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Global Trends and Disparities in Social Isolation
Thomas E Fuller-Rowell1, Samia Sultana1, Ichiro Kawachi2
1Department of Human Development and Family Science, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
JAMA Network Open
|September 15, 2025
Summary
Global social isolation increased significantly after the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly affecting lower-income groups initially. Subsequent increases broadened across socioeconomic strata, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Global Health
- Sociology
- Public Policy
Background:
- Social isolation poses significant risks to health and well-being.
- Global trends in social isolation and their socioeconomic disparities are not well understood.
- Understanding these trends is crucial for developing effective policy responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify global changes in social isolation from 2009 to 2024.
- To analyze trends across different within-country income groups.
- To evaluate cross-country and regional variations in isolation levels and trends.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study utilizing Gallup World Poll data (2009-2024).
- Inclusion of approximately 1000 adults (≥15 years) per country annually from over 150 countries.
- Assessment of social isolation based on availability of help from friends/relatives; income coded into quintiles.
Main Results:
- Global social isolation increased by 13.4% from 2009-2024, with the entire rise occurring post-2019.
- An initial surge in isolation (2019-2020) disproportionately impacted lower-income groups.
- From 2020-2024, isolation continued to rise, with steeper increases observed in higher-income groups, widening the income disparity.
Conclusions:
- Global social isolation significantly increased following the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The pandemic initially exacerbated isolation among lower-income populations, with subsequent increases affecting broader socioeconomic strata.
- Urgent need for targeted interventions for vulnerable groups and research into country-level policies to address rising isolation and inequities.
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