The Social Scene Adapted from: "Society" - Research reveals growing isolation among younger generations.
Loneliness isn’t just an issue for the elder generation: In fact, one in every three people between the ages of 18 and 53 in Germany feel at least a bit lonely, according to a recent study by the Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB). This shocking statistic was announced in Wiesbaden on Wednesday. A lot of young adults under 30 in Germany have been feeling isolated since the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was based on various social scientific data sets from the years 2005 to the winter of 2022/2023.
It's been clear since the pandemic that loneliness is a significant social concern. BiB sociologist Sabine Diabaté mentioned this while also referring to the government's strategy against loneliness. Warning about the harmful effects of loneliness, she stated that it not only makes you sick but also poses social risks. "As loneliness rises in the population, this could become a threat to democracy due to the potential weakening of social cohesion," explained BiB research director Martin Bujard.
Experts Worry about Chronic Loneliness
The study found that loneliness has increased tremendously in Germany in the past five years. While the percentage of lonely individuals among the young and middle-aged demographic remained steady at around 14-17% from 2005 to 2017, it skyrocketed to almost 41% with the start of the pandemic in 2020, and reached almost 47% a year later. As of the winter 2022/2023, loneliness had dropped back to 36%, but it's still higher than before the pandemic. To measure loneliness, the researchers asked individuals about how often they felt lonely.
"Since the Coronavirus pandemic, it's become evident that many young people also struggle with loneliness, even if they don't live alone," explained Diabaté. Despite contact restrictions being lifted, no significant social recovery was noticed by the start of 2023. "Loneliness remains at a high level in the post-pandemic phase, indicating a tendency towards chronicity," she cautioned. Those who are most vulnerable to loneliness, according to the investigation, include those with a low socio-economic status, those without German citizenship, and single parents.
Sociologist Calls for More Empathy
The harmful effects of chronic loneliness are numerous, the researchers noted. Lonely people often suffer from sleep issues, a higher risk of heart disease or strokes, and a weakened immune system. They're also more prone to addiction.
The researchers suggest promoting social participation to help those struggling with loneliness. As Bujard stated, "There needs to be more attention paid to the high prevalence and the pressure of loneliness, as well as more empathy towards others in our day-to-day lives." They suggest organizing visits through family doctor's practices or neighborhood projects to better integrate chronically ill individuals socially.
Federal Institute for Population Research Report
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