The fight against isolation and ideas fostering solidarity remain ever more topical. That is the conclusion by several recent publications on the subject.
Isolation, solitude, what do they mean ?
Isolation, solitude, loneliness, the words are often considered to be interchangeable, whereas in fact they sometimes equate to different realities. Indeed, solitude has a double meaning. It can be sought after or suffered, and its consequences are very different. As is evident from the definition of the word in Wikipedia, the on-line encyclopaedia:
“Solitude is very different according to whether it is chosen or suffered. An individual may intentionally and temporarily choose solitude, in order to get away from inter-personal problems, or to have time to develop a creative, intellectual or spiritual activity. Solitude in such case is appreciated and desired. On the other hand, a situation where chronic and intense solitude is suffered is very painful. Many studies have shown that social isolation is associated with greater risks of physical and mental health problems (depression, suicide) and correlates with increased mortality and a greater risk of long-term sickness.”
Consequently, the fact of being alone can have positive or negative connotations according to the person and the situation. The feeling of being alone and cut-off from others can also be felt in a crowd, or by people who have family and work relationships.
In sociological or statistical surveys seeking more objective measures, the focus is more often on isolation “a measurable phenomenon, relating to a specific situation”. The measurements cover the number of contacts with others through different interaction circles: family, neighbourhood, work, associations, religion, political parties etc.
Recent studies have revealed a strong feeling of solitude
The yearly survey by Credoc for Fondation de France estimates that 12% of the population over 18 years of age are in a situation of relational isolation. This indicator measures people having spoken to four others or less (outside the home) in a week. That indicator stood at 9% in 2010. It of course reached a peak of 24% during the confinement periods associated with the Covid 19 sanitary crisis. The feeling of solitude is much greater. The survey observed that a quarter (24%) of the population questioned regularly feels lonely. The feeling is all the greater in the younger generations: 27 % for the under 25s and 35 % for 25-39-year-olds.
INSEE (National Institute for statistics and economic studies) in 2024 published a “Social portrait” of France based on data collected in 2022. In that study, Insee estimated that 33 % of people declared having felt alone sometimes, most of the time or all the time. The figure was 27% in 2018. Moreover, the feeling of solitude is not directly linked to age: 30 % of 16-24-year-olds declared having felt alone. Standard of living on the other hand is a clear marker. According to Insee, “The higher the standard of living, the lower the feeling of solitude: 42 % of those belonging to the 20 % most modest households 2022, compared with 24 % for those belonging to the 20 % wealthiest households.“
In its recent publication on the subject of isolation for the over 60-year-olds, the “Petits Frères des Pauvres” association provides many figures and analysis. It evaluates at 2.5 million the number of old-age pensioners who regularly feel alone. In their everyday life, 30% of the aged have nobody to speak to about personal or intimate matters. 36% have nobody with whom they can go for a walk. In 2017, the figure was 27%. The report also deplores the lack of political will in relation to an Old Age law. They qualify the “Society for aging well” law adopted in 2024 as unambitious. An Old Age law, constantly being promised and then put off, is still to come. Tomorrow is still unprepared for, at the level of society. That statement is in line with the call by Alliance VITA to make accompaniment of the aged a real priority.
A society creating more isolation ?
In an interview for Le Figaro during the world day for solitude last January, Vincent Cocquebert, a journalist and author of “Uniques au monde” (unique in the world) recalled:
“The social structure of individuals has tended to decline in recent years. Thus, between 1990 and 2020, the percentage of friends of individuals has been halved overall. It is true for both the United States and for France… This kind of isolation is a domestic, social, psychological and spatial phenomenon. Nowadays, it is possible to stay at home for almost all of our activities, be it leisure (whose time consumption has exploded since the 70s), work, and now relationships through the sham of the social networks.”
A recent report by the Fondation Jean Jaurès proposed its analysis on this rise in isolation. Under the heading “The capitalism of solitude assaulting human links”, he focuses on the links between isolation and screens: “All the activities which could previously be conducted in the community or involved going outside, in contact with the world have either stagnated or diminished in duration. At the same time, most of the time saved has been entirely converted into the use of screens.” According to the author of the report, “screens cause solitude.” The report refers to a Dutch study
“Demonstrating that the use of social networks leads to an intensification of the feeling of solitude: whether through passive use (scrolling, silent observation, without publication or interaction) or active use (putting content on-line or reacting to that of others), both practices result in a gradual increase in the feeling of solitude. The phenomenon is all the more worrying in that it operates in a loop: the more individuals feel alone, the more they resort to networks, and the more that again feeds their feeling of solitude.”
Solidarity, remains topical
Isolation and the feeling of solitude have a major impact on mental health. A survey by Ifop for the Astrée association has shown that “nearly half of isolated people have taken antidepressants (46%) or tranquillisers (46%), compared with respectively 27% and 28% for the population overall. Even more alarming, 65% of chronically lonely people have considered ending their life, i.e. more than double the national average (32%)”.
This isolation phenomenon is worldwide. The WHO issued a memorandum on the subject in 2025:
“All over the planet, there is an invisible threat increasing the risk of contracting disease, reducing life expectancy and eroding the fabric of our societies. The disintegration of social links – when a person has insufficient social contacts, does not feel supported in his/her relations, or when his/her relations are negative or stressful – represents an increasing, and yet often neglected danger for health and well-being.”
The causes of this “Pandemic of isolation” are both numerous and complex. At a personal level, however, simple ideas which are easy to implement exist already, without having to wait for the ever-delayed political responses. Alliance VITA has for several years provided a guide of 10 ideas for solidarity with those confronting old age, dependence or the end of life, within easy reach of us all.
The fight against isolation must be made a priority for the public authorities. The forging of social links is a priority in the fight against isolation. In direct opposition to this objective, euthanasia and assisted suicide are acts breaking up the family, friends and social circles. Their legalisation would be a further boost to the isolation of the most vulnerable.
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