How Loneliness Became a "People's Disease" in Germany
Loneliness is a problem that mainly affects older people? Not anymore. Now, every tenth young person in Germany feels very lonely. However, there are ways out of the painful isolation.
An elderly woman sits alone in her apartment, no one calls, only once a day does the food come on wheels. The woman hardly goes out, she only sees other people rarely: When it comes to the topic of loneliness, many still think of it as a problem that mainly affects older people.
However, this has long since ceased to be the case, as shown by a series of recent studies. In a new analysis by the Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB), 36.4 percent of those aged 18 to 53 say they feel lonely at least in part. Among those aged 19 to 29, 44 percent report being affected by loneliness more often. And a survey by the Bertelsmann Foundation in June shows that about every tenth young person in Germany feels very lonely.
But what has happened? Swiss psychologist and psychotherapist Prof. Udo Rauchfleisch attributes the development, among other things, to the Corona pandemic, in which children and young people were temporarily unable to go to school or sports clubs and meet their friends. Many young people have thus "fallen out of their social network," he explains in an interview with ntv.de.
The experts at BiB describe this as social loneliness, i.e., the lack of a larger network such as through friendships, relatives, or colleagues. Loneliness among young people, however, is not a new phenomenon and has not only begun with the pandemic, Rauchfleisch believes. The Corona time has merely made it tangible: "Some have only realized there that they are lonely."
The Corona time has accelerated processes that have long been in place, says media scientist Denis Newiak in an interview with ntv.de. For example, social media like Instagram or Tiktok have long led to "young people further isolating themselves in their bubbles." Also, many young people do not know how to deal with cyberbullying, which has been a problem for years. "The phenomenon of loneliness is not suddenly falling from the sky." Rather, it has been strengthened by the "catalyst" of the pandemic.
"Modernity makes us lonelier"
The Corona lockdowns are now several years behind us. Going out, meeting friends, going to football training: all of this has long been possible again. Why has the veil of loneliness remained, even intensified?
Newiak sees this mainly in our increasingly complex modern world. "In principle, modernization is of course inevitable because it means a good life for many people. Healthcare, clean water, stable food supply - all this is modernity." But it also has more global political crises, climate catastrophes, and more social anonymity in growing cities as a result: "We live in times that have become very unsettled and confusing. This creates a sense of powerlessness in many people in the medium to long term."
And young people are particularly susceptible to such feelings of helplessness, explains Rauchfleisch: "They move out of their parents' home, leave the class community, and go into a working world that makes new demands on them." In this already uncertain transition phase, young people today are additionally confronted with an "unusually uncertain future." "This can often lead to withdrawal, fears, and feelings of shame, and thus also to loneliness."
Moreover, young people in society have recently been increasingly overlooked. "Teenagers don't have as much representation as children or older people. For years, youth centers and other projects have been closed down because they were deemed unnecessary. We need to reactivate them now."
As Harmful as 15 Cigarettes a Day
Eugen Brysch, chairman of the Patient Protection Foundation, is pushing for faster, concrete measures against loneliness. He says it has become a "national disease" in Germany. According to Sabine Diabaté, co-author of the BiB study, loneliness not only causes social stress but can also lead to physical pain. In lonely people, the immune system doesn't work as well, and the risk of heart disease and strokes increases.
A 2023 study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that social isolation can be as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. The WHO reported in 2023 that lonely people are at a higher risk of suicide, comparable to or even higher than the risk from smoking, obesity, or air pollution.
Therefore, maintaining social connections is as important for health as regular exercise and a balanced diet, especially for young people, says Susanne Bücker. The professor of developmental psychology and pedagogical psychology at the University of Witten/Herdecke says that young people who are lonely have a high risk of remaining lonely throughout their lives.
Politics Has Taken Notice
Whether it's the "Loneliness Barometer" of the Ministry of Family Affairs, the federal government's "Strategy Paper against Loneliness," or the Berlin CDU faction's call for a "Day Against Loneliness," politics has understood that loneliness is an increasing social problem in Germany. Meanwhile, the position of the first German loneliness commissioner, Annabell Paris, has been filled again after only four months in office. But can the problem of growing loneliness be solved on a political level?
Firstly, it raises awareness of the issue, which is an important first step, says Rauchfleisch. But this should be followed by concrete projects like meeting points and community spaces - "and they need money." Newiak also welcomes the idea of an action day against loneliness as a symbol and catalyst for broader societal engagement with the phenomenon. But he also warns that money needs to be invested and more research done on the topic.
Paths Out of Loneliness
Even if significant investment were made in loneliness research right now, it would likely take some time before concrete measures reach lonely people in their daily lives. Rauchfleisch suggests a simple gesture that can help in the meantime: "time gifts." "I can offer to do something together," he says. It's important not to say, "I think you're very lonely," as that can be hurtful and lead to shame and further withdrawal.
If you're feeling lonely, it's advisable to look into various options. These could be visiting services, meals on wheels for the elderly, or courses and groups for young people. "There are many possibilities. It's crucial that those affected are supported and someone is there to say 'come on, let's do this together'."
Coming together, exchanging in person, and staying connected with one's environment is also seen as a key factor in combating loneliness by Martin Bujard. For young people, school trips and excursions are "incredibly important". However, there can also be opportunities for social exchange in kindergartens, schools, doctor's offices, or at the employment agency, according to the research director at the BiB: "We just need to make this more conscious. And everyone working in such institutions can contribute to this."
The European Union has shown interest in addressing loneliness as a societal issue, with organizations like the Bertelsmann Foundation conducting surveys to understand its prevalence. A recent survey by the Bertelsmann Foundation revealed that about every tenth young person in Germany feels very lonely.
Recognizing the severity of loneliness, Eugen Brysch, chairman of the Patient Protection Foundation, has called for faster, concrete measures against loneliness in Germany, comparing it to the harm caused by smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
