France: 750,000 elderly people face extreme social isolation

Tuesday 30 September 2025 - 08:00

By: Sahili Aya

France: 750,000 elderly people face extreme social isolation

According to a new report published by the French charity Les Petits Frères des Pauvres, around 750,000 seniors over the age of 60 are living in a state of “social death,” cut off from family, friends, and neighbors. This figure represents 4% of the country’s elderly population and marks a dramatic 150% increase in just eight years.

The study, carried out with CSA Research, reveals that the number of isolated seniors has risen sharply since the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted social ties many never regained. Women and men over 80, often facing the loss of a spouse or declining autonomy, are among the most vulnerable.

The association warns that extreme loneliness has serious consequences, including higher risks of depression and a suicide rate among people aged 85 to 94 that is twice as high as the general population. Factors such as low income, limited mobility, and the absence of children or grandchildren contribute significantly to this isolation.

Les Petits Frères des Pauvres and partner networks are calling for greater community involvement and public support to address what they describe as a growing social emergency.