[5] One study in Germany showed that having several friends is correlated with fewer worries about the economy and higher life satisfaction.
Chronic loneliness is linked to poorer sleep and increases the odds of cardiovascular disease as much as smoking 15 cigarettes per day would.
Poor city design has also led to the proliferation of car dependency, suburbia and urban sprawl, which make meeting with existing friends more time-consuming, expensive and difficult while also reducing the likelihood that one will talk to strangers.
[13] Some believe the rise of workism, the belief that work is the most important aspect of life and the source of identity and meaning, is a factor.
Workism, on top of creating of culture of competition, stress and burnout, can make people prioritize their careers over their personal relationships and hobbies.
Due to lockdowns, social distancing, and health risks, people were forced to limit their physical contact with their friends and could have lost touch.