Loneliness, a universal experience and a shared human sentiment, is reported by nearly one in four adults across the globe, according to a new survey conducted by Meta-Gallup. Based on responses from people in 142 different countries, the study found that 24 per cent of individuals aged 15 and above had self-reported feelings of loneliness. When asked, “How lonely do you feel?” a significant majority affirmed it to be a prevalent emotion.
Interestingly, the study discovered the highest rates of loneliness among young adults, with nearly 27 per cent of adults aged 19 to 29 self-reporting feelings of isolation. On the contrary, the loneliness rates were significantly lower among older adults, around 17 per cent for those aged 65 and up.
While over half of adults aged 45 and over reported an absence of loneliness in their lives, a stark contrast was noted in those aged 45 and under, where feelings of loneliness were prevalent. According to Ellyn Maese, the senior research consultant at Gallup, loneliness is not merely an issue related to age, but an experience that can affect anyone, irrespective of age.
Regarding gender differences in reported loneliness, while no major differences were noted between males and females, there were substantial disparities in specific regional contexts. Women reported feeling more lonely than men in 79 out of 142 countries surveyed.
Approximately 1,000 of population per country participated between June 2022 and February 2023, comprising about 77 per cent of the world’s adult population. The study referenced a World Health Organization report indicating the adverse impact of loneliness and social isolation on physical and mental health, sometimes leading to premature mortality.
Israel-based clinical psychologist Dr. Ami Rokach, who specializes in loneliness, suspects that many more people, particularly young adults, may be experiencing loneliness but choose not to report it, leading to a much higher percentage of loneliness than represented. Young adults, being in a transitional phase, often dealing with uncertainties in personal and professional life, are more likely to feel lonely compared to older adults.
In spite of 49 per cent of surveyed adults reporting absence of loneliness, a little over half admitted to feeling lonely to some extent. Concerningly, loneliness seems to be a growing issue post-pandemic despite humans’ innate desire for social contact. According to Dr. Olivia Remes, mental health researcher at the University of Cambridge, strong social support networks constitute a crucial defense against adversities. However, she warns against the hazardous use of social media where passive scrolling and comparison to others’ seemingly perfect lives could intensify feelings of loneliness.
Looking forward to November 1, Meta-Gallup is planning to publish a report that delves deeper into the global state of social connections, including these findings and exploring the various degrees of reported loneliness worldwide.
Enlightened by the research findings, Maese calls for more profound exploration into the phenomenon of loneliness and social connections, encouraging more studies and investigations on how loneliness varies by different countries, ages, and genders. There is an opportunity, after all, to combat everyday loneliness through enhanced social interactions and reducing isolation among individuals. “To be understood, as to understand, that is the key to reduce loneliness in our lives and in the lives of others,” she said, emphasizing the value of understanding and connection in our shared human experience.
