#Oxfordresearch

A major new study from Oxford University has uncovered compelling evidence that loneliness inflicts a much harsher toll on mental and physical health among people living in poverty compared to their more affluent peers—even when both groups report similar levels of social interaction. This landmark research, surveying more than 24,500 people across 20 European countries, shines a spotlight on the intertwined effects of financial hardship, social isolation, and health, with urgent implications for communities in Thailand and globally.

A comprehensive study by Oxford University reveals that loneliness harms mental and physical health more among people living in poverty than among richer individuals, even when both groups report similar social interaction. The research surveyed over 24,500 people across 20 European countries and highlights how financial hardship, isolation, and health are interconnected. The findings carry clear implications for communities in Thailand and around the world.

Poverty is not only a lack of income but a form of social exclusion that compounds health risks. The study, published in Public Health, shows a sharp gap: 49% of those in the lowest income group felt lonely in the prior week, compared with 15% in the highest income group. This gap persists despite similar amounts of time spent socializing across income groups. The message is clear: loneliness compounds the health toll of poverty, beyond what social contact alone can address. Research by Oxford emphasizes that the problem stems from a defensive response to scarcity—pain, fatigue, and low mood that reinforce one another—and is stronger among the poor who feel socially isolated.