New Survey Reveals London’s Urban Loneliness Problem
Research by the social events app WeMeet, from the group travel company WeRoad, has revealed how difficult it’s become for adults to maintain friendships, make new pals, and even organise a simple night out.
The results highlight a growing ‘connection gap’ in Britain’s biggest cities — and a demand for fresh ways to bring people together in real life.
Findings show that 44% of people report it’s hard to meet others in the city, and a further 20% report feeling lonely when their friends aren’t around. 13% say they always feel lonely — and even try to escape the city because of it.
Overall, feedback indicates that planning with friends has become a logistical nightmare. Nearly half (48%) say the hardest part is simply finding a date that works for everyone. Another 35% cite being in ‘different stages of life’, while 16% blame distance.
Despite bustling urban life, only 23% report that they feel ‘pretty good’ about having friends and social events to attend in their local area.
Respondents shared that even when they want to connect, life frequently gets in the way. Almost 45% said they want to go home after work, with just 3% attending after-work events, 11% going for after-work drinks, and 41% engaging in sports or other activity-based pastimes.
And when it comes to meeting new people, the challenges continue — with 43% struggling to find the right people to connect with IRL and saying they find meeting people online ‘kind of cringe’.
Despite this, the desire for connection is strong: 93% of us would like to meet new people in our city.
WeMeet offers events ranging from pottery classes (currently the top choice for 48% of app users) to yoga, dining, and hiking meetups. Users can discover events in their city, RSVP, follow favourite hosts, and receive personalised invites — all offering easy, low-pressure ways to meet people with shared interests, without endless WhatsApp chats, swipes, or awkward DMs.
Erika De Santi, Co-Founder and Chief of Experience at group travel company WeRoad, the founders of the WeMeet app, said: “This is our way of helping people form real friendships in their everyday lives, not just on holiday.”
WeMeet has upcoming events in London, including Flavours of Greece: Dinner & New Friends in Camden on 15th January, Trails & Ales: a North Downs Way hike followed by a well-deserved drink, meeting at Clapham Junction station on 18th January, Flavours of Brazil Dinner & New Friends in Covent Garden on 22nd January, Coffee & New Friends event at Roasters London WC2 on 27th January, and Musical Bingo at The Angel & Crown London E2 on 28th January.
For further details, join the free-to-use WeMeet app.
