Democracy Dies in Darkness

The loneliest Americans, according to a survey of 3,000 adults

People in their 40s and 50s may be particularly vulnerable to feeling isolated, new research shows.

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Americans are growing lonelier, according to new research released Wednesday, even when they’re not actually alone.

An increasing number of middle-aged and older adults — especially those in their 40s and 50s — are lonely, according to a report released by AARP, a nonprofit advocacy group for older Americans. Among the loneliest are adults 45 to 49 years old (49 percent identified as lonely), as well as respondents who never married (62 percent); are not working (57 percent); or whose household income fell below $25,000 a year (63 percent).

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