Rising loneliness and social isolation among young adults in Europe

Recent social analyses indicate a rising trend of isolation and psychological discomfort among young adults and students. Data from European institutions, including the Joint Research Centre and Eurofound, reveal that over 57% of Europeans aged 18 to 35 experience moderate to strong feelings of loneliness. In Poland, CBOS reports that nearly 13% of young people aged 18–34 feel lonely “very often”.

This phenomenon is linked to broader socio-economic shifts, such as the commercialization of social spaces and the difficulty of building deep connections in adulthood. Additionally, first-year university students face significant psychological pressure due to highly competitive academic environments and the perceived inadequacy caused by comparing their lives to the idealized versions of peers presented on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok.