SSB: More and more Norwegians are feeling lonely during the corona pandemic

Depression - lonelyPhoto: Terje Pedersen / NTB

According to Statistics Norway (SSB), the corona pandemic seems to have led to more loneliness due to, among other things, increasing fear of infection and decreased contact with others.

The figures for 2020, based on the Quality of Life Survey conducted from March 9 to 30 last year, just before and during the first shutdown of Norwegian society, show that 11% of the population between 18 and 79 was feeling lonely, SSB writes.

In 2012, the corresponding figure was 7% of the Norwegian population. However, according to the SSB, there is some uncertainty associated with this comparison over time.

The increase from 2012 to 2020 is particularly pronounced among young people under 35 and among single people. Those who responded to the survey before the restrictions were implemented on March 12, 2020, were more lonely than the average also in 2012.

Statistics Norway believes that the figures indicate that it is not the social shutdown that is the reason for the increase; it thinks that media coverage of the infection situation, both in Norway and the rest of the world, may have contributed to increasing fear of infection and decreased contact. More worry and increased fear have also led to a stronger need for support from others.

The SSB, therefore, believes that there is reason to believe that loneliness is even more widespread in 2021 than it was in 2020.

Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews

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