1.

Loneliness as a trend
In today's world, loneliness is not just a personal feeling but a growing trend with significant
societal impacts. As we face challenges like pandemics, understanding loneliness is crucial for our
collective well-being. Because social isolation and loneliness affect the health of societies (not only
psychologically, but also physically), generating serious consequences, including economic ones.

2. A recent global survey found that 33 percent of adults worldwide feel lonely. Brazil leads with 50
percent of respondents declaring that they felt lonely either often, always, or sometimes. Turkey,
India, and Saudi Arabia followed, with 43 percent to 46 percent of people facing loneliness at least
sometimes. On the contrary, the Netherlands, Japan, Germany, and Poland stand out with 38
percent reporting fewer feelings of loneliness.

3. Talking about Loneliness Across Age Groups Worldwide:

Adolescents (12-17 years) in 77 countries reported loneliness, with the lowest prevalence of 9.2%
in South-East Asia and the highest prevalence of 14.4% in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

Young adults (18-29 years) in 30 countries reported loneliness, with the lowest prevalence of 2.9%
in northern European countries and the highest prevalence of 7.5% in eastern European countries.

Middle-aged adults (30-59 years) in 32 countries reported loneliness, with the lowest prevalence of
2.7% in northern European countries and the highest prevalence of 9.6% in eastern European
countries.

Older adults (≥60 years) in 40 countries reported loneliness, with the lowest prevalence of 5.2% in
northern European countries and the highest prevalence of 21.3% in eastern European countries.
Coping with loneliness during the pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has suddenly cut off people from all over the world from their social life, and the
lack of companionship has been a difficult situation for many to cope with. In the United States, people
who experienced lack of company were, unsurprisingly, individuals living alone, and unemployed, disabled,
or unemployed people. In relation to mental health, Americans who reported more symptoms of
depression were by far more likely to feel lonely.

Impact of mental health

According to a survey conducted in 2021 among G7 countries, about seven in 10 people experienced a
worsening of their psychological health during the pandemic. A study on clinician-reported changes in
selected health behaviors in the United States showed that during the pandemic patients have suffered
more from feelings of loneliness, depression or anxiety, and burnout. Also nutrition and other habits have
been impacted. The study reported an increase in alcohol consumption, smoking cigarettes, poor nutrition,
and use of other substances.