A new survey by Germany’s Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) health insurer reveals that loneliness affects 60% of Germans to varying degrees. The study, based on a representative survey of 1,403 people conducted in May, found younger people are more impacted.
Among those aged 18-39, 36% report feeling heavily burdened by loneliness, compared to 19% of those aged 40-59 and 21% of those over 60. Sociologist Janosch Schobin from the Loneliness Network attributes the issue among younger adults to life transitions such as moving or job changes.
Single people are three times more likely to feel lonely than those with partners, with 33% of singles reporting loneliness compared to 22% of those in relationships.
The study found no significant correlation between loneliness and factors like education, gender, or city size. However, poverty, aging, and changes like job loss or separation heighten the risk, often eroding social networks.
