Canberra’s midlife loneliness: a shifting social landscape
A new Health Research Institute survey embedded in the University of Canberra’s Living Well in the ACT Region report reveals a worrying trend: loneliness is rising fastest among Canberrans in their 30s and 40s. The ACT’s midlife cohort has overtaken younger residents as the most socially isolated group, with 18.8 per cent of people aged 30 to 49 reporting feeling lonely “often” or “always.”
The findings stem from a late-2024 survey of more than 3,100 ACT residents and come at a time when overall wellbeing is sliding. About 31.2 per cent of respondents reported low wellbeing — the highest level since the survey began in 2019. The data align with broader national trends that tie happiness and social connection to economic pressures and time scarcity.
Financial pressure magnifies social disconnection
Lead researcher Associate Professor Jacki Schirmer pointed to the cost-of-living crisis as a key driver behind the loneliness surge. She highlighted the practical barriers that can erode social life for families and individuals juggling mortgages, childcare, and other expenses.
“Particularly people aged 30 to 49 — you’ve got kids at home, they might have a big mortgage,” Schirmer said. “A bit over two in five Canberrans said they’ve cancelled one or more social events in the last year because they were struggling financially. So they couldn’t afford the coffee at the cafe, the restaurant dinner or to bring something to the BBQ.”
Schirmer emphasised that these financial decisions don’t just trim budgets; they diminish opportunities for social connection, compounding existing challenges in maintaining friendships and support networks.
Community resilience: the bright spot in a difficult year
Despite rising loneliness in midlife, the report notes a silver lining: overall community participation increased. The share of ACT residents who regularly take part in community activities rose to 66.4 per cent by the end of 2024, up from 55 per cent in early 2023.
Local groups have been instrumental in driving this rebound. In Canberra, community-led organisations are stepping in to help people connect, whether through sport, art, or mutual support networks.
Running for resilience: turning exercise into social capital
One notable example is Running for Resilience, co-founded by former Brumbies and Wallabies player Ben Alexander and Matthew Breen. The charity began with a simple idea — a social run that could also raise awareness and funds for wellbeing — and has since grown into a program hosting up to 16 weekly events across Canberra.
Alexander described the movement as a bridge between fitness and friendship: “People come to get fit, but they stay for the connection. We’re really trying to make it so easy for anyone to rock up, do some exercise, and have a chat with someone and make a friend.”
Music and community: QWire as a lifeline for many
In Lyneham, the LGBTQIA+ community choir QWire has become a social hub for many in the 30 to 49 age bracket. Convenor Erin Pynor noted rapid growth from under 100 to about 150 singers in two years, with new members drawn to the community feel as much as the music.
“We’re seeing people use QWire as a way to meet others — some are into music, some just love the queerness, the community, the connection they’re getting here,” Pynor said. The choir rehearses weekly and performs at local events, offering a welcoming space for new residents and long-time Canberrans alike.
Old age, new hope: wellbeing remains high among seniors
On a more hopeful note, older Canberrans — particularly those aged 65 and over — report relatively high levels of wellbeing. Associate Professor Schirmer observed that if seniors are in stable relationships and own their homes, they tend to have better overall wellbeing than many other groups, even when some traditional supports waver.
She added that the age divide in wellbeing is nuanced: while the 65-plus demographic fared better, midlife loneliness remains a critical issue that warrants attention from policymakers, employers, and community groups alike. The research suggests targeted social programs and affordable activity options could help blunt the social costs of financial strain for Canberrans in their 30s and 40s.
Implications for policy and the path forward
The Living Well in the ACT Region report underscores a need for integrated solutions that address both economic hardship and social connectedness. If Canberra can sustain and scale community-led interventions that lower the barriers to social participation, it may slow the drift toward isolation in midlife while reinforcing bonds that support wellbeing across the territory.
