A new international study conducted by researchers at Emory University has revealed that Greece and Cyprus are home to the world’s loneliest populations, according to nypost.com.
The study analyzed loneliness rates across 29 countries, placing Greece at number one and its close neighbor, Cyprus, in second. Slovakia and Italy followed closely, while the United States rounded out the top five.
Although loneliness is commonly associated with aging, the study found a more complex picture. In the U.S., for example, it’s not the elderly but middle-aged adults who report the highest levels of loneliness. “There is a general perception that people get lonelier as they age, but the opposite is actually true in the US where middle-aged people are lonelier than older generations,” said Dr. Robin Richardson of Emory University.
In contrast, the high loneliness rates in Greece and Cyprus were largely driven by older adults. Contributing factors include being unmarried, joblessness, declining health, and mental health struggles—issues shared across various age groups worldwide.
“Our findings show that loneliness is not just a late-life issue. In fact, many middle-aged adults—often juggling work, caregiving, and isolation—are surprisingly vulnerable and need targeted interventions just as much as older adults,” added Dr. Esteban Calvo according to the Daily Mail.
While many countries grapple with this emotional epidemic, places like Denmark, Switzerland, and Austria reported the lowest levels of loneliness, suggesting that cultural and social structures may play a significant role in emotional well-being.
As the Mediterranean nations of Greece and Cyprus lead this concerning list, the data signals a growing need for community-based solutions and support systems.
Source: nypost.com
