Loneliness in single people

Lonely hearts
Lack of life partner

Nature

The causes of loneliness are multifaceted and complex. Living alone is clearly a factor. Older private renters are at high risk of loneliness and anxiety. Low-income individuals are more likely to experience loneliness. So, too, are people who have a serious mental or physical health condition or have had a serious disruptive event (financial or job loss, illness or injury, or relationship breakdown) in their past.

Background

Loneliness among single people emerged as a recognized global concern in the mid-20th century, as urbanization and shifting social norms led to increased numbers of individuals living alone. Early sociological studies in the 1960s and 1970s highlighted the psychological and health impacts of social isolation in singles, prompting further international research. In recent decades, demographic trends and digital communication have intensified awareness, with cross-cultural studies documenting its prevalence and consequences worldwide.

Incidence

In 1990, five million Britons lived alone. Single people are estimated to comprise thirty percent of households by the year 2000. The next two decades are expected to see a rise in the number of bachelors by 10%, and in the number of single women by 12.3%.

Claim

The reduction in life span for people experiencing loneliness is similar to that caused by smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and it’s greater than the impact on life span of obesity … Look even deeper, and you’ll find loneliness is associated with a greater risk of heart disease, depression, anxiety and dementia.

Counter-claim

Loneliness in single people is vastly overstated and simply not an important problem. In today’s connected world, individuals have endless opportunities to build friendships, join communities, and pursue fulfilling hobbies. Blaming singleness for loneliness ignores personal responsibility and resilience. Instead of pathologizing being single, we should celebrate independence and self-sufficiency. Society’s obsession with coupling up is outdated—loneliness is a personal challenge, not a societal crisis demanding urgent attention.