On Monday, the World Health Organisation released its long-awaited report on the global crisis of loneliness.
The new report “From Loneliness to Social Connection: Charting a Path to Healthier Societies”, delivers a powerful message: loneliness and social disconnection is now one of the biggest global risks to health, wellbeing, and societal resilience.
The report follows a landmark resolution passed in May, when more than 75 countries voted to recognise social connection as a global health priority.
Crucially, the report highlights again what we’ve known for a while – that young people are now one of the biggest groups at highest risk of loneliness across the world.
Despite growing up in the most digitally connected era in history – 1 in 5 young people aged 13 to 29 say they feel persistently lonely.
The ground-breaking report revealed several key findings, including:
1) Health impacts rival major illnesses
Loneliness is tied to a dramatic rise in serious health conditions – raising the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, dementia, depression, anxiety, and suicide – comparable to smoking, obesity, or physical inactivity.
2) 30% Higher Risk of Premature Death
People experiencing social isolation and loneliness face a >30% increased risk of early death, similar to the health risks of heavy smoking or obesity.
3) Early Loneliness Predicts Lifelong Mental Health Issues
Loneliness earlier in life significantly increases the odds of depression and anxiety, with effects lasting nine years or more.
4) Social Isolation Doubles Suicide Risk in Men
Lack of connection is the strongest predictor of suicidal thoughts, attempts, and lethal behaviour, especially in men.
5) A Huge Economic Burden
Loneliness and social isolation have a massive economic impact – costing individuals, employers, health systems, and national economies, with loneliness estimate to cost $406 billion in the USA alone.
The WHO highlights the promise of social engagement interventions, approaches like ours that increase people’s opportunities to engage in meaningful interaction in their communities through structured, purposeful activities and facilitated socialisation.
It highlights that particularly amongst young people, this has shown particular “promise to help those experiencing loneliness, social isolation and poor mental health”.
The WHO calls on governments to support the creation of a National Intervention Accelerator: a dedicated mechanism to develop, fund, and scale proven solutions to loneliness.
This aligns with what we’ve been urging for years: upstream investment in proven, community-rooted interventions targeted at young people, supported by national infrastructure and long-term funding.
Finally, the WHO’s global engagement strategy echoes this goal:
“Prioritise social connection on global agendas, raise awareness through campaigns and a unified narrative, and build a movement.”
We believe this isn’t just a recommendation – it’s a moral imperative.
If we want to create a more healthy, prosperous and resilient society, it’s time we reframe loneliness and shift the narrative.
It’s time we recognise that loneliness isn’t a personal failing and recognise it as one of the most urgent and overlooked public health challenges of our time.
But we can’t solve it alone. The WHO is clear: tackling loneliness at scale requires a whole-of-society response.
That means collaboration across sectors – health, education, housing, transport, digital infrastructure and across roles, from policymakers and funders to community leaders, frontline practitioners, and people with lived experience.
The UK was once a global leader in tackling loneliness, the first country with a dedicated minister and a national strategy.
What was once a world-leading position with the UK’s 2018 loneliness strategy has slipped into policy drift.
Today, according to The Times, the UK now has the highest rates of young adult loneliness in the Europe.
This report should be a wake-up call for the government that we must take urgent and decisive action to address it.
