14 year old recluse

[WelshCerys]

14 year old DS rarely goes out once home from school. Live in a road with mostly elderly people. School not in the town and local kids from it don't contact DS nor he they. Won't join anything - after school or local clubs. Not unhappy at school but the only friend who comes round never, ever reciprocates.
Much of the evening/weekend spent in his room. He's pale, not altogether happy but really reluctant to get out. I know he wants mates to see holidays/weekends and goodness we gently encourage him. Is this unusual behaviour? Brothers older, living their lives.
Feel he's missing out on having mates round/going to them/hanging out.
Any ideas? Or am I worrying needlessly? Thanks.

Get him doing something like the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme maybe? Don't let him just opt out - say he has to go and stick with it for a period (1 term perhaps) and then you'll discuss it again.

what about air /army cadets or similar - he's maybe a bit old for scouts but depends on your local area..

would certainly try and encourage mixing in some way, not necessarily with school people - my DD didn't get on with school 'friends' well but enjoys out of school activities with more like minded people.. nothing says you have to be friends with school classmates!

Does he have any interests - sport / music / drama or anything you could expand on....

He is the right age for venture scouts, DS's pack have a very busy diary.

Thank you all, so much, for your great ideas. Am following up scouts and cadets as he likes being active - just isn't at present. He is much interested in wildlife/natural history and with luck will be able to build on these interests if he joins something along suggested lines.
Take your point entirely, Stricnine, about having friends outside of school - come to think of, I had few school friends as such but rather friends in the community that I actually lived in.
Thanks again!