Global Survey Exposes Youth Loneliness Epidemic; Challenges Age-Related Stereotypes

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A recent meta-analysis survey spanning 142 countries revealed an overwhelming sense of solitude among global citizens, with 24 percent of individuals aged 15 and above responding affirmatively to the question, “How lonely do you feel?” According to the survey, you are far from alone if you’ve experienced an emptiness or disconnect.

In scrutinizing the data, an interesting pattern became visible: loneliness seemed to particularly afflict the younger demographics. Nearly 27 percent of young adults falling in the age group of 19 to 29 disclosed feeling either very or somewhat lonely. On the contrary, elders reported least instances of loneliness – a mere 17 percent of individuals aged 65 and above felt the strain of isolation.


The compelling data prompted Ellyn Maese, a senior research consultant with Gallup to remark upon the widespread misconception of loneliness being a malady of the aged. Evidently, loneliness can strike at any age and does not discriminate among its victims. Upon examining the survey’s responses, Maese noted that while male and female respondents expressed near-equal rates of loneliness, disparities were discovered when accounting for geographic and cultural differences.

From June 2022 to February 2023, approximately 1,000 individuals from each participating country were probed through both face-to-face and telephonic modes of communication. These countries accounted for some 77 percent of the globe’s adult population. The study further accentuated previous reports from the World Health Organization and the US surgeon general underscoring the adverse impacts of loneliness on both mental and physical health, including potential fatality risk.

Respected clinical psychologist Dr. Ami Rokach, who specializes in studying loneliness, was initially taken aback by the modest number of respondents reporting positive sentiments. Nevertheless, he postulated that the number of lonely individuals, especially young adults, might be much higher than the survey indicated. Drawing from the surmounting pressures faced by transitional young adults— unstable love lives, vocational indecision, and the tumult of gaining independence from familial institutions—he suggests younger individuals potentially face greater loneliness compared to their older counterparts who might have established stronger social networks and stability.

The survey also noted that despite half of the respondents claiming to not feel lonely, the rest confessed to feeling a slight tinge of isolation. The notion of loneliness, Rokach prescribes, should not be misconstrued with solitude, which can be rejuvenating. Establishing new friendships, volunteering, joining courses to engage with others, and cultivating the art of enjoying solitary time were proposed as potential remedies to mitigate loneliness.

While the detrimental impact of passive social-media use causing comparative isolation was communicated by Dr. Olivia Remes, a mental health investigator at the University of Cambridge, she also encouraged more active and responsive online engagements. And within the spectrum of daily-life interaction, every person encountered could as well be an opportunity to establish a new connection and ward off loneliness.

With findings as profound as these, the world eagerly awaits the upcoming November 1 report from Gallup, exploring the global status of social connections. The research promises to delve deeper into the nuances of loneliness, pondering its variance across national, gender, and age criterion. Meanwhile, Maese remains hopeful that the recent survey infers an opportunity for all: to alleviate loneliness, for oneself and for others, through the sheer power of human connection.