Table 1 Socio-demographic characteristics of the sample, number of participants, percentage of the total sample, and percentage of feeling lonely

Age groups

 65–69

703

34.1

7.1

 70–74

528

25.6

7.2

 75–79

565

27.4

11.9

 80–84

153

7.4

11.8

 85 and over

111

5.5

15.3

Sex

 Male

795

38.6

11.5

 Female

1265

61.4

5.7

Social work class

 Manager/College

726

35.2

6.2

 Skilled worker

752

36.5

9.7

 Semi-/unskilled worker

529

25.7

12.3

 Has not worked

53

2.6

12.2

Level of studies

 Primary or less

594

28.8

15.1

 Secondary

822

39.9

7.7

 University students (medium/high)

644

31.3

5.1