A new Meta-Gallup survey found that nearly 1 in 4 adults across the globe report feeling very or fairly lonely in response to the question, “How lonely do you feel?” The revealing survey conducted across 142 countries found that the rates of loneliness were highest among young adults, with 27% of those ages 19 to 29 reporting feeling very or fairly lonely, says CNN.

Surprisingly, the lowest rates were found in older adults with only 17% of people over the age of 65 reporting feeling lonely. Over half of adults age 45 and older reported not feeling lonely at all, while the majority of those younger than 45 replied that they felt a little lonely, if not very or fairly lonely.

In general, according to the survey, rates of reported loneliness are similar between men and women. Global results show that 24% of both men and women report feeling very or fairly lonely. However, in some countries, the rate of self-reported loneliness was higher for women than men (70 countries) than the opposite pattern (63 countries).

Research shows that loneliness is associated with a higher risk for a wide range of physical and mental health conditions, making research on loneliness a critical first step to improving health and well-being worldwide. The good news is that 49% of those surveyed reported that they ae not lonely at all, which translates to 2.2 billion across the 142 countries surveys, according to Gallup.

“Human beings need social connections to thrive, and being embedded in strong supportive networks can protect our well-being when we’re faced with difficulties in life,” said Olivia Remes, a mental health expert and researcher at the University of Cambridge in the U.K., who was not involved with the survey. Young adults often turn to social media for connection with each other, but Remes warns that simply scrolling through the rosy spots of others can be harmful. She suggests actively engaging with a friend’s posts or sending a private message.

Remes further suggests talking to as many people as possible during the day to combat loneliness.

“Taking the steps to practice chatting with those you encounter as you go about your day can pay off. It can make you feel better, boost your mood, and even stave off loneliness,” she tells CNN.