Loneliness: A Public Health Crisis – Part 3: The Geography of Loneliness
The Geography of Loneliness: Urban and Rural Isolation in Modern America
Loneliness knows no boundaries, it can affect anyone, anywhere. Where we live and the work environments we navigate play significant roles in shaping our sense of isolation. Whether you are a city dweller, a rural resident, a high-powered professional or a gig worker, loneliness is a universal experience that touches nearly everyone, regardless of circumstances. [1]
See all insight in the “Loneliness: A Public Health Crisis” series here.
Urban vs. Rural Loneliness: Different Landscape, Same Divide
Urban environments, despite their dense populations, often foster loneliness due to anonymity and social disconnection.[2] People can live surrounded by millions yet struggle to form meaningful relationships given the fast-paced, individualistic nature of life in the city.[3] High costs of living and career pressures further limit time for socializing.[4] Nearly 24% of people in major cities report they often feel lonely.[5]
Conversely, rural communities face different yet equally profound challenges when it comes to loneliness.[6] Limited public transportation and fewer social hubs make it difficult for residents to engage in community activities, leading to reduced social networks and a sense of detachment from society.[7] Additionally, geographic isolation can exacerbate these feelings, as the vast distances between neighbors and a lack of accessible services further hinder social interaction.[8] Moreover, the decline of longstanding community institutions—such as church gatherings, sports leagues, and local clubs—has eroded the social fabric in many rural areas, further contributing to isolation and loneliness.[9] Evidence suggests that as these traditional communal practices wane, residents lose critical opportunities for meaningful social interaction, exacerbating the mental and physical health impacts associated with loneliness.[10] These factors collectively create an environment where loneliness can thrive, affecting well-being in profound ways.
The Workplace and Loneliness
Workplace dynamics play a pivotal role in fostering or mitigating loneliness.[11] Remote workers and gig economy employees often lack the camaraderie of traditional office environments, leading to heightened feelings of loneliness.[12],[13] A 2022 survey noted that 70% of remote workers don’t feel they’re able to socialize enough, and close to half said they are likely to leave their jobs because of loneliness.[14]
However, loneliness in the workplace isn’t limited to remote workers or those in non-traditional job sectors. Blue-collar workers, especially those in industries that require long shifts or operate in isolated settings, often experience significant loneliness.[15] The lack of consistent social interaction, whether on the job site or in between shifts, can lead to feelings of isolation.[16] In many blue-collar professions, employees spend a significant amount of time working alone or in small teams, leaving them disconnected from larger social networks.[17]
On the other hand, loneliness also affects high-powered professionals and CEOs, who often find themselves isolated despite their leadership roles.[18] The pressures and demands of managing a company can create a sense of detachment, with CEOs and executives frequently having limited time for personal connections or socializing outside of work.[19] It is reported that 50% of CEOs report experiencing loneliness, nearly 70% of whom report that loneliness negatively affects their performance.[20] The need to maintain a certain level of authority and professionalism can hinder authentic, personal relationships.[21]
Loneliness in the workplace impacts productivity across all levels, increasing burnout, disengagement, and turnover rates.[22] Some companies are beginning to address this issue through corporate wellness programs, flexible work policies, and team-building initiatives aimed at fostering connection and engagement among employees, regardless of their roles or work settings.[23] Encouraging a culture of social interaction and providing spaces for meaningful connections can help mitigate loneliness and improve overall organizational well-being.[24]
Bridging the Divide
Addressing loneliness requires nuanced, targeted solutions. In urban environments, this means investing in community spaces and initiatives that encourage social interaction, creating more opportunities for connection within the urban jungle.[25] Expanding access to green spaces, parks, and third spaces – such as cafes, libraries, and co-working hubs – can provide accessible, low-pressure environments where people can engage socially, reducing isolation and fostering a sense of belonging.[26] In rural areas, the need for better transportation infrastructure and digital access in order to connect with essential services, employment opportunities, educational resources, and broader community networks is urgent to reduce isolation and increase opportunities for social engagement.[27] Employers, meanwhile, must prioritize social connection within their teams, adopting policies that create inclusive, engaging environments for both in-person and remote workers.
By recognizing the different factors contributing to loneliness, whether shaped by geography or work environment, we can develop innovative strategies to mitigate its effects. This approach not only fosters healthier communities but also enhances wellbeing across the nation.
About the Series
In the “Loneliness: A Public Health Crisis on a Mental Health Revolution” thought series, FTI Consulting experts delve into the pervasive impact of loneliness, examining its physical, psychological, and societal dimensions. The series aims to illuminate the nuanced challenges of loneliness and advocate for collaborative, targeted interventions to combat its effects and foster stronger, more connected communities. The first installment explores loneliness as a global challenge and its profound effects on mental and physical health, and its growing recognition among global policymakers. The second installment focuses on how loneliness impacts different age groups, highlighting the male loneliness epidemic that is growing by the minute. The third installment highlights the geography of loneliness and how the urban and rural divide contributed to the feeling of isolation. The fourth installment discusses the socioeconomic impact of loneliness and how it’s both a symptom and a consequence of economic instability. The final installment explores solutions to address the loneliness epidemic. See all insights in the series here.
Related Expertise
The views expressed herein are those of the author(s) and not necessarily the views of FTI Consulting, Inc., its management, its subsidiaries, its affiliates, or its other professionals.
FTI Consulting, Inc., including its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a consulting firm and is not a certified public accounting firm or a law firm.
FTI Consulting is an independent global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations manage change, mitigate risk and resolve disputes: financial, legal, operational, political and regulatory, reputational and transactional. FTI Consulting professionals, located in all major business centers throughout the world, work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges and opportunities. ©2025 FTI Consulting, Inc.
All rights reserved. fticonsulting.com
[1] Abir K. Bekhet, Jaclene A. Zauszniewski, Wagdy E. Nakhla, “Loneliness: A Concept Analysis,” Nursing Forum (November 18, 2008), https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1744-6198.2008.00114.x
[2] Andrea Mechelli, “People feel lonelier in crowded cities – but green spaces can help,” World Economic Forum (January 4, 2022), https://www.weforum.org/stories/2022/01/lonely-study-green-space-city/
[3] Id.
[4] Simon Nicholas Williams and Kimberly Dienes, “The ‘Cost of Living Crisis’ and its effects on health: A qualitative study from the UK,” Europe PMC (October 26, 2022), https://europepmc.org/article/ppr/ppr563628
[5] Dan Witters, “Loneliness in U.S. Subsides From Pandemic High,” Gallup (April 4, 2023), https://news.gallup.com/poll/473057/loneliness-subsides-pandemic-high.aspx?utm_
[6] Tara Williams, Ali Lakhani, Evelien Spelten, “Interventions to reduce loneliness and social isolation in rural settings: A mixed-methods review,” Journal of Rural Studies (February 2022), https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0743016722000237
[7] Id.
[8] Id.
[9] Paul Rand, Raghuram Rajan, “How the Loss of Community Threatens Society with Raghuram Rajan,” The University of Chicago: Big Brains Podcast (May 20, 2019), https://news.uchicago.edu/podcasts/big-brains/how-loss-community-threatens-society-raghuram-rajan
[10] Office of the Surgeon General, “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community,” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2023), https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/reports-and-publications/connection/index.html
[11] Bridget Bryan, G Andrews, Katherine Thompson, Pamela Qualter, Timothy Matthews, Louise Arseneault, ”Loneliness in the workplace: a mixed-method systematic review and meta-analysis,“ Occupational Medicine (January 29, 2024), https://academic.oup.com/occmed/article/73/9/557/7591258
[12] William J. Becker, Liuba Y. Belkin, Sarah E. Tuskey, Samantha A. Conroy, ”Surviving remotely: How job control and loneliness during a forced shift to remote work impacted employee work behaviors and well-being,” Personnel Psychology (February 1, 2022), https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/hrm.22102
[13] Senhu Wang, Lambert Zixin Li, Adam Coutts, ”National survey of mental health and life satisfaction of gig workers: the role of loneliness and financial precarity,” BMJ Open (December 9, 2022), https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/12/e066389.abstract
[14] Stephen Miller, Kathy Gurchiek, “Isolation to Inclusion: Fostering Meaningful Relationships at Work,” SHRM (February 24, 2023), https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/all-things-work/lonely-work
[15] Iradj Siassi, MD; Guido Crocetti, PhD; Herzl R. Spiro, MD, “Loneliness and Dissatisfaction in a Blue Collar Population,” JAMA Psychiatry (February 1974), https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/491088
[16] Id.
[17] Id.
[18] Jessy Zumaeta, ”Lonely at the Top: How Do Senior Leaders Navigate the Need to Belong?,” Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies (May 29, 2018), https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1548051818774548
[19] Id.
[20] Glynda Alves, ”It’s lonely at the top as CEOs reveal that being the final decision-maker has its ups – and its downs,” Economic Times (October 14, 2023), https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/its-lonely-at-the-top-as-ceos-reveal-that-being-the-final-decision-maker-has-its-ups-and-its-downs/articleshow/104429072.cms
[21] Id.
[22] Id.
[23] “Improving Employee Health by Combatting Loneliness in the Workplace,” Harvard Medical School (December 15, 2023), https://corporatelearning.hms.harvard.edu/blog/improving-employee-health-combatting-loneliness-workplace#:~:text=Make%20social%20connection%20a%20strategic,connections%2C%20inclusion%2C%20and%20belonging.
[24] Diane Sullivan and Bari Bendell, “Help! Lonely at work: Managerial interventions to combat employee loneliness,” Business Horizons (October 2023), https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0007681323000010
[25] Linda Poon, “City Life Is Too Lonely. Urban Planning Can Help,” Bloomberg Law (December 14, 2023), https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2023-12-14/how-to-design-a-city-that-fights-loneliness
[26] Susan Henderson, “Fighting loneliness with parks and third places,” CNU Journal (January 14, 2025), https://www.cnu.org/publicsquare/2025/01/14/fighting-loneliness-parks-and-third-places#:~:text=The%20third%20place%3A%20A%20critical%20community%20connector&text=Think%20about%20your%20favorite%20coffee,of%20something%20bigger%20than%20yourself.
[27] Tara Williams, Ali Lakhani, Evelien Spelten, “Interventions to reduce loneliness and social isolation in rural settings: A mixed-methods review,” Journal of Rural Studies (February 2022), https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0743016722000237
