Key takeaways

  • Loneliness affects people of all ages and backgrounds. Cases have been rising globally since the 1970s, prompting both U.S. and global health authorities to recognize it as a widespread public health concern.
  • Males may be less likely to report or discuss their emotional struggles due to persistent cultural stigmas around male mental health, which can make it harder to identify and address their experiences of isolation.
  • Building stronger social connections through joining community groups, engaging in meaningful activities, practicing vulnerability with trusted individuals, and seeking professional support can help reduce feelings of isolation and improve overall well-being.

The term “male loneliness epidemic” describes a potential increase in feelings of loneliness and social isolation experienced by people assigned male at birth or who identify as men.

Loneliness is a sad, negative feeling that occurs when the quality, quantity, or types of your relationships don’t meet your social expectations.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an epidemic occurs when the number of cases of a specific condition or disease rapidly increases beyond the typical baseline for a given population.

Over the past few years, the concept of a male loneliness epidemic has been widely discussed in the media, particularly in podcasts, blogs, and online forums — and it’s a very divisive topic.

In general, however, researchers agree that there isn’t a sex-specific loneliness epidemic. Loneliness can affect anyone, so it’s important to offer support and attention to anyone who might be lonely.

Keep reading to learn more about what researchers have to say about the male loneliness epidemic and how to manage feelings of loneliness.

Disclaimer language

The use of binary terms such as “male” and “female” or “men” and “women” in this article reflects the language of the sources we’ve used. Unless otherwise noted, it’s unclear whether the research we reference included participants with expansive gender identities.

In part, yes.

Male loneliness is real, but the concept of a “loneliness epidemic” doesn’t just apply to males. Since the 1970s, loneliness rates among the American population have steadily increased.

In May 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a public advisory stating that loneliness is an epidemic affecting people of all ages and populations in the United States.

A few months later, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognised loneliness as a “global public health priority” and established the WHO Commission on Social Connection to address and strive to resolve it.

Several studies have compared loneliness rates among males and females, with mixed results.

A 2021 study using data from The BBC Loneliness Experiment in 46,054 people concluded that males reported higher feelings of loneliness than females. In particular, adolescent and adult males were more likely to be lonely.

The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory also noted that loneliness and social isolation are bigger risk factors for suicide in men than for women. In 2022, nearly 4 in 5 deaths by suicide in the United States were from males.

While male loneliness is receiving a lot of media attention (which, in many respects, is positive), many studies have found that, in general, males and females report similar rates of loneliness.

For instance, a 2019 three-level meta-analysis of 399,798 people concluded that, across the average person’s life span, loneliness rates are similar between males and females.

A 2025 review found similar results. But the authors noted that men are less likely to report feelings of loneliness or speak with others about mental health issues, possibly due to societal stigmas and deeply entrenched gender roles.

Many social, environmental, financial, and health factors can contribute to feelings of loneliness, so identifying a specific cause of male loneliness is challenging.

Many people in online forums and across various media raise theories about the underlying cause.

For instance, a commonly purported narrative from some males is that loneliness is due to females being “too picky,” independent, or simply choosing not to be intimate or in a romantic relationship with them.

However, many people believe this theory is just a way to blame others for their circumstances, rather than to take ownership of their own behaviors.

Some researchers suggest that males may experience more social isolation, which differs from loneliness, but can be a big risk factor for loneliness. Social isolation assesses the structure of your physical and digital social connections to measure your separation from others.

Factors surrounding social dynamics and gender role expectations may also play a role in male loneliness. There’s still a stigma surrounding male mental health, so males are less likely than females to talk about their feelings and to seek help.

Researchers have identified other factors that can contribute to male loneliness, but it’s important to note that many of these apply to all populations, too. Some of these include:

  • having a small group of friends
  • having few relationships with males
  • living alone or in a neighbourhood where you feel like you “don’t belong”
  • being physically isolated, such as living in the country
  • not having a romantic partner or losing one, such as due to divorce or death
  • working temporary contracts or working remotely, such as from home
  • being unemployed or retiring from work

It’s important to recognize that the concept, term, or simple idea of a “male loneliness epidemic” has helped create more awareness around male mental health in general.

Providing a safe space for lonely males to share their thoughts, feelings, and concerns is crucial for helping them find connections and support, and for breaking down barriers and stigmas that can often isolate people.

Managing feelings of loneliness may seem difficult, but there are strategies that can help you connect more deeply with others and build long lasting, meaningful relationships.

Some strategies you may wish to consider include:

  • calling a close friend, family member, or relative
  • visiting one of your neighbours
  • joining a group class, such as pottery, language lessons, or a musical instrument
  • playing video games online with others, either friends or strangers
  • joining a fitness class or recreational sports team
  • getting outside and speaking with strangers
  • replacing time on social media with time outside

Many support options for managing loneliness are available, offering resources and opportunities to connect with others in your community. Some organizations are tailored to specific populations, such as adolescents, veterans, and people living with chronic conditions.

Some examples include:

If you’re living with a chronic health condition, resources like Healthline’s Bezzy communities can help you connect with others through an online space for community, peer and expert guidance, and support. As a Bezzy member, you can participate in forum discussions, weekly live chats, and have access to in-app one-to-one messages.

Medical Perspective

“In my experience, men may have an easier time speaking about loneliness by bringing it up in connection with real life events.

For example, reminiscing about the good times you and your friend had in the past and how much you miss hanging out together or venting about how hard it is to establish and maintain adult friendships (due to limited time, effort, energy, etc.).

Some people may find it easier to phrase things as a question, such as, ‘Do you ever think about how we don’t hang out as often as we used to?’ to seek common ground in this experience.”

— Jennifer Litner, PhD, LMFT, CST

Learn more about how to manage feelings of loneliness

Quotes represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

  • Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
  • Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

The male loneliness epidemic refers to a rapid increase in the number of males experiencing loneliness.

Whether there actually is a “male loneliness epidemic,” per se, is a divisive topic, as studies show mixed results on the ratio of loneliness experienced between males and females.

However, researchers and healthcare professionals largely agree that there is a general loneliness epidemic, which can affect people of all populations globally, so not just males.

If you experience frequent feelings of loneliness, consider reaching out to a friend, family member, or support group for resources and support. They can all help you build long lasting, deep connections.