Young and Foreign-Born Swedes Face Higher Loneliness
Sweden launches a national strategy to combat loneliness targeting vulnerable groups like youth and immigrants. About 6% of Swedes experience involuntary loneliness, prompting coordinated action between public and private sectors.
Young people, seniors, and foreign-born residents face the highest rates of involuntary loneliness in Sweden. A new national strategy aims to address this growing concern.
The Public Health Agency of Sweden recently presented a plan to reduce involuntary loneliness between 2025 and 2029. The strategy focuses on collaboration between public, private, and civil society organizations.
Hillevi Busch, an investigator at the agency, explained the approach in a statement. "Loneliness is not just an individual problem," she said.
About six percent of Sweden's population experiences involuntary loneliness. Certain groups show higher vulnerability, including immigrants, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and both young and elderly citizens.
Busch noted that loneliness levels haven't necessarily increased. Society has simply become more aware of the issue, she explained.
The government's approach recognizes that loneliness affects different demographics differently. Foreign-born residents often face language barriers and cultural isolation. Young people may struggle with social connections in an increasingly digital world.
Sweden's coordinated response marks a shift from treating loneliness as purely personal to addressing it as a societal challenge. The strategy acknowledges that meaningful social connections require support systems beyond individual effort.
This focus on collaborative solutions reflects Sweden's tradition of social welfare innovation. The country is testing whether institutional support can effectively combat what many consider a personal emotional state.