GITNUXREPORT 2025

Male Loneliness Epidemic Statistics

Male loneliness epidemic worsened, affecting mental health, physical health, and society.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

Men in the lowest income brackets report loneliness at twice the rate of those in higher income groups

Statistic 2

Mobile phone and social media use help reduce loneliness for some men but exacerbate it for others, depending on usage patterns

Statistic 3

Nearly one in three men report feeling lonely on a regular basis

Statistic 4

Men are less likely than women to seek help for mental health issues related to loneliness

Statistic 5

In the UK, over 9 million men report feeling lonely often or always

Statistic 6

Among elderly populations, 43% of men report feeling intensely lonely

Statistic 7

Young men aged 18-24 are among the fastest-growing groups experiencing loneliness

Statistic 8

In the US, 20% of men report being lonely most of the time

Statistic 9

Male loneliness has been linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease

Statistic 10

Only about 41% of men feel they can confide in someone about their personal problems

Statistic 11

The economic cost of male loneliness in terms of healthcare and lost productivity runs into billions annually

Statistic 12

Middle-aged men show a high prevalence of loneliness, with around 15-20% experiencing it regularly

Statistic 13

The loneliness epidemic among men has increased by over 30% in the last decade

Statistic 14

Male students in universities report loneliness at rates of up to 35%, impacting academic performance

Statistic 15

Men living in rural areas report higher levels of loneliness compared to urban counterparts

Statistic 16

Over 60% of men aged 50+ report feeling lonely sometimes or often

Statistic 17

Men who experience job loss during economic downturns report a 25% increase in loneliness

Statistic 18

Recent studies show that men are 30% less likely to seek mental health help than women, correlating with higher loneliness levels

Statistic 19

Male students who report loneliness are twice as likely to experience depression and anxiety

Statistic 20

Experiencing loneliness during middle age increases the risk of dementia later in life by 60%

Statistic 21

Men diagnosed with social anxiety disorder often experience severe loneliness, with prevalence rates over 50%

Statistic 22

Men who identify as LGBTQ+ report higher levels of loneliness compared to heterosexual men

Statistic 23

The number of men suffering from chronic loneliness has increased by approximately 15% during the COVID-19 pandemic

Statistic 24

Men aged 55-64 have some of the highest loneliness scores, with over 25% reporting frequent loneliness

Statistic 25

Male prisoners experience loneliness at a rate of over 70%, impacting mental health and recidivism rates

Statistic 26

Men with strong social connections are 60% less likely to experience depression linked to loneliness

Statistic 27

The stigma around male vulnerability prevents many men from seeking social support, contributing to higher loneliness levels

Statistic 28

Men with a history of childhood trauma are twice as likely to report loneliness in adulthood

Statistic 29

Men engaging in mindfulness and mental health programs report 30% reductions in feelings of loneliness, emphasizing the benefit of mental wellness initiatives

Statistic 30

During lockdown periods, male loneliness increased sharply, with some surveys indicating a rise of over 20%

Statistic 31

Men who participate regularly in hobbies or creative activities report lower loneliness scores, with a decrease of up to 35%

Statistic 32

Men who live alone are twice as likely to experience severe loneliness compared to those living with others

Statistic 33

Men are less likely than women to participate in social activities that reduce loneliness

Statistic 34

Men with fewer social connections are 50% more likely to die prematurely

Statistic 35

Factors contributing to male loneliness include lack of emotional expression, cultural stigmas, and declining community engagement

Statistic 36

Male veterans have a higher incidence of loneliness, with estimates around 40%-50%

Statistic 37

Men who are single, divorced, or widowed are significantly more likely to report loneliness than married men

Statistic 38

Male caregivers often experience loneliness due to the demands of their role, with prevalence rates over 45%

Statistic 39

Men with chronic illnesses report higher levels of loneliness, with rates exceeding 50% in some groups

Statistic 40

Men who participate in online communities and virtual interactions report lower levels of loneliness, highlighting alternative social avenues

Statistic 41

Male athletes involved in team sports show significantly lower loneliness scores than those not participating in organized sports

Statistic 42

Men who frequently change jobs or residences are at increased risk of loneliness, with a 20-30% higher incidence

Statistic 43

Male participation in community volunteering reduces feelings of loneliness by nearly 25%, highlighting the importance of social contribution

Statistic 44

Men living in segregated or underprivileged neighborhoods report loneliness rates over 35%, due to lack of social infrastructure

Statistic 45

Men who are involved in spiritual or religious communities report significantly lower levels of loneliness, with reductions up to 40%

Slide 1 of 45

Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

Nearly one in three men report feeling lonely on a regular basis
Men are less likely than women to seek help for mental health issues related to loneliness
In the UK, over 9 million men report feeling lonely often or always
Among elderly populations, 43% of men report feeling intensely lonely
Young men aged 18-24 are among the fastest-growing groups experiencing loneliness
Men who live alone are twice as likely to experience severe loneliness compared to those living with others
In the US, 20% of men report being lonely most of the time
Male loneliness has been linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease
Only about 41% of men feel they can confide in someone about their personal problems
Men are less likely than women to participate in social activities that reduce loneliness
The economic cost of male loneliness in terms of healthcare and lost productivity runs into billions annually
Middle-aged men show a high prevalence of loneliness, with around 15-20% experiencing it regularly
Men with fewer social connections are 50% more likely to die prematurely

Despite being often invisible, male loneliness is skyrocketing worldwide, with nearly one in three men regularly feeling isolated—a silent crisis with stark health, social, and economic consequences that demands urgent attention.

Demographic and Socioeconomic Factors

Men in the lowest income brackets report loneliness at twice the rate of those in higher income groups

Demographic and Socioeconomic Factors Interpretation

The data underscores a sobering reality: economic hardship not only strains wallets but also leaves men in the lowest income brackets twice as lonely, highlighting that financial stability might just be the missing ingredient in combatting male loneliness.

Impact of Lifestyle, Behavior, and External Factors

Mobile phone and social media use help reduce loneliness for some men but exacerbate it for others, depending on usage patterns

Impact of Lifestyle, Behavior, and External Factors Interpretation

While smartphones and social media can serve as digital lifelines for some men seeking connection, for others they become echo chambers that deepen feelings of isolation, illustrating that technology's role in loneliness is as complex as it is pervasive.

Mental Health and Well-being

Nearly one in three men report feeling lonely on a regular basis
Men are less likely than women to seek help for mental health issues related to loneliness
In the UK, over 9 million men report feeling lonely often or always
Among elderly populations, 43% of men report feeling intensely lonely
Young men aged 18-24 are among the fastest-growing groups experiencing loneliness
In the US, 20% of men report being lonely most of the time
Male loneliness has been linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease
Only about 41% of men feel they can confide in someone about their personal problems
The economic cost of male loneliness in terms of healthcare and lost productivity runs into billions annually
Middle-aged men show a high prevalence of loneliness, with around 15-20% experiencing it regularly
The loneliness epidemic among men has increased by over 30% in the last decade
Male students in universities report loneliness at rates of up to 35%, impacting academic performance
Men living in rural areas report higher levels of loneliness compared to urban counterparts
Over 60% of men aged 50+ report feeling lonely sometimes or often
Men who experience job loss during economic downturns report a 25% increase in loneliness
Recent studies show that men are 30% less likely to seek mental health help than women, correlating with higher loneliness levels
Male students who report loneliness are twice as likely to experience depression and anxiety
Experiencing loneliness during middle age increases the risk of dementia later in life by 60%
Men diagnosed with social anxiety disorder often experience severe loneliness, with prevalence rates over 50%
Men who identify as LGBTQ+ report higher levels of loneliness compared to heterosexual men
The number of men suffering from chronic loneliness has increased by approximately 15% during the COVID-19 pandemic
Men aged 55-64 have some of the highest loneliness scores, with over 25% reporting frequent loneliness
Male prisoners experience loneliness at a rate of over 70%, impacting mental health and recidivism rates
Men with strong social connections are 60% less likely to experience depression linked to loneliness
The stigma around male vulnerability prevents many men from seeking social support, contributing to higher loneliness levels
Men with a history of childhood trauma are twice as likely to report loneliness in adulthood
Men engaging in mindfulness and mental health programs report 30% reductions in feelings of loneliness, emphasizing the benefit of mental wellness initiatives
During lockdown periods, male loneliness increased sharply, with some surveys indicating a rise of over 20%
Men who participate regularly in hobbies or creative activities report lower loneliness scores, with a decrease of up to 35%

Mental Health and Well-being Interpretation

Despite constituting nearly one-third of the male population experiencing frequent loneliness—exacerbated by societal stigma, reluctance to seek help, and pandemic-induced isolation—men’s chronic solitude not only jeopardizes their mental and physical health but also imposes billions in economic costs, illustrating that male loneliness is a silent epidemic demanding urgent societal recognition and intervention.

Social Connections and Relationships

Men who live alone are twice as likely to experience severe loneliness compared to those living with others
Men are less likely than women to participate in social activities that reduce loneliness
Men with fewer social connections are 50% more likely to die prematurely
Factors contributing to male loneliness include lack of emotional expression, cultural stigmas, and declining community engagement
Male veterans have a higher incidence of loneliness, with estimates around 40%-50%
Men who are single, divorced, or widowed are significantly more likely to report loneliness than married men
Male caregivers often experience loneliness due to the demands of their role, with prevalence rates over 45%
Men with chronic illnesses report higher levels of loneliness, with rates exceeding 50% in some groups
Men who participate in online communities and virtual interactions report lower levels of loneliness, highlighting alternative social avenues
Male athletes involved in team sports show significantly lower loneliness scores than those not participating in organized sports
Men who frequently change jobs or residences are at increased risk of loneliness, with a 20-30% higher incidence
Male participation in community volunteering reduces feelings of loneliness by nearly 25%, highlighting the importance of social contribution
Men living in segregated or underprivileged neighborhoods report loneliness rates over 35%, due to lack of social infrastructure
Men who are involved in spiritual or religious communities report significantly lower levels of loneliness, with reductions up to 40%

Social Connections and Relationships Interpretation

Despite living in an age of digital connection and cultural shifts promoting emotional openness, men—particularly veterans, caregivers, and those with health issues—remain twice as likely to face profound loneliness, revealing that true social integration still hinges on community, vulnerability, and a willingness to "show up" for others beyond the screen.