Sun, sea, olive groves and architectural beauty are not always the cure for loneliness. A new study from Emory University, published by The New York Post , reveals a paradox: the most lonely people live not in rainy metropolises, but in tourist paradises - Greece and Cyprus.
Researchers surveyed 64,000 people from 29 countries and created a ranking of the loneliest nations. The top 10 also included Slovakia, Italy, the United States, Israel, the Czech Republic, Romania, Bulgaria, and Latvia. In particular, in the United States, loneliness rates among middle-aged people were even higher than among retirees.
“There’s a common misconception that loneliness is a problem of old age. But in fact, in the US, those over 40 feel lonelier than those over 70,” says Professor Robin Richardson.
The reasons are familiar: lack of stable employment, mental health problems, physical ailments and social isolation. But researchers warn that this is a global trend that affects all age groups.
Professor Estaban Calvo adds:
“Middle-aged people are often caught between responsibilities — work, caring for elderly parents, raising children — and suffer from a chronic lack of support.”.
Added to this is a new social phenomenon — “missed gain syndrome for girls .” This concept describes the feelings of women who worry about not having close female company, as in the TV series “Sex and the City .” On social media, this fear is gaining popularity among women 30+, who admit to feeling isolated even in the digital age.
27-year-old Eliza Becker shares:
“I'm used to doing a lot of things alone. But there are times when I really miss that 'girl' group that understands you with every word.”.
Of course, technology offers new forms of communication, but they are not always a substitute for real intimacy. The conclusion of the study is clear: loneliness is not age or geography. It is a global epidemic that requires attention, care, and a rethinking of modern social connections.
