The impact of COVID-19 restrictions on older adults’ loneliness: Evidence from high-frequency panel data in Austria (2020–2022)

•Loneliness among older adults fluctuated during two years of the COVID-19 pandemic in austria.•Prevalence of loneliness correlated with strictness of pandemic-related restrictions.•Increases in restrictions (e.g. lockdowns) were associated with increases in loneliness.Older adults who lived alone were considerably more likely lonely during the pandemic.•Older adults who lived alone were more affected by COVID-19 restriction measures.