Geneva: The World Health Organization has declared loneliness a major global health threat, estimating it contributes to over 800,000 deaths each year. In a report released this week, the UN agency called social disconnection “a public health challenge of our time” and urged immediate action to address it. According to the findings, loneliness results in more than 871,000 deaths annually, over 100 every hour.
WHO defines loneliness as the painful gap between the social connections people want and those they have. Despite increasing digital connectivity, many individuals remain isolated. “This paradox must be addressed urgently,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
One in six people globally is affected, with young people and residents of low- and middle-income countries most at risk. WHO Commission co-chair Chido Mpemba emphasized that even tech-savvy youth often feel disconnected. “Technology should bring us closer, not drive us apart,” she said.
Loneliness is not just emotional. It is linked to serious health problems like stroke, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cognitive decline, depression, and suicidal thoughts. The report notes that socially isolated people face a much higher risk of early death, while those with strong relationships tend to live longer and have better mental health.
“People who live alone are nearly twice as likely to experience depression,” the report warns. WHO has proposed a five-point roadmap to fight this crisis, including policy changes, better data collection, awareness campaigns, and programs to boost social bonds.
WHO urges all nations to embed social connection into their health strategies, build community support systems, and reshape environments to promote face-to-face interaction. The report closes with a powerful message: “Social connection is not a luxury — it is a fundamental human need."
