Myth: The Male Loneliness Epidemic

The data tells a different story

The male loneliness epidemic is not a thing. Well, it is, but it’s more of a viral trope perpetuated by women on TikTok than an actual epidemic. Some (not all) women are practically rejoicing that men are lonely, as if this somehow benefits them or society.

The other myth associated with the male loneliness epidemic is that men are the ones claiming to be victims of it.

A quick Google search or scroll through social media is all the proof you need to see that the vast majority of people who are discussing it are women.

To be clear, many lonely people exist, but this is not exclusive to men in any age bracket.

Here’s what the data shows:

General Patterns:

Younger Adults (18–29 years): This group reports the highest levels of loneliness. A Canadian study found that 19.1% of women and 6.2% of men in this age bracket felt lonely on five or more days in the past week. New York PostPubMed Central+1PubMed+1

Middle-Aged Adults (30–59 years): Loneliness decreases during these years but can spike again in midlife, particularly around the mid-40s. This pattern may be influenced by career pressures and family responsibilities. PubMed Central