Loneliness takes the floor in Copenhagen’s Parliament

Copenhagen. Feeling lonely in the world’s fourth-happiest country may sound like a paradox, but it is the reality for around ten percent of the Danish population, according to Denmark’s National Health Profile. To tackle this growing issue, for the first time ever the annual "Loneliness Conference" hosted by the People’s Movement Against Loneliness will take place the Danish Parliament in Copenhagen on September 25th. Louise Solgård Hvas, deputy chair of the movement, sees the location as an opportunity to further raise awareness on loneliness among national politicians.

There are many reasons why people feel lonely. According to Solgård Hvas, individualism, poor mental health and social media all contribute. Based on a report by the Mary Foundation from 2024, foreigners seem to be particularly affected: around 19 percent of those over 16 who were not born in Denmark report feeling lonely. 

“I think Danes form friend groups from a very early age, and it’s hard to break into them,” says Julia Ryll, a 31-year-old American who has been living in Copenhagen for over a year. Following Statistics Denmark, about 24.000 foreigners move to Copenhagen every year.

Danish Health Authorities estimate around 7 billion DKK (938 million Euro) being spent annually on care, treatment, and productivity losses in connection to loneliness, making it a structural and not only a personal issue.  “[Loneliness] is an issue that politicians have a responsibility to fix”, says Solgård Hvas.