One out of every two people in Britain experiences loneliness: report

LONDON: A groundbreaking report says that one out of every two people in Britain experience loneliness or chronic loneliness, costing the economy over £6 billion a year, and projected to rise to £10 billion in the next decade.

“Tackling Loneliness: Learning from British Muslim Experiences”, released by the public policy think tank Equi, reveals the stark realities of loneliness in Britain and highlights innovative, community-led solutions that could benefit the entire UK population.

The report, with a foreword from the Jo Cox Foundation, argues that tackling this crisis is not just a social responsibility but a national economic imperative.

The key findings say that faith-informed interventions are often more effective than standard services; factors such as anti-Muslim hatred, geographic isolation, and socioeconomic deprivation exacerbate feelings of loneliness in Muslim communities, women and rural converts are particularly vulnerable; loneliness-related healthcare and productivity losses among British Muslims alone cost the UK at least £153 million a year; and Muslim-led initiatives support nearly 56,000 individuals annually, generating savings of £56 million for the public purse.

The report features 14 inspiring grassroots initiatives, including Feed the Hungry (Gloucester) providing over 13,000 meals a year alongside safe spaces for dialogue and connection; The Delicate Mind offering culturally sensitive peer support and mental health services; Al-Hasaniya Moroccan Women’s Centre (London) supporting survivors of domestic abuse with bilingual services tailored to cultural needs; The Lateef Project provides trauma-informed faith-based counselling, demonstrating measurable improvements in mental health outcomes; and Gloucester’s Feed the Hungry project.

The report calls for a holistic, inclusive approach to tackling loneliness, including the Office for National Statistics and other agencies must disaggregate data by ethnicity and faith to better understand the experiences of different communities and inform tailored interventions; the NHS and Department of Health should embed cultural and faith sensitivity into mental health policy reform and service delivery.

The Jo Cox Foundation’s Chief Executive, Will Fletcher, said: “This report serves as an urgent reminder that tackling loneliness is not just a social responsibility but should be considered a national public health priority. By discussing the positive contributions British Muslims make towards mitigating loneliness, the findings offer lessons for all communities in the UK.”

“This report is a wake-up call,” said Professor Javed Khan OBE at Equi. “Loneliness is not just a social issue, it’s a public health crisis. British Muslims, despite facing unique challenges, have created impactful solutions that can inspire national strategies. As the government looks to publish a Loneliness Strategy, it is time for policymakers to leverage these insights for a more inclusive, connected society.”