A new report by the World Health Organization (WHO), a Geneva-based UN agency, has revealed that loneliness is responsible for more than 871,000 deaths worldwide each year– meaning over 100 lives lost every hour.
The report highlights the widespread impact of loneliness and social isolation on individuals and societies, calling it a “defining public health challenge of our time.”
One in six people are affected by loneliness, with significant implications for health and well-being, the report said.
By contrast, strong social connections are associated with better health and longer life, it added.
WHO defines social connection as the ways in which people relate to and interact with one another. Loneliness is the distressing feeling that arises when there is a gap between desired and actual social relationships, while social isolation refers to the objective lack of social ties.
“In this age when the possibilities to connect are endless, more and more people are finding themselves isolated and lonely,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said.
While loneliness affects people across all ages, young people and people living in low- and middle-income countries are especially vulnerable.
“Even in a digitally connected world, many young people feel alone. As technology reshapes our lives, we must ensure it strengthens – not weakens – human connection,” said Chido Mpemba, co-chair of the WHO Commission on Social Connection, which published the report.
The report, ‘From loneliness to social connection: charting the path to healthier societies’, highlights concerns about excessive screen time and harmful online interactions, particularly among youth and their negative effects on mental health.
Multiple factors contribute to loneliness and social isolation, including poor health, low income and education, living alone, lack of adequate community infrastructure and public policies, as well as certain aspects of digital technologies.
Loneliness and social isolation increase the risk of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, cognitive decline, and early death. Lonely people are twice as likely to experience depression and may also face heightened anxiety and suicidal thoughts.
Conversely, social connection offers protective benefits throughout life, reducing inflammation, lowering the risk of serious illness, promoting mental health, and extending longevity.
The report lays out a roadmap for global action focused on five key areas: policy, research, interventions, improved measurement and public engagement. Together, these aim to reshape social norms and build a movement for social connection.
While the costs of social isolation and loneliness are steep, the benefits of social connections are profound. WHO urged governments, communities, and individuals to make social connections a public health priority.