After a seven-year break, the Public Opinion Research Center (CBOS) examined the issue of social bonds. According to the report, the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing digitalisation, as well as the growing popularity of social media did not favour direct interpersonal relationships.

According to CBOS research, Poles are willing to spend their free time with others, usually with their closest family and friends, and the percentage of people who prefer loneliness has not changed in seven years.

The study shows, however, that the share of people who experience loneliness 'very often' or 'always' has doubled, even despite the presence of other people nearby. Currently, 8% of adult Poles experience loneliness 'very often' or 'always', while in 2017 it was 4%.

The analysis shows that 'very frequent' or 'permanent' feelings of loneliness most often affect the youngest respondents, aged 18-34 (12-13%, depending on the category), and then the oldest respondents, aged 75 or more (10%). On the other hand, it is relatively rare among respondents aged 45-54 (1%) and 55-64 (4%).

Pupils and students feel the loneliest (17% feel lonely 'very often' or 'always').

The authors of the study report that the feeling of loneliness is more common among residents of large and the largest cities (17% and 12%, respectively, declare at least 'very frequent' experiences of loneliness). Taking into account education - people with primary or lower secondary education are slightly more affected (10%) than people with higher education (9%).

In terms of personal situation, the feeling of loneliness most often concerns singles (16% experience it 'very often' or 'always'), and least often - married respondents (4%).

The study shows that that 'very frequent' or 'permanent' feelings of loneliness most often affect people living in single-person households (18%), and virtually does not concern those living in households of at least four people (2%).

The report indicates that feeling lonely is to some extent related to the financial situation. On the one hand, it clearly more often affects people who perceive the financial conditions of their households negatively (21% of them experienced it at least 'very often') than those who describe their financial conditions as 'average' (9%) or 'good' (6%).

'On the other hand, taking income into account, people with the highest per capita income of at least PLN 6,000 (17%), are more likely to feel lonely', the study authors add.

Political views and the level of religiosity also play an important role. People with left-wing political views are relatively more affected (14% feel lonely at least very often), as are those who do not practice religion (15% - always or very often).

The mixed-mode study was conducted on a representative named sample of adult residents of Poland, drawn from the PESEL register. The study was conducted from 14 to 25 August 2024 on a sample of 939 people (including: 66.7% using the CAPI method, 20.3% - CATI and 13% - CAWI). (PAP)

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