If you've felt a pang of loneliness lately, you might not be the only one. Americans are reportedly lonelier compared to years past.

According to a newly released survey from AARP, adults aged 45 and older are lonelier than ever. The association surveyed around 3,300 Americans in August and found that 40% of them reported feeling lonely, a five percentage point increase from the last time the survey was conducted in 2018, and the first time the survey was conducted, in 2010.

Still, AARP suggests the "challenge" of loneliness is something that can be addressed by taking small steps to overcome it.

Here's a look at what the survey found.

Which groups of Americans are the loneliest?

According to the survey, men are more likely to experience loneliness than women. While past surveys found that men and women were more even in loneliness, the difference between the two groups rose this year. For men, 42% of respondents reported feeling lonely, compared to 37% of female respondents reporting feeling lonely.

Those closest in age to 45 also tend to feel lonelier compared to those who are older than them, indicating that loneliness can decrease with age. While 49% of adults ages 45 to 49 reported feeling lonely, that percentage dips to 45 for those in their 50s and continues to drop in responses from those increasingly older.

Beyond that, finances also play a role in adult loneliness, with 63% of adults with annual incomes of less than $25,000 reporting feeling lonely. Those experiencing unemployment also see higher levels of loneliness, with 34% of retirees and 40% of working adults reportedly feeling lonely, compared 57% of unemployed adults reporting feeling isolated.

Your education level can also play a role in how lonely you feel, with higher levels of education correlated with lower levels of loneliness. Forty-five percent of adults with a high school education or less are lonely, compared with 39% of those with some college education and 34% of those with a college degree or higher.

What drives adult loneliness?

There are multiple predictors of potential loneliness in adults, according to the survey results, with most relating closely to a person's social life:

  • Social networks and circles shrinking
  • A declining number of friends over time
  • Mental health diagnoses

People are also reporting less community engagement, with fewer adults attending events like religious services, volunteering or local groups. Technology, while sometimes helpful in keeping people connected, can also make you feel lonely and lead to more solitary activities.

Ways to combat loneliness

Luckily, loneliness can be lessened by taking small steps toward maintaining your social network, the survey showed. People feel more like they "belong" when they are connected to people socially, including through maintaining relationships with family and friends, and engaging in social and community activities.

Overall, engaging in activities that are not solitary can help with feelings of loneliness, the survey said.

Kate Perez covers national trends and breaking news for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kperez@usatodayco.com or on Twitter @katecperez_.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who are the loneliest Americans? See what a new survey revealed.

Reporting by Kate Perez, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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