WHO sounds alarm: loneliness & social isolation now global health threats

A newly released report from the World Health Organization (WHO) Commission on Social Connection highlights the serious global issues of loneliness and social isolation.

It reveals that one in six people worldwide is affected by loneliness, while one in three among older adults and one in four among adolescents globally are estimated to be experiencing social isolation, with profound consequences for both health and well-being.

The report estimates that loneliness leads to nearly 100 deaths per hour, totaling over 871,000 deaths annually. According to the WHO, fostering stronger social connections can improve overall health and increase life expectancy.

Commission Co-Chair and former US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy said in a news release WHO had shared with the media via email, which US and Global News also received, that the commission had a road map to deal with isolation and loneliness globally.

“In this Report, we pull back the curtain on loneliness and isolation as a defining challenge of our time,” said Dr. Murthy. “Our Commission lays out a road map for how we can build more connected lives and underscores the profound impact this can have on health, educational, and economic outcomes.”

The global health organization says it defines social connection as the ways individuals engage with others. While loneliness is described as the emotional pain arising from a gap between the social interactions one desires and what one actually experiences, social isolation is the observational/demonstrable lack of sufficient social relationships.

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also said in the news release, which WHO shared with the members of the press days before the report’s release today, “In this age when the possibilities to connect are endless, more and more people are finding themselves isolated and lonely.”

He added, “Apart from the toll it takes on individuals, families, and communities, left unaddressed, loneliness and social isolation will continue to cost society billions in terms of health care, education, and employment. I welcome the Commission’s report, which shines a light on the scale and impact of loneliness and isolation, and outlines key areas in which we can help people to reconnect in ways that matter most.”

Loneliness

The report reveals that on a global scale, loneliness appears to be most prevalent among adolescents aged 13–17 (20.9%), followed by young adults aged 18–29 (17.4%), then adults aged 30–59 (15.1%), with the lowest rates observed in individuals aged 60 and older (11.8%) and that in low-income countries, approximately 24% of individuals experience loneliness, compared to around 11% in high-income nations.

Chido Mpemba, Commission co-chair and advisor to the African Union chairperson, said, “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. Our report shows that social connection must be integrated into all policies—from digital access to health, education, and employment.”

Social Isolation

Current global estimates suggest that between 25.0% and 33.6% of older adults experienced social isolation between 1990 and 2022. Despite this, a recent survey found that 72% of people worldwide feel at least somewhat connected to others, with only minor variations across age groups and genders. However, socially marginalized groups — including individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ+ communities, migrants and refugees, ethnic minorities and Indigenous peoples — face a higher risk of disconnection compared to the general population in their host countries. It is important to note here that the WHO says that there is currently a lack of comprehensive data on both short- and long-term trends.

The report identifies various factors contributing to loneliness and isolation, including digital technologies, living alone, secularization, poor health, limited education, low income and inadequate community infrastructure. In the report, the WHO also raises concerns about the impact of excessive screen time and harmful online interactions, especially among youth, on their mental health and overall well-being.

The benefits of strong social connections extend across the lifespan, says the WHO’s commission in the report. Socially connected individuals have lower levels of inflammation, a reduced risk of major health issues, better mental health and increased longevity, the report finds. Communities with deep social bonds tend to be safer, healthier and more resilient.

On the other hand, loneliness and isolation significantly elevate the risks of diabetes, stroke, cognitive decline, heart disease and early death. Loneliness also doubles the likelihood of depression and increases the risk of anxiety, self-harm and suicidal thoughts.

These conditions also impact academic performance and employment prospects.

A global survey involving more than 518,000 15-year-olds across 75 countries linked loneliness to lower academic achievement. Likewise, a long-term study in England and Wales tracking over 2,000 twins found that 18-year-olds experiencing loneliness had a 22% higher likelihood of obtaining fewer educational qualifications. Those who felt lonely at both 12 and 18 years of age — indicating persistent loneliness — were especially likely to achieve lower academic outcomes. This may be due to diminished self-esteem and perceived ability, as well as disrupted sleep patterns, both of which are important for cognitive functioning.

With regard to employment prospects and income, the report says that in England and Wales, individuals who experienced loneliness during early adolescence were more likely in young adulthood to be disengaged from education, employment or training. They also tended to have lower employability scores — reflecting education level, work history and self-perceived work readiness — and reported feeling lower in social status. Among working-age adults, persistent loneliness has been linked to a higher risk of unemployment, suggesting a potentially two-way relationship between loneliness and joblessness. In the workplace, loneliness is also associated with reduced performance, diminished job satisfaction and an increased risk of burnout. Longer-term consequences include financial impacts: a study in Norway tracking over 3,000 adolescents found that those who felt lonely were more likely to earn lower incomes later in life, possibly due to challenges in forming professional networks that foster career success.

Loneliness at the community level erodes social bonds, leading to considerable consequences — including diminished productivity and higher healthcare expenditures. In contrast, communities with robust social ties tend to be more unified, enjoy better overall health and demonstrate greater resilience in times of crisis, such as during natural disasters.

The WHO Commission’s report presents a detailed strategy to tackle loneliness and social isolation, emphasizing five priority areas: strengthening policy frameworks, advancing research, implementing effective interventions, enhancing measurement tools (such as creating a global Social Connection Index) and engaging the public to reshape social norms and foster a worldwide movement for social connection.

The report highlights a broad spectrum of responses that can be applied across different layers of society—from government initiatives and local efforts to personal actions. Strategies include increasing societal understanding, updating existing frameworks, investing in shared public spaces like green areas and cultural venues, and ensuring access to mental health resources.

“Most people know what it feels like to be lonely,” says the news release we received from the WHO. “And each person can make a difference through simple, everyday steps—like reaching out to a friend in need, putting away one’s phone to be fully present in conversation, greeting a neighbor, joining a local group, or volunteering.”

“If the problem is more serious, finding out about available support and services for people who feel lonely is important.”

In unveiling this report, the World Health Organization calls on governments, local groups, and individuals alike to treat fostering social connection as a vital component of public health strategy.

The WHO’s report comes after the adoption of the first-ever resolution on social connection at the World Health Assembly in May 2025, calling on countries to develop evidence-based policies to promote social connection for better mental and physical health. WHO also announced at the assembly a new global campaign, “Knot Alone,” aimed at promoting social connection for health benefits. The campaign will be featured on WHO’s social media channels.

The commission’s flagship report will be publicly available here by 15.00 CEST / 13.00 GMT / 9.00 EDT today.

Featured Image (which shows the headquarters of WHO in Geneva, Switzerland) Attribution: © WHO / PIERRE ALBOUY