Loneliness trends between 2013 and 2024 and future projections among the general population in Finland up to the year 2040

Aims: Subjective experience of loneliness is recognized as an increasing public health and an economical concern. We examined the past and future trends in loneliness among men and women in Finland from 2013 to 2040. Methods : We analyzed seven representative cross-sectional surveys from 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024 ( N = 199,229, aged 20 years or older). Multiple imputation was used to project the prevalence of loneliness up to the year 2040. Results : During the period 2013–2018, the prevalence of loneliness was stable for men and slightly declining for women, ending up at around 8.2% for men and 8.5% for women. However, after 2018, trends showed an increase in the prevalence of loneliness among all age groups. Over the 6 year period, the prevalence of loneliness increased 6.2 percentage points (pp) among the 20- to 39-year-old people and 6.9 pp among the 40- to 54-year-old people. In older age groups, the increase was less steep. An increasing trend is projected to continue in the general adult population, and by 2040, the prevalence of loneliness is projected to end up around 18%. Conclusions : If the observed increasing trend cannot be reversed, loneliness is likely to become more prevalent, posing significant concerns for well-being and health across the lifespan, especially among working-age adults. To address this, national loneliness reduction programs recommended by the WHO Commission on Social Connection are needed.