Isolation nation
‘One chronically lonely OAP on every street in Scotland’ – and it’s going to get worse, say experts
SCOTLAND is facing a loneliness crisis as increasing numbers are expected to live alone in their later years.
The number of single-person households is growing at a faster rate than the general population, latest figures show.
and retirement-age men are particularly likely to be living alone by 2028, according to a forecast published yesterday by national Records of Scotland (NRS).
around 140,000 men aged 65 or over will live alone by 2028 – an increase of nearly a quarter on the most recent figures from 2018.
Brian Sloan, age Scotland’s chief executive, said more would have to be done to combat loneliness.
He added: ‘There is already at least one chronically lonely older person on every street in Scotland, and this will only increase without a nationwide effort to tackle it.’
Mr Sloan said it was vital that health and social care services were prepared for the changing population. He added: ‘There is a clear need for more accessible, energy-efficient and agefriendly housing.
‘Most older people want to live independently for as long as possible, but far too many are stuck in unsuitable, hard-to-heat homes.’
Compared with 2018, the number of men aged 65 and over living alone is expected to increase by 23 per cent, to 139,500, in 2028. Over the same period, the number of women aged 65 and over living alone is likely to increase by 16 per cent to 245,900.
anne Callaghan, campaign manager for Campaign to end loneliness Scotland, said: ‘With the projected increase of single households over the next decade being more than four in ten in Scotland, it is even more important that housing and public spaces need to be constructed in a way that helps us to get to know our neighbours and those about us.
‘Research tells us that if you are single, live alone and lack social connections, it is as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.’
Statisticians also forecast that the substantial increase in the number of older households, particularly in older people living alone, has implications for services and policies aimed at supporting older people.
In general, the number of households north of the Border is projected to increase by 120,000 – 5 per cent – over ten years, from 2.48million in 2018 to 2.60million in 2028.
The fastest growing areas are in the east of the country, with Midlothian projected to have the biggest increase.
NRS lead statistician Sandy Taylor said: ‘The number of people aged 65 and over is significantly increasing.
‘This is driving a shift towards a larger number of both smaller and older households.’