Which Bennet sister is closest in age and behavior to Lydia?

Which Bennet sister is closest in age and behavior to Lydia? Kitty Bennet is the sister closest to Lydia in age and behavior.

Catherine “Kitty” Bennet is the fourth of the five Bennet daughters, while Lydia is the youngest. Austen presents Kitty as Lydia’s older but weaker companion: she follows Lydia’s lead, imitates her interests, and is drawn to the officers stationed near Meryton.

The sisters’ shared fascination with military officers and social excitement makes them noticeably less sensible than Jane and Elizabeth. Kitty is often described as Lydia’s shadow, and Lydia’s stronger personality tends to dominate her. Their behavior contrasts with Mary’s solemn moralising and with Elizabeth’s greater independence and judgment.

Kitty is not identical to Lydia. Lydia is more headstrong, reckless, and self-confident, while Kitty is more suggestible and easily led. That distinction matters after Lydia’s elopement with George Wickham: Kitty remains at home and later benefits from spending more time with Jane and Elizabeth, gradually becoming less foolish. The answer is therefore Kitty, not Lydia herself or one of the older, more composed sisters.