How loneliness has evolved over the past decade
The proportion of older adults living alone in Spain has grown steadily since 2015. While they accounted for 24% of single-person households then, by 2026 the figure has reached 29%. This increase reflects both demographic ageing and changes in family structures, with children living further away and smaller families.
The COVID-19 pandemic was a turning point. Although restrictions were lifted, many older adults never recovered their previous social networks. Longitudinal studies from the CIS show that feelings of loneliness among those over 75 increased by 18% between 2019 and 2023, and have barely declined since.
The rural-urban divide
Loneliness among older adults has a strong territorial dimension. In municipalities with fewer than 2,000 inhabitants, where ageing is more pronounced, the lack of local services and transport worsens isolation. However, large cities are not immune: urban loneliness, characterised by the paradox of being surrounded by people without meaningful relationships, particularly affects older adults in neighbourhoods with high resident turnover.
Autonomous communities such as Castilla y León, Asturias, and Galicia, home to the country's most aged populations, record the highest rates of unwanted loneliness among older adults, according to INE and CIS data.
Impact on physical and mental health
The data confirm that loneliness is not merely an emotional problem. It is associated with a higher risk of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, accelerated cognitive decline, and depression. In Spain, loneliness is estimated to contribute to over 14,000 emergency department visits per year due to falls among older adults living alone without a support network.
Furthermore, loneliness affects adherence to medical treatment. Older adults living alone are 30% more likely to not follow their medication regimens correctly, leading to avoidable health complications and higher healthcare costs.
Institutional and technological responses
In recent years, loneliness has entered the political agenda. The Spanish Government has included the fight against unwanted loneliness in the National Strategy for Older Adults, and several autonomous communities have launched phone companionship and volunteering programmes.
Technology is opening new possibilities. AI-powered phone companionship services like Hermet enable personalised daily conversations for older adults, complementing the work of social services and sector professionals.