German survey reveals pandemic's lasting impact on loneliness
For the first time in history, the German government has commissioned the "Loneliness Barometer," a survey analyzing which Germans feel particularly lonely and how this has changed after the coronavirus pandemic. The results are not encouraging.
1:06 PM EDT, May 31, 2024
The German government wants to combat its citizens' loneliness. To this end, it commissioned the first-ever "Loneliness Barometer"—a survey showing who feels particularly lonely and how this has changed during the coronavirus pandemic.
Loneliness Barometer in Germany: Latest research
"It shows that women, and in the age groups, seniors, youth, and young adults, particularly experience loneliness in Germany. Among them, the sense of isolation has not diminished after the end of the coronavirus pandemic and the lifting of restrictions," writes "Deutsche Welle."
Why is this issue so important? According to "Stuttgarter Zeitung," the entire social environment results from one policy or another.
Whether urban development creates spaces for communication is a political decision. Whether a youth center is to be closed is decided by the city council. Whether pensions are sufficient to allow for social participation is also highly political. Conversely, loneliness as a social phenomenon has political consequences. Lonely people turn away, do not trust institutions, or in the worst case, become radicalized, notes the newspaper from Stuttgart.
The loneliness of young people is particularly depressing
On the other hand, "Frankfurter Rundschau" notes that "the economy recovered from the pandemic faster than people, especially young people."
"It is alarming that while the values among the elderly are gradually returning to pre-pandemic levels, the loneliness rate among people aged 18 to 29 remains significantly higher," notes the newspaper from Frankfurt.
In its view, it is essential "not to forget teenagers and young adults again, as was often the case during the pandemic."
German media also emphasize that while a state policy aimed at minimizing the loneliness of its citizens may seem unusual and even laughable, the problem exists here and now.
"Due to changing factors, loneliness is becoming an increasing problem. It affects both the soul and the body, causing pain. Therefore, the government is by no means wrong in its programmatic approach to this issue. Ultimately, however, only people themselves can change something. True friends can usually be found only in real life, not through a smartphone application," writes "Weser-Kurier" from Bremen.
