By Deborah Nnamdi
The World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed that loneliness is a major global health concern, contributing to the deaths of at least 871,000 people each year.
According to a new WHO commission report, one in six people worldwide experiences loneliness, which—along with social isolation—can have serious health consequences. These include an increased risk of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, depression, anxiety, and suicide.
The report warns that the effects of loneliness are far-reaching. Among teenagers, loneliness is linked to a 22% drop in academic performance, while adults who feel isolated often struggle to find or maintain employment. On a broader scale, loneliness imposes significant economic burdens, costing healthcare systems billions and impacting workforce productivity.
Commission co-chair Dr. Vivek Murthy described loneliness as “a painful, subjective feeling that many of us experience when the relationships we need don’t match the relationships we have.” He differentiated it from social isolation, which is the objective lack of social interactions or relationships.
The report estimates that one in three older adults and one in four adolescents globally are socially isolated. Contributing factors include illness, limited education, low income, living alone, and the increasing use of digital technology, which can replace face-to-face interactions.
Murthy noted that human connection goes beyond words, involving body language, tone, and even silence—forms of communication that are often lost in digital exchanges.
The WHO praised Sweden as a model for addressing loneliness on a national level. According to Swedish Social Minister Jakob Forssmed, the country views loneliness as a societal issue, not just a personal one. Sweden is rolling out policies to encourage social connection in everyday settings like shops, cafes, and community centers.
Among Sweden’s new initiatives: all children and teens will receive prepaid cards usable only for group activities, and mobile phones will be banned in public schools—a move shown to boost social interaction and reduce cyberbullying. Forssmed also pointed out that children often express frustration over parents being distracted by their phones.
While digital tools have made communication easier in many ways, the WHO stresses the need for more opportunities for in-person connection. “Having places and spaces in our lives where we can interact face-to-face without the distraction of technology is very important,” Murthy emphasized.zed.
