A new global report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed that loneliness is responsible for more than 871,000 deaths each year, equating to 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.”
According to the WHO Commission on Social Connection, strong social ties are vital to well-being and longevity, while the absence of these connections significantly raises the risk of serious health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, mental illness, and premature death.
Co-chair of the Commission and youth advisor to the African Union, Dr. Chido Mpemba, said the findings reflect a disturbing paradox: while digital connectivity is expanding, many young people still feel emotionally disconnected.
She emphasised the importance of integrating social connection into national policies on digital access, education, employment, and healthcare.
Social connection, as defined in the report, refers to the ways people relate to and interact with others. Loneliness is described as the distressing feeling that results from a gap between desired and actual relationships, while social isolation refers to the objective lack of social connections.
The report showed that loneliness is not limited to older people but also significantly affects younger populations and those in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It noted that between 17–21 percent of people aged 13 to 29 reported feeling lonely, with the highest levels recorded among teenagers.
The report further estimated that one in three older adults and one in four adolescents suffer from social isolation. Vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities, migrants, and ethnic minorities, often face additional barriers to connection, including discrimination and exclusion.
According to the report, individuals suffering from loneliness are twice as likely to experience depression and are at increased risk of anxiety, self-harm, and suicide.
Despite the rise of digital platforms and tools, WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, noted that many people are becoming more isolated. He warned that, if left unaddressed, the social and economic toll of loneliness will continue to grow, leading to billions in healthcare and productivity losses. He welcomed the Commission’s findings as a call to action for the global community.
The commission explained that loneliness and isolation are driven by various factors such as poor health, poverty, low educational attainment, living alone, lack of supportive infrastructure, and negative digital experiences.
They also urged caution around excessive screen time and harmful online interactions, particularly among young people, as they can aggravate mental health issues.
To address the crisis, the Commission proposed a five-point global roadmap that focuses on policy reform, public awareness, targeted interventions, improved measurement tools, including a global Social Connection Index, and widespread engagement to shift societal norms.
WHO called on all governments, communities, and individuals to treat social connection as a public health priority.
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