Study Reveals Potential Loneliness for Retirees Abroad

Many retirees choose to spend their golden years in places often associated with vacationing, but a recent study suggests this dream may come with significant challenges, particularly regarding social connections.

Researchers from the University of Groningen conducted a study comparing expatriate retirees with those remaining in the Netherlands. The findings indicated that retirees who relocated felt a greater sense of loneliness in their social environments.

Esma Betül Savas, the lead author of the study published in the journal Psychology and Aging, highlighted that aging itself is a risk factor for loneliness, which can have detrimental effects on health. This suggests that retirees who move abroad may face a heightened risk of isolation.

The study serves as a reminder for retirees considering relocation to carefully evaluate how they will maintain their social ties back home while also building new connections in their new country. According to the German Pension Insurance, over 237,000 Germans were receiving their pensions abroad by the end of 2023, with popular destinations including Austria, Switzerland, Spain, the USA, and France.

In their research, Savas and her team surveyed nearly 5,000 expatriate retirees and about 1,400 retirees who remained in the Netherlands. Participants were asked about their feelings of loneliness and the quality of their relationships with family, friends, and neighbors. The study differentiated between emotional loneliness, stemming from the absence of close friends or partners, and social loneliness, which arises from a lack of broader social networks and community.

One of the key findings indicated that retirees abroad often miss the sense of community. Many expatriates move with a spouse or partner, and while this connection is important, the loss of contact with close friends and family back home can lead to feelings of isolation. Conversely, those who made efforts to connect with new neighbors reported lower levels of loneliness.

As this study highlights, the experience of retirement in a foreign country is multifaceted, and while the allure of sunny weather and beautiful landscapes is appealing, the potential for loneliness is a significant factor that should not be overlooked.