The 2024 Solitudes Study: long-term isolation
In France, social isolation is on the rise. This is one of the findings of the latest edition of the Fondation de France’s annual study on loneliness in France, presented on 22 January, on the eve of World Loneliness Day. Entitled “When loneliness strikes: weak social connections withstanding the test of time” and produced in partnership with CERLIS, Audencia and Crédoc, this study explores how these phenomena have evolved over time and throughout people’s lives.
“Every year for the past 14 years, the Fondation de France has tackled the subject of loneliness and social isolation head-on through its dedicated study. These are two issues we have been working on since our inception,” said Alexandre Giraud, Director of Philanthropic Action at the Fondation de France, in his opening remarks, whilst emphasising that “this event is also an opportunity to welcome representatives from the voluntary sector working on this issue and to discuss ways in which we can strengthen social bonds”. This view was shared by Stéphanie Andrieux, Head of the Social Fabric Programme at the Fondation de France: “We are taking action to preserve and strengthen our ability to move forward together, without anyone feeling as if they have been left by the wayside”. This presentation was followed by a round-table discussion featuring Sarah Gogel, General Delegate of the MADERA association; Patricia Juthiaud, administrator of the Cœur de Bastide third space in Gironde; Nathalie Roudaut, General Delegate of the Nightline association; and Yann Lasnier, General Delegate of the Petits Frères des Pauvres association.
Isolation and loneliness: the most vulnerable on the front line
“In 2025, 12% of people aged 15 and over are socially isolated, meaning they have little or no physical contact with others. This figure is up by 1 percentage point compared with 2023,” explains Hadrien Riffaut, co-author of the study and a researcher at CERLIS. Social isolation particularly affects those on the lowest incomes: 17% are isolated, compared with just 7% of high-income earners.
Furthermore, one in four French people say they regularly feel lonely, a feeling that affects the unemployed (44%) more than those in work (23%). This feeling runs deep: more than eight out of ten people who say they feel lonely report suffering because of their situation. Feelings of abandonment, exclusion or worthlessness remain high: 33% of respondents say they experience it often or occasionally. As Yann Lasnier, General Delegate of Les Petits Frères des Pauvres, points out, “many people have come to regard being marginalised and ignored in our society as the norm, to the point where they no longer expect to receive recognition or attention from others”.
Time and loneliness
The study highlights two dimensions of time that influence feelings of loneliness: cyclical time, which is objective and measurable, and social time, defined by collective norms and values. During the day, loneliness affects jobseekers and older people more, whereas at night it affects young people and the homeless more acutely, when social interaction decreases and support services close their doors. At weekends, it is single parents who are most vulnerable, with more than one in two experiencing an increased sense of loneliness. Public holidays and holiday periods also exacerbate this feeling, particularly for those on the lowest incomes. In 2023, 40% of French people did not go on holiday.
Feelings of loneliness also vary by age group. Young people tend to view their isolation as temporary, although 25% of young people in work experience it. Isolation is particularly prevalent among those aged 40–59, who are often at a stage in life marked by major changes (children leaving home, changing jobs), or even upheavals (unemployment, divorce) that undermine their emotional stability. Finally, older people experience a gradual loss of social connections, exacerbated by bereavements or family members moving away. However, only 3% of isolated people reach out to charities, held back by feelings of shame or a lack of awareness of the support available.
Solutions to the problem
Considering the growing prevalence of loneliness, the study proposes four areas for action, which are being taken up by charities supported by the Fondation de France.
Raising awareness of loneliness and its everyday manifestations is a priority, particularly through awareness campaigns designed to change perceptions and break the taboo surrounding this phenomenon. The Nightline charity, for example, which works to support the mental health of young people and students across France, has set up a helpline staffed by other young people to offer support at times when loneliness is particularly acute and health services are in short supply. “For young people, there is a disconnect between the pressure to be happy in their twenties and the profound sense of loneliness they experience in their daily lives. Supporting these young people through their peers helps to change perceptions and break the silence surrounding this phenomenon,” says Nathalie Roudaut, the association’s general delegate. In 2024, Nightline received 18,000 calls, 20% of which mentioned loneliness and 16% suicidal thoughts.
Encouraging people who are lonely or isolated to seek support is indeed essential. The charity Petits Frères des Pauvres has also launched a helpline, this time specifically for older people: ‘Solitude Ecoute’ is run by volunteers between 3pm and 8pm, a time slot identified as critical for this group. Another way to break the cycle of isolation is the “Chasseur de solitude” initiative, also run by the charity, which provides a guide to best practices for reaching out to an isolated elderly person living nearby.
Addressing loneliness and isolation throughout the year helps to combat these feelings, which can be particularly acute at certain times, especially for the most isolated individuals. An approach developed by the MADERA association which, through its “Point-virgule” initiative, supported by the Fondation de France, organises group activities throughout the year such as yoga, boxing or creative workshops for refugees, in addition to providing administrative, legal and professional support.
Promoting a cross-sector approach is another key area of focus. The “Cœur de Bastide” third space, for example, located in a rural area near Bordeaux, welcomes elderly people, migrants and vulnerable young people, and offers them a range of services in partnership with local authorities, such as French language lessons, academic support and consultations with public writers.