German women suffer from loneliness more than men.
A study reveals that women in Germany experience loneliness more frequently than men. The Coronavirus pandemic has widened the gender gap in loneliness. Loneliness statistics released by Federal Family Minister Lisa Paus indicated that the number of lonely women rose from 8.8% in 2017 to 33.2% in 2020, but then dropped to 12.8% in 2021.
In contrast, the percentage of lonely men remained lower. It rose from 6.6% in 2017 to 23.1% in 2020 and fell to 9.8% in 2021. The data was collated from surveys of the Socio-Economic Panel and focuses on people who reported they were often or occasionally lonely.
Overall, loneliness has skyrocketed during the pandemic, particularly among younger people. In 2020, the 18-29 age group registered the highest loneliness rate at 31.8%, while the over-75s saw a rise to 22.8%. Before the pandemic, the elderly were more likely to feel lonely.
"Loneliness is not confined to a specific demographic," stated Paus, referring to the widespread nature of this issue. She considers loneliness a societal issue that affects millions of people. The pandemic has worsened social isolation, which she refers to as "social long Covid." "We must not ignore this enduring problem," she added.
To address this issue, Paus announced a series of measures, including an "Action Week against Loneliness" from June 17th to 21st and a social media campaign featuring short videos targeting young individuals.
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Despite the progress made in addressing gender inequality in Germany, a persistent gap exists in the experience of loneliness between men and women. Recent studies have shown that this gap has been exacerbated during the pandemic, with women reporting higher levels of loneliness compared to men. This trend is largely attributed to social isolation and long-term effects of COVID-19, often referred to as "social long Covid."
Loneliness is not a problem confined to a specific gender or demographic in Germany. A stark rise in loneliness has been observed among younger individuals, particularly within the 18-29 age group, thus underscoring the need for a comprehensive approach to tackle this issue.
Moreover, it is essential to acknowledge that societal factors have contributed to the surge in loneliness, which affects millions of people across all genders and generations. Addressing this issue requires collective efforts and targeted interventions, such as campaigns directed at younger individuals and dedicated awareness-raising events, like the "Action Week against Loneliness."
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