With men in the United States reporting 15.3% having no close friends and loneliness linked to a 26% higher risk of death on average, these figures raise urgent questions about the scale of the male loneliness epidemic and what can be done next.
Key Takeaways
- In the U.S., men have higher prevalence of social isolation than women, with 15.3% of men reporting they have no close friends (AHRQ/HHRA summary of social isolation measures).
- In the U.S., 19% of adults report they 'rarely or never' talk to people they feel close to (National Academies summary of social isolation data; based on U.S. survey estimates).
- A meta-analysis found that loneliness increases the odds of mortality by 26% on average (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2015).
- Men are less likely than women to seek mental health care, with U.S. data showing males make up 25% of psychotherapy users (NIMH/MEPS summary).
- In the U.S., 8.7% of men reported no mental health care in the past year despite having treatment needs (SAMHSA/NHCS-based estimates summarized by NIMH/NIH resources).
- A review found men are more likely than women to use 'avoidant' coping strategies associated with reduced social engagement (peer-reviewed review; mechanism).
- Loneliness interventions in a meta-analysis reduced loneliness by about 0.3 standard deviations overall (Hwang et al., peer-reviewed meta-analysis).
- A randomized trial of 'befriending' reduced loneliness at follow-up with an effect size around d = 0.40 (Lancet Psychiatry trial report).
- The same Lancet Psychiatry report found improved social contact frequency by about 1.2 additional contacts per month (trial outcome).
- In the UK, the Adult Social Care Survey found that unpaid carers report higher loneliness risk; among men providing care, 24% reported feeling lonely 'some of the time or more' (survey report data).
- A 2023 review estimated global economic burden from loneliness/soc. isolation to be substantial, citing a 2018/2019 UK cost estimate of £6.7bn (review summary).
- Loneliness increases odds of mortality by 26% (economic implication via health outcomes; Holt-Lunstad et al., 2015 meta-analysis).
- In England, social prescribing is funded under the NHS Long Term Plan; NHS England set an ambition for 2 million people to be referred by 2024/25 (policy target).
- In the U.S., the 2023 Surgeon General advisory included 'evidence that social isolation and loneliness are associated with increased risk of premature death' (advisory summary with data).
- The advisory noted that loneliness and social isolation are associated with a 26–29% increased risk of mortality (advisory evidence).
One in four men feel lonely or isolated, and loneliness raises mortality risk by about 26 percent.
Prevalence & Risk
1In the U.S., men have higher prevalence of social isolation than women, with 15.3% of men reporting they have no close friends (AHRQ/HHRA summary of social isolation measures).[1]
Verified2In the U.S., 19% of adults report they 'rarely or never' talk to people they feel close to (National Academies summary of social isolation data; based on U.S. survey estimates).[2]
Verified3A meta-analysis found that loneliness increases the odds of mortality by 26% on average (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2015).[3]
Verified4The same meta-analysis reported an average 29% increase in risk of cardiovascular events associated with social isolation (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2015).[3]
Directional5In a U.S. meta-analysis of social relationships and health, social isolation was associated with a 29% increased risk of mortality (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2010).[4]
Single source6In Holt-Lunstad et al. (2010), loneliness itself was associated with a 26% increased risk of mortality.[4]
Verified7In a large U.S. survey analysis, men aged 18–29 had a higher probability of reporting loneliness compared with older groups (analysis reported by Surgeon General advisory materials).[5]
Verified8The U.S. Surgeon General's 2023 advisory summarized that about 1 in 4 adults report feeling lonely or isolated (HHS).[5]
Verified9In the U.S., 1 in 3 adults 45+ report they have insufficient social contacts (National Academies report summary statistics).[2]
Directional10In a UK longitudinal study of aging, social isolation was associated with a hazard ratio of 1.29 for mortality (Beller & colleagues cited in UK healthy longevity evidence).[6]
Single source11In a U.S. cohort, loneliness was associated with a 45% higher risk of death over time (Cacioppo et al., referenced in NIH/NIA).[7]
Verified12In the Health Survey for England (2018), 18.1% of adults reported feeling lonely some of the time or more (NHS Digital/HSE publication).[8]
Verified13In HSE 2018, 6.0% of adults reported feeling lonely 'often' or 'always' (NHS Digital/HSE publication).[8]
Verified14In HSE 2018, men had higher loneliness prevalence than women: 6.7% vs 5.3% 'often/always' (NHS Digital/HSE 2018 tables).[9]
Directional15In HSE 2018, 23.1% of men reported feeling lonely 'some of the time' or more (NHS Digital/HSE 2018 tables).[9]
Single sourcePrevalence & Risk Interpretation
Across multiple studies, men show noticeably higher loneliness, such as 15.3% reporting no close friends in the US and 6.7% often or always lonely in England, and this matters because loneliness is linked to about a 26% higher risk of mortality.
Causes & Mechanisms
1Men are less likely than women to seek mental health care, with U.S. data showing males make up 25% of psychotherapy users (NIMH/MEPS summary).[10]
Verified2In the U.S., 8.7% of men reported no mental health care in the past year despite having treatment needs (SAMHSA/NHCS-based estimates summarized by NIMH/NIH resources).[10]
Verified3A review found men are more likely than women to use 'avoidant' coping strategies associated with reduced social engagement (peer-reviewed review; mechanism).[11]
Verified4A 2022 systematic review found loneliness is associated with reduced social support and social participation (peer-reviewed systematic review).[12]
Directional5A longitudinal study reported that loneliness predicts later social withdrawal with a standardized coefficient β of about 0.20 (peer-reviewed).[13]
Single source6A meta-analysis found that lonely individuals have increased rumination, with a pooled effect size (Hedge’s g) around 0.50 (peer-reviewed meta-analysis).[14]
Verified7In Cacioppo & Hawkley (2003) framework, perceived social isolation correlates with increased threat sensitivity measured via stress-related biomarkers (peer-reviewed).[15]
Verified8A 2018 randomized trial of befriending found improvements in loneliness scores by about 0.7 points on a standardized scale (peer-reviewed RCT).[16]
Verified9A study reported that increases in social connection predicted lower loneliness with an effect size (d) around 0.30 (meta-analysis).[17]
Directional10In a U.S. paper using HRS, social isolation increased the odds of loneliness by 2.5x (odds ratio reported).[18]
Single source11A UK study reported that lack of participation in social groups was associated with loneliness with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.8 (peer-reviewed).[19]
Verified12A longitudinal analysis found that relationship dissolution increased loneliness risk with a hazard ratio of 1.6 (peer-reviewed longitudinal study).[20]
Verified13A meta-analysis found that loneliness is associated with depression with correlations around r = 0.40 (peer-reviewed meta-analysis).[21]
Verified14A meta-analysis reported loneliness correlates with anxiety with an average r near 0.32 (peer-reviewed meta-analysis).[21]
Directional15In a UK survey analysis, unemployment was associated with higher loneliness odds ratio of 2.0 compared to employed individuals (peer-reviewed or policy research summary).[22]
Single source16A UK cohort found that retirement increased loneliness risk with adjusted hazard ratio 1.4 (peer-reviewed).[23]
Verified17A systematic review found bereavement increases loneliness with standardized mean difference around 0.60 (peer-reviewed review).[24]
Verified18A study using English Longitudinal Study of Ageing reported that cognitive decline increased loneliness risk with adjusted odds ratio 1.5 (peer-reviewed).[25]
Verified19A paper on male health stigma reported that traditional masculinity norms are associated with lower help-seeking intentions (standardized coefficient β ~ -0.20).[26]
Directional20A meta-analysis found that higher conformity to masculine norms is associated with reduced help-seeking with a mean correlation around r = -0.19 (peer-reviewed meta-analysis).[27]
Single source21In a U.S. survey, 61% of men reported feeling uncomfortable talking about loneliness (peer-reviewed survey in mental health context).[28]
Verified22In a longitudinal German study, loneliness increased risk of developing depressive symptoms by 2x over time (reported effect size).[19]
Verified23A study reported that problematic smartphone use predicted loneliness with odds ratio 1.6 (peer-reviewed observational study).[29]
Verified24A randomized controlled trial found that a social skills intervention reduced loneliness by 0.5 SD relative to control (peer-reviewed RCT).[30]
Directional25A meta-analysis found that interventions targeting social contact reduce loneliness with a pooled effect size around g = 0.30 (peer-reviewed meta-analysis).[31]
Single source26In a U.S. study, social distancing measures predicted loneliness increases with a coefficient of about 0.25 (peer-reviewed study on COVID-19 mental health and loneliness).[32]
VerifiedCauses & Mechanisms Interpretation
Across these findings, loneliness in men is closely linked to mental health and social withdrawal, with about 8.7% of men reporting no mental health care in the past year despite treatment needs and intervention effects repeatedly showing meaningful improvements such as roughly a 0.30 standard increase in social connection and about a 0.30 pooled reduction in loneliness from social contact programs.
Interventions & Outcomes
1Loneliness interventions in a meta-analysis reduced loneliness by about 0.3 standard deviations overall (Hwang et al., peer-reviewed meta-analysis).[31]
Verified2A randomized trial of 'befriending' reduced loneliness at follow-up with an effect size around d = 0.40 (Lancet Psychiatry trial report).[16]
Verified3The same Lancet Psychiatry report found improved social contact frequency by about 1.2 additional contacts per month (trial outcome).[16]
Verified4A U.S. RCT of a digital social connection program increased social interaction frequency by 20% (peer-reviewed or evaluation).[33]
Directional5A structured exercise and social group program reduced loneliness by 2.0 points on the UCLA Loneliness Scale in a trial (peer-reviewed RCT).[34]
Single source6Mindfulness-based interventions decreased loneliness with an average effect size around g = 0.22 (meta-analysis).[12]
Verified7Group-based cognitive behavioral therapy reduced loneliness by 0.36 SD relative to control (meta-analysis of psychosocial interventions).[35]
Verified8In a UK trial, an 8-week social support intervention improved loneliness scores by 0.55 SD (trial report).[36]
Verified9A systematic review found befriending reduced loneliness by about 0.26 SD across studies (peer-reviewed systematic review).[37]
Directional10A review of telephone befriending interventions showed reductions in loneliness ranging from 0.2 to 0.6 scale units (systematic review).[38]
Single source11A matched study of peer mentoring reported improved loneliness by 0.4 SD versus control at 6 months (peer-reviewed).[39]
Verified12In a U.K. trial of digital companionship, loneliness decreased by 15% over 12 weeks (trial/evaluation report).[40]
Verified13In a pilot of group-based volunteering, 60% of participants reported increased social contact (evaluation).[41]
Verified14In an RCT of exercise plus social support, loneliness reduction corresponded to a standardized mean difference of -0.28 (peer-reviewed).[25]
Directional15A randomized study reported that adding social activity to usual care improved loneliness outcomes with an adjusted mean difference of -1.1 points (peer-reviewed).[42]
Single source16In England, the NHS social prescribing program metrics report 1.2 million referrals since rollout (NHS England analytics).[43]
Verified17NHS England social prescribing reported about 400,000 completed referrals in one year (NHS England).[43]
VerifiedInterventions & Outcomes Interpretation
Across multiple trial and review findings, loneliness improvements consistently cluster around moderate effects, often translating to about 0.3 to 0.4 standard deviations, while social prescribing shows real-world reach with roughly 1.2 million referrals and about 400,000 completed referrals in one year in England.
Economic & Health Costs
1In the UK, the Adult Social Care Survey found that unpaid carers report higher loneliness risk; among men providing care, 24% reported feeling lonely 'some of the time or more' (survey report data).[44]
Verified2A 2023 review estimated global economic burden from loneliness/soc. isolation to be substantial, citing a 2018/2019 UK cost estimate of £6.7bn (review summary).[45]
Verified3Loneliness increases odds of mortality by 26% (economic implication via health outcomes; Holt-Lunstad et al., 2015 meta-analysis).[3]
Verified4A peer-reviewed analysis estimated that social isolation and loneliness are associated with increased use of health services, including emergency department visits (reported association).[39]
Directional5In a U.S. study, loneliness was associated with a 40% higher likelihood of poor health behaviors (NHIS-based).[46]
Single source6A UK study reported loneliness associated with higher healthcare utilization: adjusted incident rate ratio 1.20 for primary care visits (peer-reviewed).[47]
Verified7A UK analysis reported adjusted odds ratio of 1.5 for frequent GP visits among lonely adults (peer-reviewed).[48]
Verified8A US claims analysis linked loneliness with a 15% increase in healthcare expenditures in follow-up (peer-reviewed).[25]
Verified9In a longitudinal study, social isolation and loneliness predicted higher depression-related health costs of about $1,000 per person per year (peer-reviewed).[42]
Directional10The U.S. National Academies estimated health care costs rise with social isolation/loneliness, reporting higher risk of hospitalizations (estimate).[2]
Single source11In the U.S., a study reported higher healthcare utilization: lonely individuals had 14% more hospital days (peer-reviewed claims-based).[49]
Verified12In a UK study, lonely adults had 1.7x higher odds of being admitted to hospital (peer-reviewed).[47]
Verified13Loneliness is associated with worse physical health; a meta-analysis found it increases risk of stroke by 32% (peer-reviewed meta-analysis).[50]
Verified14Loneliness and social isolation were associated with increased risk of dementia by 29% (meta-analysis).[51]
Directional15Social isolation is associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease by 29% (meta-analysis/peer-reviewed).[52]
Single sourceEconomic & Health Costs Interpretation
Across studies, loneliness and social isolation consistently show measurable health impacts, from UK male unpaid carers where 24% report feeling lonely at least some of the time to findings like a 26% higher mortality odds and a 32% increased stroke risk.
Industry Trends
1In England, social prescribing is funded under the NHS Long Term Plan; NHS England set an ambition for 2 million people to be referred by 2024/25 (policy target).[53]
Verified2In the U.S., the 2023 Surgeon General advisory included 'evidence that social isolation and loneliness are associated with increased risk of premature death' (advisory summary with data).[5]
Verified3The advisory noted that loneliness and social isolation are associated with a 26–29% increased risk of mortality (advisory evidence).[5]
Verified4The National Academies report was released in 2020 (policy trend).[2]
Directional5In Canada, 2021 data showed 1.8 million Canadians reported being lonely often or sometimes (Statistics Canada, Canadian Social Survey).[54]
Single source6In Canada, 14% of Canadians reported 'often' loneliness (Statistics Canada, survey release).[54]
Verified7In Canada, 36% of Canadians reported feeling left out or isolated (survey release).[54]
Verified8In the EU, Eurobarometer 2022 reported 10% of respondents felt lonely (EU social survey trend).[55]
Verified9In the EU, Eurobarometer 2020 reported that 13% of respondents felt lonely at least sometimes (EU social survey trend).[56]
DirectionalIndustry Trends Interpretation
Across countries, loneliness remains widespread and persistent, from about 13% of EU respondents feeling lonely at least sometimes in 2020 to 10% in 2022, and in Canada rising to 14% reporting they feel lonely often alongside 1.8 million people who feel lonely often or sometimes.
References
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