Traditionally associated with the elderly, loneliness is increasingly affecting people of all ages — and in Cyprus, the numbers are alarming.
A recent international study found that Cyprus and Greece recorded the highest levels of loneliness in adults aged 50–90, beating out all other participating countries, including the US, Italy, and Slovakia.
Middle-aged, not elderly, feel it most
While many assume that loneliness worsens with age, researchers at Emory University in Georgia found that in the United States, it’s middle-aged adults — not the elderly — who feel most alone.
The findings came from a major analysis of data from more than 64,000 people in 29 countries. The project was a collaboration between Emory University, Columbia University (USA), McGill University (Canada), and Mayor University (Chile).
Cyprus and Greece at the top
The researchers scored loneliness on a scale from 0 to 6, based on survey responses to questions like:
- “How often do you feel left out?”
- “How often do you feel isolated from others?”
- “How often do you feel you lack companionship?”
Cyprus and Greece each scored 1.7, among the highest in the study. In contrast, countries like Denmark (0.4) and Switzerland (0.5) reported the lowest loneliness levels.
Why are some countries more lonely?
According to researchers, economic instability, weak welfare systems, and declining family support may explain the high scores in Southern and Eastern Europe. In contrast, Nordic countries offer stronger social safety nets, such as free public healthcare, subsidised childcare, and generous parental leave- all of which contribute to lower stress and stronger trust in public institutions.
Denmark’s cultural emphasis on hygge– cosiness, comfort, and community- may also be a contributing factor.
The surprising vulnerability of middle age
In most countries, marital status, unemployment, depression, and poor health were all linked to loneliness. But in Cyprus and the US in particular, middle-aged adults were more affected than the elderly.
Using a model called the COIN (Concentration Index), researchers tracked loneliness levels from age 50 to 90. In many places, the middle years proved the loneliest.
A call for broader mental health support
Dr Esteban Calvo, Dean of Social Sciences and Arts at Mayor University in Chile, said:
“Our findings show that loneliness is not just an old-age issue. Many middle-aged adults struggling with work, caregiving, and isolation are highly vulnerable and need just as much support as older adults.”
He called for targeted national policies that expand mental health screenings, improve support for unemployed or single people, and take country-specific needs into account.
Former US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has long warned that loneliness poses a serious public health risk, calling it a national epidemic linked to addiction, violence, and even early death.
“Loneliness is more than a bad feeling,” he said. “It harms both individual and societal health — from heart disease to reduced productivity and social trust.”
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