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A new Caritas study paints a troubling picture of social isolation in Austria: around 700,000 people report feeling very frequently lonely, with older adults and those with low incomes particularly affected.
Loneliness Persists After the Pandemic
Although the COVID‑19 pandemic has ended, its social consequences linger. According to the study, one in four people in Austria wishes for more social interaction. At a press conference in Vienna, Caritas Vienna Director Klaus Schwertner described loneliness as “the silent pandemic that remains” and renewed his call for a national action plan to address it.
The findings were presented ahead of “Blue Monday,” the third Monday in January, often associated with low mood and isolation. First conducted in 2023, the survey shows that loneliness has stabilized at a high level. Expectations that the situation would improve after the pandemic have not been met. Schwertner noted that the number of people who reduced social contacts due to rising living costs nearly doubled between 2023 and 2025. Even simple outings, such as visiting a café, have become unaffordable for many.
A Persistent Social Taboo
The survey questioned 1,006 people across Austria. Journalist Barbara Stöckl emphasized that loneliness remains a taboo topic for 61 percent of respondents. She stressed that it is not merely a personal issue but a societal and political one.
Older adults and low‑income households are disproportionately affected. Thirty‑one percent of respondents aged 65 and older reported frequent loneliness, compared to 20 percent across all age groups. Among people with low household incomes, the figure rises to 43 percent. “Age and income are decisive factors—the older and poorer someone is, the lonelier they tend to be,” Schwertner said.
More than four in ten respondents feel lonely at least occasionally. Over 20 percent feel lonelier than they did five years ago, and many fear becoming even more isolated. The share of people with stable social contacts has declined significantly since 2023. Alarmingly, one in ten respondents has no one they could rely on in an emergency.
Health Risks Comparable to Smoking
Loneliness has serious consequences for mental and physical health, warned Thomas Wochele‑Thoma, psychiatrist and medical director at Caritas. He described loneliness as an independent risk factor for numerous chronic diseases, including dementia, vascular conditions, and certain cancers. Wochele‑Thoma called loneliness “a form of the new smoking” and urged policymakers to take coordinated action alongside the medical community.
Calls for a National Action Plan
Caritas reiterated its demand for a nationwide strategy to combat loneliness. “Fighting poverty also means fighting loneliness,” Schwertner said. He called for the appointment of a government commissioner dedicated to the issue and advocated for a minimum age for social media use, following the example of Australia.
Conversations as a Lifeline
Talking to someone can make a significant difference. According to Flora Gall, head of the “Plaudernetz” (Chat Network), two‑thirds of respondents agreed that a good phone conversation helps reduce feelings of loneliness. The hotline, launched during the first COVID lockdown in April 2020, is available daily from 10:00 to 22:00 at 05 1776 100. Volunteers offer anonymous conversations, and around two‑thirds of callers are connected immediately. The service is especially valuable for people who can no longer leave their homes.
Growing Demand for the Plaudernetz
To date, the Plaudernetz has supported 9,300 different callers, with 4,100 volunteers engaged. The average call lasts 28.5 minutes, and between 1,000 and 1,800 calls are handled each month. In December 2025, the number of conversations increased by 41 percent compared to the previous year. In total, callers spent 1,865,000 minutes on the line in 2025—the highest volume since the service began. The model has now been expanded to Germany.
Schwertner emphasized that accepting help requires courage, but volunteers are eager to listen. Participation is simple: anyone with a smartphone can join via the app and set their availability flexibly. “Volunteering is also an important way to prevent loneliness,” he added.
- Hector Pascua with reports from vienna.at/picture:
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