New research from European academics has issued a stark warning about the potential health impacts of remaining single for too long during young adulthood. The study, which analysed data from thousands of young people, connects prolonged singleness with growing feelings of isolation and a notable dip in overall well-being.
The Loneliness Link in Young Adulthood
A team from the University of Zurich in Switzerland conducted an analysis of more than 17,000 teenagers and young adults in both Germany and the United Kingdom. Their findings, published in January 2026, indicate that individuals who stay single over an extended period experience increasing feelings of loneliness and a greater decline in their satisfaction with life.
"Overall, our findings show that remaining single for a prolonged period in young adulthood is associated with moderate risks to well-being," explained senior researcher Michael Krämer. The research highlights that these deficits to personal well-being become more pronounced as people approach their late twenties, a life stage when symptoms of depression typically rise.
Who is Most Likely to Stay Single?
The study examined responses from people aged 16 to 29 and identified several key factors linked to longer periods of singleness. It found that men, individuals with higher education levels, those currently reporting lower well-being, and people living alone or with a parent were more likely to remain unattached for longer.
"Our results demonstrate that both socio-demographic factors such as education and psychological characteristics such as current well-being help predict who will enter into a romantic relationship and who won’t," Krämer noted. This supports earlier research suggesting a trade-off between focusing on academic or career advancement and delaying committed partnerships.
The importance of a first relationship was also underscored. Respondents who entered their first partnership reported higher life satisfaction and felt less lonely, benefits that persisted in both the short and long term. However, the analysis revealed a concerning cycle: the longer people wait to start a first relationship, the longer their period of singleness tends to last.
Wider Context and Health Consequences
This European study adds to a growing body of evidence about social isolation among younger generations, particularly Gen Z (those born between 1997 and 2012). A 2023 poll from the Survey Center on American Life found that the number of Gen Zers who had been in a relationship as a teen was 20% lower than Gen X and 22% lower than Baby Boomers. Furthermore, a 2025 study from the American Institute for Boys and Men indicated over 40% of Gen Z men had no relationship experience as teenagers last year. One recent national survey of 20,000 people even labelled Gen Z the "loneliest generation."
The health implications of this trend are serious and well-documented. Loneliness chronically elevates stress hormones like cortisol, which experts at the Cleveland Clinic warn increases the risk for vascular, immune system, and heart problems. Other associated health risks include high blood pressure, dementia, diabetes, stroke, and premature death.
"We know the effect stress has on the body and loneliness is extremely stressful," psychologist Dr. Adam Borland told the clinic. "If we’re experiencing loneliness, we don’t necessarily take care of ourselves the way we should. And that can lead to health issues."
The new analysis concludes that entering a first relationship may become more difficult in the late 20s, especially as lower well-being itself increases the likelihood of staying single longer, creating a challenging feedback loop for young adults' mental and physical health.
