Loneliness Emerges as a Major Global Health Threat

Chronic loneliness and social isolation have been consistently linked to detrimental effects on physical and mental health and increased risk of early death.

Loneliness is a significant health concern on planet Earth. It affects virtually every aspect of human wellbeing and development worldwide.

Because loneliness knows no borders and impacts individuals of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds, it has become a major public health issue. Social isolation is now being taken seriously enough to prompt 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 to an increased risk of early death. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognised loneliness as a pressing global health threat and a defining challenge of our time.

To address this problem, WHO launched an international Commission on Social Connection in November 2023. The commission aimed to have loneliness recognised and resourced as a global public health priority.

In June 2025, the commission issued a report highlighting three key messages. First, social disconnection is widespread across all regions and age groups. Second, its impacts are severe, affecting health, wellbeing and development. Third, solutions exist and should be scaled up urgently.

In a 2023 report, the U.S. Surgeon General stated that loneliness increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke and premature death. Persistent loneliness was found to be worse for health than a sedentary lifestyle or obesity and comparable to smoking more than half a pack of cigarettes a day.

Societal changes, technological advances, especially artificial intelligence, and the COVID-19 pandemic, which reduced economic and social activity, have contributed to rising levels of loneliness and social isolation. People now meet in person less frequently than in the past, while self-reported feelings of connection are worsening.

A 2023 Meta-Gallup global survey covering 142 countries found that 24% of people aged 15 and older — about 1.5 billion individuals — reported feeling very or fairly lonely on a regular basis. Another 27% said they felt a little lonely, while 49% reported not feeling lonely at all.

Those who felt lonely were 36 percentage points more likely to experience sadness and 30 percentage points more likely to experience worry and stress than those who did not. These findings highlight the serious physical and mental health consequences of frequent loneliness.

Loneliness levels vary widely across countries, ranging from 45% in Comoros to 6% in Vietnam. In 22 countries, more than 30% of adults reported feeling lonely the previous day, with over half of these countries located in Africa.

Although loneliness varies between nations, no country is immune. It is increasingly viewed not only as a personal challenge but also as a public policy issue.

Loneliness affects all age groups, but young adults appear to be the most vulnerable. About 30% report feeling lonely every day, and roughly 63% experience significant anxiety and depression related to loneliness.

Among older adults, reported loneliness declines to about 17% among those aged 65 and above. However, many older people face isolation due to declining health, loss of social networks or reduced mobility. Loneliness in this group is also linked to higher risks of dementia, coronary artery disease and stroke.

A 2024 follow-up survey by Gallup found that 23% of respondents felt lonely “a lot of the day” on the previous day, while roughly one in five employees worldwide reported similar feelings.

Loneliness is more common among workers under 35 than among older employees and contributes to economic and social strain by reducing productivity and affecting education.

Financial hardship also plays a major role. Individuals struggling to live on their current income are about twice as likely to report severe loneliness as those who are financially secure. Unmarried people are also more likely to feel lonely than those who are married or in partnerships.

Long-term social isolation significantly increases health risks. Studies show that people lacking strong social ties have a mortality risk about twice that of those with many connections. A WHO report estimates loneliness contributes to roughly 100 deaths every hour, or more than 871,000 annually.

Other consequences include shortened lifespan, cognitive decline, worsening mental illness, poor sleep, high stress, unhealthy habits and negative self-perception. Strong social connections can help mitigate these effects.

Loneliness arises from multiple overlapping factors. Internal factors include shyness, introversion, low self-esteem, poor communication skills and social withdrawal. External factors include physical isolation, relocation, bereavement, divorce, disability, social exclusion and excessive use of social media.

Even brief social interaction, including with strangers, can reduce loneliness, while prolonged isolation tends to intensify it.

Some studies suggest interaction with AI companions may alleviate loneliness. Supporters argue that modern chatbots can provide meaningful conversation and emotional support. However, experts warn that excessive reliance on AI may lead to unhealthy emotional attachment, particularly among young people.

Research indicates that many teenagers already use AI chatbots for social interaction, with some preferring them to human conversations on serious topics.

Health professionals caution that AI systems cannot truly empathise or care, raising concerns about long-term psychological effects.

Managing loneliness often requires a combination of personal effort and social support. Meaningful activities, professional help, healthy lifestyle habits and open communication with family and friends can reduce feelings of isolation.

Governments and communities can also help by strengthening social infrastructure, promoting inclusion and providing mental health support.

Loneliness is a complex global challenge, but it is not insurmountable. With coordinated action at individual, community and national levels, its impact can be reduced.

Joseph Chamie is a consulting demographer, former director of the United Nations Population Division, and author of numerous publications on population issues.