Yemi Olakitan
The World Health Organisation has sounded the alarm on what it describes as a growing global public health threat: loneliness.
In a new report released on Monday, the WHO revealed that loneliness is responsible for an estimated 871,000 deaths every year worldwide.
The organisation’s Commission on Social Connection found that one in six people globally suffers from loneliness—a condition it links to a wide range of serious health problems including strokes, heart attacks, diabetes, depression, anxiety, and suicide.
“Loneliness is a painful, subjective feeling that many of us experience when the relationships that we need do not match the relationships that we have,” said Dr. Vivek Murthy, co-chair of the WHO commission. He added that social isolation—closely related but distinct—is the objective state of having few relationships or interactions.
The report shows that loneliness cuts across age groups. About one in three older people and one in four adolescents are believed to be socially isolated. Among teenagers, loneliness is associated with a 22% higher likelihood of poor academic performance. For adults, the consequences include greater difficulty securing and retaining employment.
Beyond individual suffering, the economic and societal costs are staggering. The WHO estimates billions of dollars are lost annually through increased healthcare spending and reduced workforce productivity linked to loneliness and isolation.
The WHO report highlights Sweden as a model for proactive intervention. The Scandinavian country has adopted a nationwide strategy to address loneliness as a societal issue rather than merely an individual burden.
Swedish Social Minister Jakob Forssmed said that the government is investing in initiatives to strengthen social connections. Among the measures: children and teenagers will receive prepaid cards usable only for group leisure activities, encouraging shared experiences over solitary screen time. The country also plans to ban mobile phones in public schools—a move that, according to studies, fosters greater peer interaction and reduces cyberbullying.
“Children sleep better, socialize more, and report less frustration when phones are taken out of the classroom and parents are more present at home,” Forssmed noted.
The WHO is urging governments, institutions, and communities to create more face-to-face engagement opportunities and limit excessive reliance on digital technologies. While video calls and social media can help bridge physical distances, the report stresses that meaningful human connection often requires in-person, undistracted interaction.
“Having places and spaces in our life where we can interact face-to-face with other people without the distraction of technology is very important,” Murthy said.
As loneliness continues to quietly threaten both health and social cohesion, the WHO’s warning is clear: tackling isolation is not just a personal need—it’s a public imperative.
