New Data Reveals 41% Of Gen Z Are Lonely, But ‘Soft Socialising’ Might Be The Way To Fix It

Being in your twenties is hard — this isn't news to anyone. Friends come and go, you drift apart from your high school group, and everyone finds their own interests and different career paths. It can be pretty lonely, especially if you're moving states or countries to go study elsewhere.

The '2025 Gen Z Wellbeing Index', a recent survey conducted by Year 13 and Scape, found that 41 per cent Gen Zs believe loneliness is negatively impacting their wellbeing. Figuring out their future, burnout, fatigue, cost of living and body image were some of the other top issues impacting the generation.

Scape, Australia's biggest student accomodation provider, is attempting to fix this for students who have to move away from their home towns for university. The housing operator uses a community-first approach to bridge the gap for students moving away from home, so they can feel a sense of a belonging and ease into university life.

The Gen Z Wellbeing Index found that Scape residents experience a lower level of loneliness to non-residents in the same age group (27 per cent rather than 41 per cent). It also found that Scape residents reported lower levels of social anxiety as opposed to the rest of Gen Zs (25 per cent vs 42 per cent).

This disparity in data suggests that the antidote to the "loneliness epidemic" might be simpler than expected: proximity. In an era where digital interaction often replaces physical presence, the physical design of one’s living environment acts as a silent facilitator for social health. By being exposed to common areas like a shared kitchen or study hub, the focus shifts from isolated survival to collective living.

But living in a student housing building isn't a solution for everyone; there's a whole lot of other stressors that come along with that (rent, working, etc.). So how can we find community when we've lost the friendships of convenience we held in high school?

Somewhere To Socialise: The Rise Of Third Spaces

Post-lockdown (sorry to bring it up), it felt like there was a huge jump in how frequently people went out to eat as a way of catching up with friends. Instagram Stories were filled with aesthetic shots of moody wine bars, candle lit dinners and friends laughing over a wine. It was as if being cooped up for so long made us feel that every moment with friends had to be turned into something beautiful and worth capturing.

With the rising cost of living, people moved on from that trend pretty quickly. Yes, dinners are still enjoyed, but it's not the exclusive activity for everyone to partake in if they want to see their friends.

Third spaces have become a lot more popular. These are locations outside of home or work/uni — your first place and second place — for you to chill and hang out with your friends casually rather than making it a big affair.

While Scape has its own community rooms that act as a third space, Gen Zs who aren't residents often flock to places like Yo-Chi, the frozen yoghurt spot that has an absolute chokehold on this generation in particular. It's a way to socialise without having to drop $30+ on a meal. Except IDK about you, but my Yo-Chi is a minimum of $15 every time...

The Increasing Popularity Of Organised Events And Groups

For a generation that grew up with the infinite (but often hollow) connectivity of the internet, there is a burgeoning craving for tangible and meaningful interaction. We’re seeing a shift towards in-person community events and clubs, from the run club craze of 2024/5 to friendship-led book clubs and wine nights.

Experts at Eventbrite have called this 'Soft Socialising', saying "more people are signing up for shared experiences — from flower-arranging classes to bingo bar nights — where connection just happens naturally, no networking required". The brand's 'Eventbrite Social Study 2026: Reset to Real' found 79 per cent of Gen Zs and millennials plan on attending more events this year that feel personal and foster connection, participation and organic moments. It means you can sit down with likeminded individuals in a shared, safe space, where you're all gathered for one reason. And it has the added bonus of potentially making a new friend or two!

Whether you're moving into a Scape residency or you're navigating your early twenties solo, the data from the Gen Z Wellbeing Index and the rise of "soft socialising" point to the same conclusion: community in your twenties isn't promised, it's built. The location of where it's built, either your apartment building's communal kitchen or by discussing a book over a charcuterie board and wine, is entirely up to you.

Image credit: Scape / @ankitapramod_