FReDA Policy Brief • 29.05.2024Loneliness: Especially younger people are feeling increasingly lonely

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The study is based on the data sets GGS, the Family Demographic Panel FReDA at BiB and the Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP). The aim was to find out who is particularly affected by loneliness and how the perception of loneliness has developed in Germany.

Loneliness trend continues after the pandemic

While the proportion of lonely people in young and middle age (18 to 53 years) remained relatively stable at 14 to 17 per cent between 2005 and 2017, it rose to almost 41 per cent at the start of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and reached almost 47 per cent in 2021. Current figures from the winter of 2022/2023 show a decline to 36 per cent, which is still well above the pre-pandemic level.

"Since the coronavirus pandemic at the latest, it has become clear that many younger people also suffer from loneliness, even if they don't live alone," explains BiB researcher Dr. Sabine Diabaté, co-author of the study. Despite the lifting of contact restrictions, there was hardly any sign of social recovery until early 2023: "In the post-pandemic phase, loneliness remains at a high level and there is a tendency towards chronification."

New risk group: younger adults

Loneliness is not only widespread among middle-aged adults aged 30 and over. The study makes it clear that the group of young people under 30 has also been added since the pandemic. They are significantly more frequently affected by loneliness. Around 44 per cent of them feel at least partially lonely. Among the over-30s, the figure is only around 33 per cent. Only one group is affected by loneliness even more frequently, namely people living alone and single and separated parents. Over 50 per cent of them feel lonely.

The analyses show different risk factors for feeling lonely. Accordingly, younger adults (under 30 years of age) are generally less satisfied with their social life and consider themselves to be affected by loneliness more often than middle-aged adults (30-53 years of age).

What factors favour the feeling of loneliness?

The study shows that younger adults (under 30) and people with a low socio-economic status are more frequently affected by loneliness. People without German citizenship, single and separated parents, unemployed people and people with ongoing health problems are also more likely to report feeling lonely. If several of these risk factors come together, the likelihood of loneliness increases significantly.

Differences between social and emotional loneliness

The study is the first to record two different types of loneliness in Germany on a population-representative basis for 18 to 53-year-olds: social and emotional loneliness. Social loneliness affects people who are dissatisfied with their social environment. Emotional loneliness can also affect people with a large social network if they lack closeness to close people. Social loneliness is more common (39 per cent) than emotional loneliness (29 per cent). Women report emotional loneliness more frequently, while men are more likely to be socially lonely.

Consequences for well-being and social cohesion

Chronic loneliness has serious health consequences, such as more frequent sleep problems, a higher risk of coronary heart disease and strokes and a weakened immune system. Lonely people are more susceptible to addiction and show premature physiological ageing processes. In addition, there is an increased risk that lonely people will isolate themselves socially and possibly become politically or religiously radicalised, the authors conclude.

How to combat loneliness?

The researchers see several starting points for combating loneliness. One key factor is the promotion of social participation.

"There needs to be a greater awareness of the prevalence and suffering of loneliness as well as increased mindfulness in everyday life," emphasises FReDA study leader and co-author Prof. Dr. Martin Bujard. According to the BiB study, low-threshold offers of help from training centres, associations, doctors or authorities can also help. One example: Family doctors could arrange visiting services or neighbourhood projects to better integrate the chronically ill socially. Leisure activities are also important for direct social encounters.

From a scientific point of view, continuous monitoring of loneliness in all social and age groups is necessary in order to develop political measures on a solid, evidence-based foundation.