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Opinion
Chronic loneliness and social isolation have been consistently linked to detrimental physical and mental health effects and an increased risk of premature death. Credit: Shutterstock
– Loneliness is important health. concern on planet Earth. Affects virtually every aspect of human well-being and development throughout the world.
Because loneliness knows no boundaries and affects people of all ages and socioeconomic levels, it has become a major public health problem. Social isolation is It is now being taken seriously enough to provoke intervention by governments, international agencies, institutions and communities.
Chronic loneliness and social isolation have been consistently linked to harmful effects on physical and mental health and higher risk of early death. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized that loneliness is a pressing global problem. health threat and a definition challenge of our time.
To address this problem, the WHO launched an international campaign commission on social connection in November 2023. The commission aimed to have loneliness recognized and resourced as a global public health priority.
The commission issued a report in June 2025 which highlighted three messages. First, social disconnection is widespread across all regions and age groups. Secondly, its impacts are serious and affect health, well-being and development. And thirdly, solutions exist and should be urgently scaled up.
Furthermore, in a 2023 report, The US Surgeon General reported that loneliness increases the risk for cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke and premature death. Persistent loneliness has been reported to be worse for health than being sedentary or obese and is similar to smoking more than half a pack of cigarettes a day.
The complex interactions between social changes, technological advances, especially artificial intelligence, and the Covid-19 pandemic, which reduced economic and social activities, have contributed to increasing levels of loneliness and social isolation. People meet in person.north less frequently than in the past, while self-reported feelings of connectedness have recently shown signs of worsening.
According to a 2023 global Meta-Gallup survey encompassing 142 countries, 24% of those People aged 15 and older, a total of 1.5 billion people worldwide, reported feeling very lonely or quite lonely on a regular basis. Additionally, 27% or 1.7 billion people reported feeling somewhat lonely, while 49% or 3 billion people reported not feeling lonely at all (Figure 1).
Source: Meta-Gallup Poll.
The respondents Those who reported feeling lonely were 36 percentage points more likely to experience sadness than those who did not feel lonely. They were also 30 percentage points more likely to experience worry and stress compared to their counterparts who did not experience loneliness. These findings underscore the importance of physical and mental health effects of frequent feelings of loneliness and social isolation.
The level of loneliness reported in 2023 Gallup poll varies significantly between countriesranging between a maximum of 45% in Comoros and a minimum of 6% in Vietnam. In 22 countries, the percentage of adults who felt lonely the previous day exceeded 30%, and more than half of them were located in Africa (Figure 2).
Source: Gallup Poll.
While loneliness varies significantly between countries, no country is immune to it. Loneliness is not only seen as a personal challenge, but also as a matter of public policy.
Loneliness affects all age groups, but andYoung adults appear to be the most vulnerable. About 30% Of them report feeling lonely every day, and about 63% experience significant symptoms of anxiety and depression related to loneliness.
Among older adults, feelings of loneliness decrease: about 17% of people aged 65 and older report being alone.. However, Many older adults face isolation due to factors such as declining health, loss of social connections, or decreased mobility. Loneliness is also linked to an increase risks of developing dementia, coronary artery disease or stroke.
An international follow-up survey conducted by Gallup in 2024 found that 23% of respondents felt lonely “most of the day” just the day before the survey. Furthermore, approximately one in five Employees around the world reported experiencing a lot of loneliness the day before.
In addition, loneliness is more common among employees under 35 years of age than among those 35 years of age or older. Loneliness also contributes to significant economic and social stress, reducing productivity and affecting education.
The Gallup poll found that The financial situation has a strong effect on loneliness around the world. Men and women who are struggling financially, meaning they find it difficult to survive on their current income, are about to twice as likely like those who are better off financially to say that they felt very lonely the day before. Furthermore, single people are most likely feel alone than those who are married or in a common-law relationship.
Social isolation and chronic loneliness have long-term negative consequences on people’s physical and mental health. Health studies have found that the risk of mortality among people who lack community and social ties is doubletimes higher than that of people who have many social contacts. ONE WHO report It found that loneliness is linked to approximately 100 deaths every hour, for a total of more than 871,000 deaths a year.
Other effects Symptoms of loneliness and social isolation include a shortened life expectancy, cognitive decline, exacerbated mental illness, reduced sleep quality, higher levels of stress and anxiety, adoption of unhealthy habits, and self-deprecating thoughts. Strong social connections can lead to better health and reduce the effects of loneliness (Table 1).
Source: Own elaboration based on health studies.
A variety of factors can contribute to whether an individual experiences loneliness, and the extent, duration, and intensity of loneliness. may vary. In many cases, there is no single cause, but rather a series of factors that can overlap and intensify each other.
Some of the factors that contribute to loneliness are internal, while others are external. Internal factors often involve the way people view themselves and the world around them. They can also include shyness, introversion, low self-esteem, lack of communication skills, and social withdrawal. On the other hand, external factors include physical isolation, relocation, bereavement, divorce, physical disabilities, social exclusion, and over-reliance on social media.
Interacting with another person, even a stranger, can significantly reduce loneliness. On the contrary, dDoing nothing to address social isolation tends to increase loneliness.
Some studies suggest that interacting with an AI companion can reduce loneliness.
Defenders argue that the latest AI chatbots could offer better companionship than many real people, and societies should consider the benefits that AI companions could offer those who feel lonely. Soon, some believe, The most interesting, and perhaps the most empathetic, conversation an individual could have will be with AI about almost any topic.
Instead of reacting with horror, AI chatbot advocates suggest that societies should consider the benefits that AI companions could provide to those who feel lonely. Some AI promoters argue that a inability relating to humans should not be seen as a defect, but rather as a virtue.
AI chatbots are becoming increasingly popular as preferred confidants and companions. For example, a study of younger people found that a third of teenagers use AI chatbots for social interaction. These teens have expressed a preference for AI companions over humans for serious conversations, and find them more satisfying than conversations with real people.
However, there are concerns on using AI companions to address loneliness. Health experts are warning that many people, particularly young people, are developing emotional connections with AI chatbot companions.
Despite these concernsPeople, especially young people, look to AI chatbots for companionship and emotional support. Some fear that relying on AI companions could result in younger generations forming emotional attachments to entities that lack the ability to empathize and care.
By recognizing the signs of loneliness, engaging in meaningful activities, and seeking professional assistance, people can reduce their feelings of loneliness and social isolation. TO combination of Behavioral changes, social intervention and professional support can be helpful in coping with loneliness.
Additionally, managing stress resulting from loneliness can be facilitated by exercising, eating healthily, and getting enough sleep. Pursuing enjoyable hobbies and activities can also offer a distraction from loneliness..
Communicating one’s loneliness to family, friends, and colleagues can strengthen existing relationships and provide emotional support. To manage feelings of loneliness, it is also helpful for people to remain open to making new connections, stay healthy, and seek professional help.
Loneliness is a complex and widespread problem that exists throughout the world. However, there are ways to manage and address it. There are methods aimed at reducing loneliness at the national, community, family and individual levels. These methods include raising awareness and modifying government policies to strengthen social infrastructure, encourage inclusion, and provide psychological support.
Joseph Chamié He is a consulting demographer, former director of the United Nations Population Division and author of numerous publications on population issues.
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