LONELINESS IS A very real issue in today’s society – and this week, new research showed just how big a problem it has become. 

The World Health Organisation’s commission on social isolation found that loneliness affects nearly one in six people worldwide, and causes 871,000 deaths each year.

If those figures were to apply to Ireland, it would mean around 885,000 people in this country are lonely. 

A 2025 European Commission survey found that Ireland is the loneliest country in Europe, while the co-chair of the WHO commission has described loneliness as an epidemic that is on a par with tobacco use and obesity. 

Factors proven to lead to loneliness include physical and mental health conditions, certain personality traits, being single, living alone and lacking access to public transport. 

The WHO said there is speculation that factors such as technology and modernity are increasing loneliness, however, not enough research has been carried out on the topic.

Closer to home, people across Ireland have opened up about their experiences of loneliness following a recent post on Reddit from a 32-year-old woman who said her social isolation makes her feel like an “alien”.

Hundreds of people chimed in, sharing their struggles. “There’s tonnes of us”, one Reddit user said. 

“When I finish work, I go home and don’t get a text or phone call for the four days I’m off unless someone wants something,” a 47-year-old woman said.

The struggle of loneliness over weekends was highlighted by several people, including one Reddit user who said that on Monday mornings they realise they “haven’t spoken out loud” since leaving work on Thursday.

Let us know about your experiences

We want to hear how the loneliness crisis is affecting you.

• Do you feel like you spend more time alone than you would like to?
• Have you struggled to build a support network or circle of people you trust?
• How have these issues impacted you?

Please get in touch by emailing answers@thejournal.ie and telling us about your experiences.

Describe your experience in a paragraph or two and we’ll reflect your stories in a future article on this. 

Please include your name, age and county, and let us know if you would like to remain anonymous.