All the Lonely People

1. All the Lonely People Social isolation in Europe Orsolya Lelkes European Centre, Vienna

2. Social contacts are vital for health • Causal effect on physical health: • personal contacts influence brain functioning, incl. the lymbic system, and even the operation of genes • the functioning of genes: mostly depends on the (social) environment, not inherited (!) • good relationships – safeguards against the negative consequences of stress • Learning: (at school, at workplace) more successful if related to personal contacts • Well-being. The second best predictor of the feelings of a day is whether a person did or did not have contacts with friends or relatives (Gallup World Poll)

3. Why bother about social isolation? • Social isolation is a strong indicator of • a basic human need is not met (individual level), • lack of social cohesion (social level). • It is a state where noone would want to be in - not a matter of personal preferences. • Extreme loneliness is often a result of mental health problems or trauma (both are more frequent than many think).

4. Social isolation in Europe Source: European Social Survey 2010

5. Social isolation in Europe: 8-12%

6. Lack of social meetings varies more across countries

7. Happiness is not impossible, but less likely...Distribution of self-reported life satisfaction 36% of lonely have scores 0-4 (others: 16%)

8. Misfortunes add up: the poor are more isolatedRatio of those with no friends compared to the third income quintile goup • Other „risk groups“: • Elderly • Pensioners • Unemployed • Men (personal talk, but not in terms of meeting!)

9. Look at all the lonely people...