Despite a world more digitally connected than ever, millions are feeling more alone. Loneliness affected one in six people globally between 2014 and 2023, especially young people and those in poorer countries, according to a new report by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The report from the WHO Commission on Social Connection, titled From loneliness to social connection: charting a path to healthier societies, identified two groups as being most affected. First, young people aged between 13 and 29 reported the highest levels of loneliness, with around 17-21 per cent globally saying they felt lonely—rates being especially high among teenagers. Second, people from low-income countries experienced disproportionate levels of loneliness: About 24 per cent compared to just 11 per cent in wealthier countries.
The report also linked loneliness to an estimated 871,000 deaths per year between 2014 and 2019, underscoring the scale of its public health impact.
“Health encompasses not just physical and mental well-being but also social well-being,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of WHO, said at the launch of the report.
However, he added that social well-being is often neglected, despite the growing presence of digital connectivity and social media. “Loneliness isn't just about not having company; it’s a deep feeling of disconnection that can harm our mental and physical health,” Ghebreyesus explained.
Social disconnection can lead to heart disease, stroke, depression and anxiety. It may also result in poor outcomes at school, university or work and gradually weaken the fabric of communities and societies, the report noted.
While most people experience loneliness at some point in their lives, a persistent feeling of loneliness can put individuals in harm’s way.
By contrast, a socially isolated person is someone who lives alone or rarely interacts with others. But isolation and loneliness are not the same; a person can be isolated without feeling lonely. According to the WHO report, social isolation affected up to one in three people between 1990 and 2022 and around one in four teenagers between 2003 and 2018. It, too, can have serious long-term effects on mental and physical health.
Vulnerable groups include people with disabilities, refugees or migrants, LGBTIQ+ individuals and Indigenous and ethnic minority communities.
The report identified several drivers of loneliness and isolation, including poor health, lack of education or income, personality traits, neighbourhood and community characteristics and life transitions such as moving home, job loss, breakups or bereavement. Digital technology was also cited as a contributing factor.
In terms of solutions, the report cited advocacy, public campaigns, networks and coalitions as effective tools for promoting social connection. “When done well, advocacy, campaigns and networks can help change how society sees social isolation and loneliness and help build stronger, kinder and more connected communities,” read the report.
Eight countries have so far adopted national policies on social connection: Denmark, Finland, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.
These policies involve activities such as public awareness campaigns, reducing shame and stigma, increasing research funding, involving people with lived experience in policy design, and building a strong base of scientific evidence through cross-sectoral collaboration.
However, implementing such policies requires political will, sufficient funding and coordination across various sectors of government and society. The WHO also noted that it is still too early to determine which of these policies are most effective, as only a handful of countries have evaluated their impact. The agency has, however, urged governments to adopt policies that prioritise social connection.
At the community level, WHO advocated for strengthening what it calls “social infrastructure”, including well-designed public spaces and local services that foster interaction. Good community areas will offer a range of activities targeting different interests like sports or community gardening, or quieter spots like walking paths or benches where people can relax and chat.
“These improvements can boost social connection, but more research is needed to see how well these ideas work, including in poorer countries,” the report noted.
“Most evidence of effectiveness is available for psychological interventions like cognitive behavioural therapy, social skills training, some things like mindfulness-based therapy, and the like. And there is pretty good evidence that they work,” Christopher Mikton, technical officer at WHO, previously told Down To Earth.
Ghebreyesus made the case for integrating social connection into national health policies, disease prevention strategies, health promotion, universal health coverage and emergency planning. “Social connection must be recognised as a fundamental aspect of health,” he added.