Webster's dictionary defines loneliness as “without company, cut off from others and sadness from being alone.”

A study involving 29 countries around the world found not only that hundreds of thousands of people fit this definition, but that age isn't always the driving factor as was once thought.

In the U.S., not working was the top reason for the high levels of loneliness among middle-aged adults.

Although it's been generally accepted among social scientists that loneliness increases with age, this study, which involved analyzing data from over 64,000 adults from countries across Europe, North America and the Middle East who were between the ages of 50 and 90 years of age, found two countries — the United States and the Netherlands — had especially high levels of loneliness among middle-aged adults.

“There is a general perception that people get lonelier as they age, but the opposite is actually true in the U.S. where middle-aged people are lonelier than older generations,” lead author of the study, Robin Richardson, PhD, assistant professor at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health, confirmed in a press release.

Experts from Columbia University, McGill University in Canada and Universidad Mayor in Santiago, Chile collaborated on the study. Richardson and her colleagues explored how demographic and health factors were linked to the experience of loneliness throughout life.

It was true that loneliness generally increased with age, but the size of the increase was greater in some countries than in others.

Adults in Bulgaria and Latvia reported the most substantial increase in loneliness as people aged, while the study found that adults between 50 and 90 in Greece and Cyprus had the highest prevalence of loneliness.

Being unmarried, not working, being depressed or in poor health were major reasons why loneliness varied with age, but the importance and combination of factors differed in each country. For instance, in the U.S., not working was the top reason for a high level of loneliness among middle-aged adults.

Many of the contributors to loneliness remained unexplained in about 20 percent of the populations across countries. They were, however, still concentrated among middle-aged adults.

“Our findings show that loneliness is not just a late-life issue,” senior author Esteban Calvo, Dean of Social Sciences and Arts at Universidad Mayor in Chile, said. “In fact, many middle-aged adults — often juggling work, caregiving and isolation — are surprisingly vulnerable and need targeted interventions just as much as older adults.”

“[M]any middle-aged adults — often juggling work, caregiving and isolation — are surprisingly vulnerable and need targeted interventions just as much as older adults.”

What can be done to help? According to Dr. Calvo, “Globally, we must extend depression screenings to middle-aged groups, improve support for those not working or unmarried, and adapt these efforts to each country's context — because a one-size-fits-all approach will not solve this worldwide problem.”

If you are feeling lonely, the National Institute on Aging offers these tips to help you connect with other people:

  • Find an activity that you enjoy, restart an old hobby or take a class to learn something new.
  • Schedule time each day to stay in touch with family, friends and neighbors in person, by email, social media, voice call or text.
  • Use communication technologies such as video chat or smart speakers to help keep you engaged and connected.
  • Stay physically active. Find ways to exercise with others, such as joining a walking club or working out with a friend.
  • Introduce yourself to your neighbors.
  • Check out resources and programs at your local social service agencies, community and public libraries.
  • Volunteer. Join a cause and get involved in your community.

The study is published in the journal, Aging and Mental Health.