Every Tenth Austrian Constantly Plagued by Loneliness

Over a quarter of 18 to 74-year-olds in Austria feel at least sometimes lonely, with almost one in ten (eight percent) experiencing this emotion always or most of the time. This was revealed by the survey "How We Are Doing Today" by Statistics Austria. Young adults and people with financial difficulties are particularly affected by loneliness, it was stated in a press release on Tuesday. Health limitations are also a reinforcing factor.

Poverty Intensifies Loneliness in Austria

Around 3,500 people were surveyed in the second quarter of 2025 about their well-being in the past four weeks. "Loneliness is particularly common among people from households that cannot afford a large number of goods, services, or social activities that are generally considered necessary for an adequate standard of living. In such households, the proportion of those who are always or mostly lonely was 35 percent. In households with fewer constraints, it was only six percent," commented Manuela Lenk, Director General of Statistics Austria, on the collected data.

Health Minister Schumann: Not a Marginal Phenomenon

Loneliness is not a marginal phenomenon, stated Health and Social Minister Korinna Schumann (SPÖ) in light of the current figures, citing separations, illness, unemployment, or poverty as triggering factors: "These are fates that cannot be indifferent to us as politics and society," said the minister. With the initiative against loneliness, a political focus is therefore being set "together with many partners." "We are investing specifically in projects that bring people together," said Schumann in a background discussion.

Young People and Unemployed Particularly Affected

The current figures show, in any case, that young adults are more frequently affected by loneliness. Twelve percent of the age group 18 to 34 years reported having felt "always" or "mostly" lonely in the past four weeks - eight percent were in the entirety of the respondents. However, household form and income proved to be even stronger influencing factors: "Mostly or always lonely" were 19 percent of those living alone and twelve percent of single parents. In households affected by unemployment, the proportion was 17 percent and among people with low income, it was 16 percent.

Loneliness Makes You Sick

Respondents who stated they were "severely or somewhat health-impaired" were also above average at 13 percent - while those who were "not health-impaired" were below at six percent. Schumann emphasized, referring to scientific studies, that loneliness itself negatively affects health. In combating it, social participation, mental health, and prevention must be considered together, she concluded.

The survey "How We Are Today" by Statistics Austria has been conducted quarterly since the fourth quarter of 2021 with around 3,500 people aged 18 to 74. The project has been fully funded by the Ministry of Social Affairs since 2024. According to Statistics Austria, the aim is to "recognize the social consequences of current crisis developments at an early stage."

(APA/Red)

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