All of us have felt lonely at some point, making loneliness a universal human experience. However, loneliness has become a global problem over the last few years, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. This has led to the World Health Organization (WHO) naming it a global threat. Some experts say that loneliness is as bad for one’s health as smoking 15 cigarettes per day, making it harmful to both the physical and mental health of people across the world.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the global statistical trends for loneliness. Understanding global trends can help us take concrete steps to overcome the global threat of loneliness.
Understanding Loneliness
The experience of loneliness can be very subjective, but loneliness isn’t just about being alone physically; it’s about lacking meaningful connections. So one can feel lonely, even in the presence of others if they lack good connections with others around them. Chronic loneliness has been linked with various physical and mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, heart diseases, weak immunity and dementia. Thus, it is crucial to pay attention to the global rise in loneliness numbers.
Global Trends In Loneliness
There are no exact numbers to chart worldwide loneliness; however, recent research shows some concerning trends. A recent study by Gallup and Meta titled ‘The Global State of Social Connections revealed that almost 1 in 4 people report feeling lonely across the world based on their survey, which included more than 140 countries, and the numbers could be even higher as China, the world’s second most populous country, was not a part of this research.
According to this research, almost 25% of the total participants reported feeling fairly lonely or very lonely. However, according to the latest update in July 2024, the number may have been reduced to 1 in 5 people feeling lonely, which amounts to 20%
Loneliness Trends By Age
According to the same study by Meta-Gallup mentioned above, Older adults aged 65 and above have the lowest rate of loneliness, with only 17% of older adults feeling very or fairly lonely, while only 25% of them report feeling a ‘little lonely.’
The highest rates of loneliness are found within the young adult population, with almost 27% of them feeling fairly lonely or very lonely. The rate of loneliness is similar in the 30- to 45-year-old population, where it was found that almost 25% of people feel fairly lonely or very lonely. These numbers highlight the rising concerns of loneliness among youth and the young adult population.
Apart from these, a study conducted in 2021 had similar results where it was found that school loneliness among adolescents had globally increased significantly between 2012 and 2018, particularly among girls. This study was conducted across 37 countries. This again highlights the concerning trend of increasing youth loneliness.
Loneliness Trends By Gender
According to the Meta-Gallup survey, loneliness affects both men and women equally at a global level. Global trends show that 24% of both men and women report feeling fairly lonely or very lonely; also, there seem to be no gender differences in loneliness in some countries.
That being said, there are many countries where there are substantial differences in the rate of loneliness among men and women. According to the overall trend, more countries (79) show higher rates of self-reported loneliness among women, while there are only 63 countries where men report higher rates of loneliness as compared to women.
This data once again supports the initial finding that almost 25% of the world’s population feels fairly lonely or very lonely.
Conclusion:
In summary, there is enough data to prove that loneliness is a pressing global issue that affects people irrespective of age, country or gender. These statistics not only present a concerning picture of rising loneliness but also indicate the need for global measures towards mental health awareness and support for those who might be more vulnerable to loneliness, such as adolescents and young adults.
References:
- Inc, G. (2023, October 24). Almost a Quarter of the World Feels Lonely. Gallup.Com. https://news.gallup.com/opinion/gallup/512618/almost-quarter-world-feels-lonely.aspx
- Inc, G. (2024, July 10). Over 1 in 5 People Worldwide Feel Lonely a Lot. Gallup.Com. https://news.gallup.com/poll/646718/people-worldwide-feel-lonely-lot.aspx
- Infographic: One in Four Young People in the World Feels Lonely. (2023, November 13). Statista Daily Data. https://www.statista.com/chart/31243/respondents-who-feel-fairly-or-very-lonely
- Johnson, S. (2023, November 16). WHO declares loneliness a ‘global public health concern.’ The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/nov/16/who-declares-loneliness-a-global-public-health-concern
- Nicioli, T. (2023, October 24). The loneliness epidemic: Nearly 1 in 4 adults feel lonely, new survey finds. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/24/health/lonely-adults-gallup-poll-wellness/index.html
- Twenge, J. M., Haidt, J., Blake, A. B., McAllister, C., Lemon, H., & Le Roy, A. (2021). Worldwide increases in adolescent loneliness. Journal of Adolescence, 93, 257–269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2021.06.006
