New Delhi : In a landmark publication released on June 30, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) Commission on Social Connection has shed light on the pervasive issue of loneliness and social isolation, labeling it a “defining public health challenge of our time.” Titled From Loneliness to Social Connection: Charting a Path to Healthier Societies, the report reveals that one in six people worldwide—approximately 17%—experienced loneliness between 2014 and 2023, with significant implications for health, well-being, and economic outcomes.
Understanding Social Connection and Disconnection
The WHO defines social connection as the myriad ways individuals interact and relate with family, friends, classmates, coworkers, and neighbors. Conversely, social disconnection manifests when individuals lack sufficient social contact, feel unsupported by relationships, or experience strained or negative interactions. The report distinguishes two primary forms of disconnection:
- Loneliness: The distressing feeling arising from a discrepancy between desired and actual social relationships.
- Social Isolation: An objective lack of social ties or infrequent interaction with others.
These definitions underscore the emotional and structural dimensions of disconnection, emphasizing its complexity across cultures and age groups.
Scale of the Problem: A Global Snapshot
The report provides alarming statistics on the prevalence of loneliness and social isolation:
- Loneliness: Globally, about 1 in 6 people (17–21%) felt lonely between 2014 and 2023, with young people aged 13–29 reporting the highest rates, particularly teenagers. Low-income countries bear a heavier burden, with 24% of individuals reporting loneliness compared to 11% in high-income nations.
- Social Isolation: Up to 1 in 3 older adults (1990–2022) and 1 in 4 adolescents (2003–2018) are socially isolated, highlighting vulnerabilities across the lifespan.
Certain groups face disproportionate risks, including people with disabilities, refugees, migrants, LGBTIQ+ individuals, and Indigenous and ethnic minority communities, often exacerbated by discrimination and systemic barriers.
Drivers of Loneliness and Social Isolation
Chapter 3 of the report identifies multiple factors contributing to social disconnection, including:
- Living Alone: Increasing numbers of single-person households, particularly in high-income countries, correlate with higher loneliness rates.
- Weak Community Infrastructure: Inadequate access to parks, libraries, or community centers limits opportunities for social interaction.
- Life Transitions: Events like moving, divorce, or retirement disrupt social networks.
- Unhealthy Digital Technology Use: Excessive screen time and harmful online interactions, especially among youth, weaken real-world connections.
- Poor Health: Physical and mental health issues, such as depression or mobility limitations, hinder social engagement.
- Marginalization: Discrimination against minority groups creates barriers to connection.
- Low Income/Education: Socioeconomic disadvantages restrict access to social opportunities.
The report notes that while digital technologies offer connection potential, their misuse can exacerbate isolation, particularly among young people.
Health and Socioeconomic Impacts
Chapter 4 details the profound consequences of social disconnection:
- Physical Health: Loneliness is linked to an estimated 871,000 deaths annually (2014–2019), contributing to over 100 deaths per hour. It increases risks of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and cognitive decline.
- Mental Health: Lonely individuals are twice as likely to experience depression and face heightened risks of anxiety and suicidal thoughts.
- Socioeconomic Costs: Loneliness undermines academic performance (teenagers who feel lonely are 22% more likely to earn lower grades) and workplace productivity, costing billions in healthcare and lost earnings. Socially isolated adults struggle with employment and earn less over time.
Conversely, strong social connections reduce inflammation, lower disease risk, promote mental health, and enhance longevity, strengthening community resilience and economic prosperity.
A Roadmap for Action: Five Strategic Areas
The WHO outlines a comprehensive roadmap to foster social connection, focusing on five key areas:
- Policy:
- Eight countries, including Denmark, Finland, and Germany, have adopted national policies to promote social connection. The report advocates for integrating social health into broader health and development agendas, with clear monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
- Example: The UK’s 2018 Strategy by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport emphasizes community-led initiatives.
- Research:
- The WHO calls for building global and national research capacity through initiatives like the Grand Challenges in Social Connection. This includes studying drivers like digital technology and developing cross-cultural measurement tools.
- Interventions:
- Launching an intervention accelerator to scale effective programs, such as social prescribing (where doctors refer patients to community activities) and strengthening social infrastructure (e.g., libraries, parks).
- Community strategies, like urban planning for inclusive spaces, are highlighted in Chapter 7.
- Improved Measurement:
- Developing a Global Social Connection Index to standardize data collection and track progress, addressing current limitations in measurement instruments (e.g., Meta-Gallup surveys).
- Public Engagement:
- Large-scale campaigns, events, and group activities aim to shift social norms and reduce stigma. Examples include designated loneliness awareness weeks and coalitions like the UK’s Campaign to End Loneliness, funded by organizations such as the Tudor Trust.
Community and Individual Strategies
Chapters 7 and 8 emphasize grassroots solutions:
- Community Strategies: Strengthening social infrastructure through accessible public spaces (e.g., community gardens, libraries) and social prescribing programs. For instance, a 10-week program in a UK community library showed reduced loneliness among participants.
- Individual Strategies: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) delivered online, skills training for social interaction, and support groups show promise. Digital interventions, like moderated online forums, can facilitate connections but require careful design to avoid harm.
Voices of Lived Experience
The report integrates personal stories to humanize the crisis:
- Polina, a young refugee in Poland with late-diagnosed ADHD, shares her struggles with isolation.
- Amy Kavanagh, a disability activist with vision impairment, advocates for inclusive community participation.
- Puneet emphasizes the value of regular community activities in fostering belonging.
- A Filipino immigrant in Canada reflects on creating new connections despite cultural barriers.
These narratives underscore the universal yet deeply personal nature of loneliness.
Global Call to Action
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stresses that health encompasses social well-being, often neglected in a digitally connected world. “In this age when the possibilities to connect are endless, more and more people are finding themselves isolated and lonely,” he said. Co-chair Dr. Vivek Murthy, former U.S. Surgeon General, adds, “This report pulls back the curtain on loneliness as a defining challenge of our time.”
The WHO urges governments, communities, and individuals to prioritize social connection. Simple actions—like reaching out to a friend, joining local groups, or volunteering—can make a difference. For severe cases, accessing professional support or community services is critical.
Additional Insights: Faith-Based Solutions
The report references FaithAction’s work, highlighting faith-based organizations’ role in tackling loneliness. Reports like Right Up Your Street and Inclusive Social Prescribing (2023) showcase how faith groups provide belonging through activities and support services, advocating for stronger links with other sectors.
Conclusion: Building a Connected Future
The WHO’s From Loneliness to Social Connection report is a clarion call to address a crisis costing millions of lives and billions in economic losses. By integrating social health into policy, research, and community action, the WHO envisions a world where stronger bonds reduce preventable deaths, boost education, and enhance resilience. As Chido Mpemba, co-chair of the Commission, notes, “Even in a digitally connected world, many young people feel alone. We must ensure technology strengthens—not weakens—human connection.”
For those seeking to act, the report is available for download at the WHO Commission’s website, offering a blueprint for healthier, more connected societies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the main focus of the WHO’s From Loneliness to Social Connection report released in 2025?
The report, published by the WHO Commission on Social Connection, highlights the global crisis of loneliness and social isolation, affecting one in six people worldwide. It details their impacts on health, well-being, and economies, and proposes a roadmap with five strategic areas—policy, research, interventions, measurement, and public engagement—to foster social connection and build healthier societies.
2. How widespread is loneliness according to the WHO report?
Between 2014 and 2023, about 17–21% of people globally (one in six) experienced loneliness, with young people aged 13–29, especially teenagers, reporting the highest rates. Low-income countries have a higher prevalence (24%) compared to high-income countries (11%). Social isolation affects up to one in three older adults and one in four adolescents.
3. What are the health and socioeconomic impacts of loneliness and social isolation?
Loneliness is linked to 871,000 deaths annually (2014–2019), increasing risks of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline. Lonely individuals are twice as likely to experience depression. Socioeconomically, loneliness leads to poorer academic performance (22% lower grades for lonely teens), reduced workplace productivity, and billions in healthcare and economic losses.
4. What solutions does the WHO propose to address social disconnection?
The WHO outlines a five-pronged approach:
- Policy: Integrate social connection into national health policies, as done in countries like Denmark and Germany.
- Research: Expand global research through initiatives like the Grand Challenges in Social Connection.
- Interventions: Scale programs like social prescribing and strengthen community spaces (e.g., parks, libraries).
- Measurement: Develop a Global Social Connection Index for standardized data.
Public Engagement: Launch campaigns, events, and activities to reduce stigma and promote connection.
5. Who is most affected by loneliness, and what are its key drivers?
Young people (13–29), older adults, and marginalized groups (e.g., people with disabilities, refugees, LGBTIQ+ individuals) are most vulnerable. Key drivers include living alone, weak community infrastructure, life transitions, unhealthy digital technology use, poor health, marginalization, and low income or education. These factors create barriers to meaningful social interaction.
