Study: One in five young Germans still feels lonely years after Covid

Young adults in Germany continue to experience loneliness at particularly high rates several years after the Covid pandemic, with just over one in five people aged 21 to 30 saying they feel very lonely, according to a scientific study.

Published by the Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB) on Monday to mark Action Week Against Loneliness, the study found that among those aged 31 to 54, the figure was 14%. 

The data comes from the family demographics study "Freda," conducted in the winter of 2024-25, the BiB said.

"The sense of loneliness has barely receded since the Covid pandemic," said Sabine Diabaté, a researcher at the BiB. "This confirms that loneliness among young adults is not a short-term phenomenon during and after the pandemic, but appears to be becoming a persistent psychosocial burden, particularly for Generation Z."

Generation Z refers to those currently aged roughly 15 to just over 30, people born between 1995 and 2010.

BiB: Loneliness remains a social challenge

Experts cited a range of factors behind the higher rates among younger adults. 

The phase of young adulthood is generally considered a particularly vulnerable period of life. "Many young people are in a phase of orientation and transition, which can increase susceptibility to loneliness," said BiB researcher Pauline Kleinschlömer.

"Overall, the persistently high loneliness figures make clear that loneliness remains a socio-political challenge requiring targeted attention and sustainable measures," the researchers concluded.

The BiB said it was joining the "Alliance Against Loneliness," an initiative of the Federal Education Ministry, aimed at raising public awareness of loneliness and creating evidence-based foundations for policy measures.