Calay News
Unwanted loneliness has a negative impact on the physical and mental health, quality of life, and economy of a society. In Spain, unwanted loneliness is estimated to cost more than €14 billion annually, equivalent to 1.17% of GDP in 2021. The cost includes healthcare expenses, such as medical consultations and medication, and loss of productivity due to unwanted loneliness, as well as decreased quality of life and premature deaths associated with involuntary isolation.
A study conducted by the State Observatory of Unwanted Loneliness (SoledadES) of the ONCE Foundation indicates that unwanted loneliness affects 13.4% of the population in Spain and 22% of young people. The report measures the healthcare and productivity costs associated with unwanted loneliness and shows that the frequent use of healthcare services amounts to more than 5,600 million euros per year and the consumption of medicines to 495 million euros.
In terms of intangible costs, the research shows that the total loss that unwanted loneliness produces in people’s quality of life represents almost 3% of the total healthy life years of the Spanish population over 15 years of age. In addition, 848 premature deaths associated with unwanted loneliness in 2019 have been estimated, deaths that would generate a loss of 6,707 potential years of productive life, more than 191 million euros in lost productivity.
Unwanted loneliness affects young people aged 16–34 years and people over 75 years to a greater extent. The results of the study suggest the importance of adopting preventive policies to address unwanted loneliness in society.
