced loneliness for Sarah is £8,100 over the course of a year.
Now, consider the broader impact: if five members of the book club experienced the same reduction in loneliness and attributed it fully to their participation, the total social value would be £40,500 annually. Scaling this model across multiple community groups highlights the powerful potential of targeted interventions in driving measurable social value.
Understanding the monetised social value of reduced loneliness allows us to advocate for evidence-based solutions and allocate resources effectively. By framing loneliness as not only a public health issue but also a significant social and economic concern, we can influence policy and practice to drive meaningful change. Efforts to reduce loneliness can deliver substantial returns, both in improved quality of life for individuals and in economic benefits for society. From community programmes to workplace initiatives, strategies that foster connection and inclusion are investments in a healthier, more resilient society.
Learn more about the ‘Reduced Loneliness’ MeasureUp value here: https://measure-up.org/mu-outcomes/reduced-loneliness/