Loneliness is a universal experience, yet it affects each of us differently depending on our unique personality type. In a survey sent to over 85,000 individuals, we tried to get a look at how much the different types grapple with loneliness, and why. Overall, we had 4,982 respondents.

In the survey, we asked “How often, if ever, do you feel lonely?” The selections they could choose from included: “Often,” “Always,” “Never,” “Sometimes,” and “Rarely.”

In order to rank the types, we sorted them based on the percentages of respondents who chose “Often” for this question. With that in mind, let’s begin!

Not sure what your personality type is? Take our thorough personality questionnaire here. Or you can take the official MBTI® here.

The Loneliest Myers-Briggs Personality Types

Estimated reading time: 11 minutes

INFJ: The Loneliest Personality Type

“I admit I’m often lonely. I feel like it’s near impossible to find anyone who’s interested in anything I am.” – INFJ Respondent

The survey revealed that 30.63% of INFJs often feel lonely, making them the loneliest personality type. INFJs are also the type most likely to feel misunderstood. Called “Mystics” or “Counselors”, INFJs are deep thinkers, often struggling to find others who share their profound intellectual interests and ideals. This mismatch can leave them feeling socially “odd” and isolated, no matter how many people are around them. Another INFJ noted, “I spend way too much time alone, and I know it’s not good for me, but I’m just sick of being misunderstood,” highlighting the internal struggle between seeking connection and fearing being an outcast, misunderstood, or misrepresented.

Find out more about INFJs: How INFJs Process Emotions

INFP: The Second Loneliest

“I’m lonely all the time. Constantly. I don’t act like it and I certainly don’t tell my parents, but I always feel it.” – INFP Respondent

At 27.37%, INFPs come in second for feeling often lonely. Known for their rich inner lives and emotional depth, INFPs frequently find themselves disconnected from those around them. They may struggle to find people who appreciate their unique perspectives, imaginative musings, or the way they think outside-the-box and question norms. Sadly, 71.59% of INFPs say that they frequently feel misunderstood when trying to make friends, which doesn’t help the matter.

Discover more about INFPs: 13 Remarkable INFP Anime Characters

INTP: The Third Loneliest

“I get lonely sometimes, but I also don’t feel I really need much interaction at all. I’m pretty happy on my own.” – INTP Respondent

With 20% of INTPs reporting frequent loneliness, they are the third loneliest type. INTPs are logical, analytical, and often lost in thought. While they may not crave social interaction as much as other types (44% said they were rarely lonely), their intellectual curiosity and desire for deep conversations can make it challenging to find like-minded individuals. Overall, this was a hard type to rank, because while 20% said they were often lonely and 2% said they were always lonely, 44% said they were rarely lonely and 18% said they were never lonely. However, 62.89% of INTPs said they frequently feel misunderstood, so, in typical logical INTP fashion, many have learned to thrive on their own and make the best out of it. I wrote an article last year about why INTPs feel overwhelmed when looking for friends and I think that sheds further light on the issues and challenges they face in the social arena.

Discover more about INTPs: The Top 35 Favorite INTP Movies

INTJ: The Fourth Loneliest

“I wish people didn’t misinterpret me so much. Yes, I get lonely, but I also like being alone, so it’s a conundrum.” – INTJ Respondent

INTJs, with 18.18% feeling often lonely, are the fourth on our list. These strategic and independent thinkers often feel misunderstood due to their abstract focus, reserved nature, or the way they question things that people have long accepted as truth.

Nikola Tesla, a famous INTJ, once said “Be alone, that is the secret of invention; be alone, that is when ideas are born.” And I believe many INTJs are of the same mind as Tesla. In fact, 29.75% of INTJs said they were rarely lonely. But INTJs are not cold, emotionless robots (yes, the online memes are wrong). While they value their alone time and can handle it better than most, the lack of genuine connections can still lead to occasional or frequent loneliness.

Find out more about INTJs: Why INFJs and INTJs Get Overstimulated

ISFP: The Fifth Loneliest

“People often misunderstand me and that does make me feel alone. I’d rather be alone than surrounded by people who want me to be someone else.” – ISFP Respondent

17.65% of ISFPs reported that they often feel lonely. These virtuosos pride themselves on being unique and marching to the beat of their own drum, but that comes with its downsides. Part of being different means that it can be harder to find like-minded friends. In fact, 62.50% of ISFPs voted that they frequently feel misunderstood. And, in my opinion, ISFPs are one of the quietest personality types. It can take a while to get to know them, and it can be a challenge for them to find people who take the time to really understand them. I think the respondent we quoted said it best; they’d rather be alone than be with people who don’t accept them for who they really are.

Discover more about ISFPs: 10 ISFP Characters From Movies, Television, and Literature

ISFJ: The Sixth Loneliest

“I like being by myself, but I also wish I had a really close friend. I’m not there yet, but I have hopes it will happen.” – ISFJ Respondent

At 16.74%, ISFJs are the sixth loneliest personality types, with many struggling to form close friendships. Known for their reliability and compassion, ISFJs are often the go-to person for others, yet they may struggle to find those who reciprocate that same level of understanding and commitment. A significant 73.81% of ISFJs say that making new friends is not easy for them. This challenge can stem from their reserved nature and the difficulty in meeting people who value their quiet, thoughtful approach to life. Sadly, 11.90% of ISFJs have no friends.

While ISFJs don’t mind quiet time alone (they savor it), having a few close friends is crucial. They want people to share memories with, to seek out when support is needed, and to share their real feelings with.

ESFP: The Seventh Loneliest

“I have plenty of friends, but when I’m alone I don’t really mind it either. I have too many things to do to get really lonely. I was lonely more as a teen, because my friends just thought I was a good time but nothing more.” – ESFP Respondent

15.81% of ESFPs report that they often feel lonely. That said, most ESFPs have more friends than any other personality type. But having lots of friends doesn’t mean someone is never lonely. My ESFP friend here often says that she knows a lot of people and has lots of casual friends, but struggles to find someone she can really connect deeply with over things that are really personal. ESFPs can be more guarded about their personal lives and, while they attract a lot of friends, some of them may turn out to be fair-weather friends. This can lead to a sense of emptiness despite a seemingly full social calendar. Despite their sociable and energetic nature, ESFPs need time to develop trust, and people who are drawn to them because they’re always “fun” may not earn that level of trust.

ESFJ: The Eighth Loneliest

“I’m involved in my church a lot and have a lot of friends at work. It’s not hard for me to find my tribe and take part.” – ESFJ Respondent

15.79% of ESFJs report that they often feel lonely, and this surprised me given their strong community orientation. ESFJ “Defenders” are highly involved in their communities, whether it’s through church, work, or other social groups. And while some struggle with loneliness, 47.37% of ESFJs stated they are rarely lonely, and another 15.79% said they are never lonely. When I spoke with one ESFJ about this, she said that she feels loneliest when her hard work for others isn’t reciprocated in any way. She tends to take on a lot of responsibilities and really goes the extra mile for her friends, but sometimes it seems like they don’t acknowledge it. I’ve heard similar complaints from other ESFJs, enough that I think it’s a common issue they deal with. It can be easy for them to overlook their own well-being in the pursuit of helping others, but taking care of themselves is crucial for avoiding feelings of loneliness and burnout.

Find out more about ESFJs: A Look at the ESFJ Leader

ESTJ: The Ninth Loneliest

“Sometimes I get lonely because people misunderstand my bluntness for just being “mean.” But it’s rare.” – ESTJ Respondent

15.38% of ESTJs report that they often feel lonely. One ESTJ I spoke with mentioned that their blunt honesty sometimes alienates people who don’t see underneath their tough exterior to the loyal and caring individual inside. But ESTJs prefer taking action to ruminating, so they don’t tend to dwell on their loneliness a lot (unless they’re stressed). Like ESFJs, ESTJs have a strong sense of community, and value relationships that are built on radical honesty, reliability, and trust. But their direct communication style can sometimes rub people the wrong way, leading to misunderstandings and potential loneliness.

ENFP: The Tenth Loneliest

“I think I’m more likely to feel alone when I’m around others who don’t get me.” – ENFP Respondent

At 14.91%, ENFPs rank as the tenth loneliest personality type. These visionaries crave deep relationships where they can explore possibilities, theories, and adventures. However, their unique way of thinking and passionate nature can sometimes make them feel misunderstood or undervalued by those around them. I’ve gotten so many emails and comments from ENFPs who feel that they are misunderstood as “flaky” just because they’re enthusiastic. Female ENFPs, especially, feel like they have to come across as far more serious and direct than they naturally are just to be taken seriously at work or by their partners. As a result, they may feel most alone when they are around others who don’t truly “get” them on a deeper level.

Discover more about ENFPs: 10 Must-Read Books for ENFPs

ENFJ: The Eleventh Loneliest

“Intimacy is a must for me. If I’m lonely it’s because I have friendships, but none that are intimate enough. We’re not sharing enough.” – ENFJ Respondent

14.81% of ENFJs report that they often feel lonely. These “Mentors” thrive on creating raw, authentic, and meaningful relationships built on depth. They crave the kind of intimacy where nothing is off-limits to discuss—whether it’s the latest movie they watched, a thought-provoking book they’ve read, or even the deeper meaning behind a casual greeting. ENFJs are masters at turning everyday conversations into profound, enlightening discussions, but this can sometimes make it challenging for them to find others who can match their level of engagement. They often feel more alone when they sense others aren’t willing or able to dive into these deeper waters with them, leaving them with friendships that may feel superficial or unfulfilling.

Find out more about ENFJs: INFJ vs. ENFJ – What’s the Difference?

ISTJ: The Twelfth Loneliest

“I like being alone and don’t feel like I need a lot of social interaction. As long as I have my family that’s all I need.” – ISTJ Respondent

14.29% of ISTJs report that they often feel lonely. Unlike many other personality types, ISTJs genuinely enjoy solitude; it gives them a chance to master skills, pursue hobbies, or reflect on memories and experiences. But like anyone, they still want at least a few close, dependable friends or family members. However, 88.24% of ISTJs find it difficult to make new friends, and this challenge can make some of them feel like they’re eternally “outside the loop” with people.

ENTP: The Thirteenth Loneliest

“I get lonely sometimes, but I also don’t feel I really need much interaction at all. I’m pretty happy on my own.” – ENTP Respondent

14.17% of ENTPs report that they often feel lonely. These “Trailblazers” are enthusiastic, curious, creative, and innovative individuals. Their quick wit and love for intellectual debates make them fascinating conversationalists. With 69.23% of ENTPs finding it easy to make new friends, they’re not as likely to struggle with loneliness as many other types. However, a sense of isolation shows up when they feel their curiosity and intellectual interests are not shared by anyone around them. This disconnect can make them feel lonely despite their typically broad social network.

ENTJ: The Fourteenth Loneliest

“I like being alone. I think ENTJs are probably the most introverted extroverted personality type.” – ENTJ respondent

10% of ENTJs report that they often feel lonely. These “Director” personality types are known for their strategic thinking, assertiveness, and ability to mobilize people towards achieving ambitious goals. However, their intense focus on efficiency and results can sometimes make them seem intimidating or unapproachable. This can lead to a form of loneliness where they feel misunderstood or disconnected from others, despite their confidence. While they need alone time for strategic planning and processing their thoughts, they also want people to connect with on a deeper level. As Intuitives, ENTJs like unpacking theories, concepts, and philosophies, but spending time discussing these topics with others can be a challenge if they don’t feel like someone “gets” them.

ISTP: The Fifteenth Loneliest

“I’m sometimes lonely, but not often. I don’t feel like I need people that much. I’m self-sufficient and entertain myself with my own interests plenty.” – ISTP Respondent

4.35% of ISTPs often feel lonely. These “Vigilante” personality types are independent, adaptable, and enjoy hands-on activities that allow them to tinker, build, and experiment. ISTPs prefer a solitary life where they can delve into their personal interests without interruptions, finding joy in self-sufficiency and individual pursuits. But this doesn’t mean they are never lonely. 30.43% of ISTPs said they were “Sometimes” lonely, and 4.35% said they were “Always” lonely. Even the lone wolf can feel a sense of isolation when they don’t have anyone to share their experiences and passions with.

ESTP: The Least Lonely

“I have plenty of friends, but when I’m alone I don’t really mind it either. I have too many things to do to get really lonely.” – ESTP Respondent

0% of ESTPs report that they often feel lonely. These “Daredevils” tend to take life in stride, making the best of whatever situation they find themselves in. Energetic and charming, it’s typically easy for them to find friends wherever they go. And when people don’t like them? This doesn’t tend to rattle ESTPs too much. One ESTP commented, “If people don’t like me, I don’t really care.” Another said, “I just don’t really care if a person doesn’t like me or misunderstands me. That’s their loss. So it probably just doesn’t stick with me if they do.”

What Are Your Thoughts?

Do you relate to others of your type? Is loneliness a frequent struggle or one you rarely encounter? If you have any tips or suggestions for others of your type let us know in the comments! We’d love to hear from you.

Discover even more about your personality type in our eBooks, Discovering You: Unlocking the Power of Personality Type,  The INFJ – Understanding the Mystic, The INTJ – Understanding the Strategist, and The INFP – Understanding the Dreamer. You can also connect with me via Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter!