Source: IEEE Spectrum
See also:
AI Researchers Predict Automation of All Human Jobs in 125 Years
Robot Overlords: AI At Facebook, Amazon, Disney And Digital Transformation At GE, DBS, BNY Mellon
Why Ones and Zeros Are Eating the World
30 years ago today, Steve Jobs unveiled the Macintosh. More accurately, The Great Magician took it out of a bag and let it talk to us. The Macintosh, as I learned from first-hand experience in 1984, was a huge leap forward compared to the PCs of the time. But I couldn’t have written and published the previous words and shared a digitized version of Jobs’ performance so easily, to a potential audience of 2.5 billion people, without two other inventions, the Internet and the Web.
45 years ago this year (October 29, 1969), the first ARPANET (later to be known as the Internet) link was established between UCLA and SRI. 25 years ago this year (March 1989), Tim Berners-Lee circulated a proposal for “Mesh” (later to be known as the World Wide Web) to his management at CERN.
The Internet started as a network for linking research centers. The World Wide Web started as a way to share information among researchers at CERN. Both have expanded to touch today a third of the world’s population because they have been based on open standards. The Macintosh, while a breakthrough in human-computer interaction, was conceived as a closed system and did not break from the path established by its predecessors: It was a desktop/personal mainframe. One ideology was replaced by another, with very little (and very controlled) room for outside innovation. (To paraphrase Search Engine Land’s Danny Sullivan, the big brother minions in Apple’s “1984” Super Bowl ad remind one of the people in Apple stores today).
This is not a criticism of Jobs, nor is it a complete dismissal of closed systems. It may well be that the only way for his (and his team’s) design genius to succeed was by keeping complete ownership of their proprietary innovations. But the truly breakthrough products they gave us—the iPod (and iTunes), and especially the iPhone (and “smartphones”)—were highly dependent on the availability and popularity of an open platform for sharing information, based on the Internet and the Web.
Creating a closed and proprietary system has been the business model of choice for many great inventors and some of the greatest inventions of the computer age. That’s where we were headed towards in the early 1990s: The establishment of global proprietary networks owned by a few computer and telecommunications companies, whether old (IBM, AT&T) or new (AOL). Tim Berners-Lee’s invention and CERN’s decision to offer it to the world for free in 1993 changed the course of this proprietary march, giving a new—and much expanded—life to the Internet (itself a response to proprietary systems that did not inter-communicate) and establishing a new, open platform, for a seemingly infinite number of applications and services.
As Bob Metcalfe told me in 2009: “Tim Berners-Lee invented the URL, HTTP, and HTML standards… three adequate standards that, when used together, ignited the explosive growth of the Web… What this has demonstrated is the efficacy of the layered architecture of the Internet. The Web demonstrates how powerful that is, both by being layered on top of things that were invented 17 years before, and by giving rise to amazing new functions in the following decades.”
Metcalfe also touched on the power and potential of an open platform: “Tim Berners-Lee tells this joke, which I hasten to retell because it’s so good. He was introduced at a conference as the inventor of the World Wide Web. As often happens when someone is introduced that way, there are at least three people in the audience who want to fight about that, because they invented it or a friend of theirs invented it. Someone said, ‘You didn’t. You can’t have invented it. There’s just not enough time in the day for you to have typed in all that information.’ That poor schlemiel completely missed the point that Tim didn’t create the World Wide Web. He created the mechanism by which many, many people could create the World Wide Web.”
“All that information” was what the Web gave us (and what was also on the mind of one of the Internet’s many parents, J.C.R. Licklider, who envisioned it as a giant library). But this information comes in the form of ones and zeros, it is digital information. In 2007, when Jobs introduced the iPhone, 94% of storage capacity in the world was digital, a complete reversal from 1986, when 99.2% of all storage capacity was analog. The Web was the glue and the catalyst that would speed up the spread of digitization to all analog devices and channels for the creation, communications, and consumption of information. It has been breaking down, one by one, proprietary and closed systems with the force of its ones and zeros.
Metcalfe’s comments were first published in ON magazine which I created and published for my employer at the time, EMC Corporation. For a special issue (PDF) commemorating the 20th anniversary of the invention of the Web, we asked some 20 members of the Inforati how the Web has changed their and our lives and what it will look like in the future. Here’s a sample of their answers:
Guy Kawasaki: “With the Web, I’ve become a lot more digital… I have gone from three or four meetings a day to zero meetings per day… Truly the best will be when there is a 3-D hologram of Guy giving a speech. You can pass your hand through him. That’s ultimate.”
Chris Brogan: “We look at the Web as this set of tools that allow people to try any idea without a whole lot of expense… Anyone can start anything with very little money, and then it’s just a meritocracy in terms of winning the attention wars.”
Tim O’Reilly: “This next stage of the Web is being driven by devices other than computers. Our phones have six or seven sensors. The applications that are coming will take data from our devices and the data that is being built up in these big user-contributed databases and mash them together in new kinds of services.”
John Seely Brown: “When I ran Xerox PARC, I had access to one of the world’s best intellectual infrastructures: 250 researchers, probably another 50 craftspeople, and six reference librarians all in the same building. Then one day to go cold turkey—when I did my first retirement—was a complete shock. But with the Web, in a year or two, I had managed to hone a new kind of intellectual infrastructure that in many ways matched what I already had. That’s obviously the power of the Web, the power to connect and interact at a distance.”
Jimmy Wales: “One of the things I would like to see in the future is large-scale, collaborative video projects. Imagine what the expense would be with traditional methods if you wanted to do a documentary film where you go to 90 different countries… with the Web, a large community online could easily make that happen.”
Paul Saffo: “I love that story of when Tim Berners-Lee took his proposal to his boss, who scribbled on it, ‘Sounds exciting, though a little vague.’ But Tim was allowed to do it. I’m alarmed because at this moment in time, I don’t think there are any institutions our there where people are still allowed to think so big.”
Dany Levy (founder of DailyCandy): “With the Web, everything comes so easily. I wonder about the future and the human ability to research and to seek and to find, which is really an important skill. I wonder, will human beings lose their ability to navigate?”
Howard Rheingold: “The Web allows people to do things together that they weren’t allowed to do before. But… I think we are in danger of drowning in a sea of misinformation, disinformation, spam, porn, urban legends, and hoaxes.”
Paul Graham: “[With the Web] you don’t just have to use whatever information is local. You can ship information to anyone anywhere. The key is to have the right filter. This is often what startups make.”
How many startups have flourished on the basis of the truly great products Apple has brought to the world? And how many startups and grown-up companies today are entirely based on an idea first flashed out in a modest proposal 25 years ago? And there is no end in sight for the expanding membership in the latter camp, now also increasingly including the analogs of the world. All businesses, all governments, all non-profits, all activities are being eaten by ones and zeros. Tim Berners-Lee has unleashed an open, ever-expanding system for the digitization of everything.
We also interviewed Berners-Lee in 2009. He said that the Web has “changed in the last few years faster than it changed before, and it is crazy to for us to imagine this acceleration will suddenly stop.” He pointed out the ongoing tendency to lock what we do with computers in a proprietary jail: “…there are aspects of the online world that are still fairly ‘pre-Web.’ Social networking sites, for example, are still siloed; you can’t share your information from one site with a contact on another site.” But he remained both realistic and optimistic, the hallmarks of an entrepreneur: “The Web, after all, is just a tool…. What you see on it reflects humanity—or at least the 20 percent of humanity that currently has access to the Web… No one owns the World Wide Web, no one has a copyright for it, and no one collects royalties from it. It belongs to humanity, and when it comes to humanity, I’m tremendously optimistic.”
[Originally published on Forbes.com]
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The Startup Unicorn Explosion (Infographic)
We looked at all still-private unicorns since 2011 and charted them based on when they first joined the unicorn club. While initially the chart shows unicorns being created at a relatively calm pace, the rhythm accelerates noticeably in late 2013 (right around the time Aileen Lee wrote her famous post coining the term unicorn in November 2013). Since then, there has been an explosion in unicorn creation, with over 60 new unicorns in 2015 alone.
See also The Unicorn List (updated in real-time)
The Big Data Explosion (Infographic)
Lotsa data in this Infographic about data growth
Posted in Big Data Analytics, Data Growth, Infographics
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The Data Science Interview: Mingsheng Hong, Hadapt
Data scientists are data junkies—when they see a new data set they are just naturally excited and can’t wait to explore.
Mingsheng Hong is Chief Data Scientist at Hadapt, a Boston-based startup that offers an analytical platform that integrates structured and unstructured data in one cloud-optimized system. Before joining Hadapt, Mingsheng was Field CTO for Vertica. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Cornell and a BSc in Computer Science from Fudan University. Mingsheng is president of NECINA and is active in St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a volunteer-driven charity that funds research to find cures for childhood cancers. I talked to Mingsheng just before he shaved his head, a visual indicator and act of solidarity expected from successful St. Baldrick’s fundraisers.
As a graduate student, were you thinking of an academic career?
At Cornell, I explored both academic and private industry career tracks. I love research and innovation, and discovered my passion for explaining ideas to people from various backgrounds and getting them excited about these ideas. While that aligns with a more academic track, in the end I decided the private sector was a better fit for me. I’m driven by the challenge of taking an idea and carrying it end-to-end, from idea to product development to sales. During graduate school, I had the opportunity to visit Microsoft for a few summers, and I got a lot of exposure to database R&D and came away with a good feel for the industry. My research work there was commercialized in SQL Server 2008 and 2012, which was very exciting. Continue reading
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SAS CTO on Big Data and Big Compute
“One of my biggest challenges,” Keith Collins told me recently, “is helping SAS understand how to communicate to IT organizations. We present workloads which look odd and different. IT does not know how to have an SLA (Service Level Agreement) around them. We take all of the compute and I/O capacity that they can give us.”
SAS, the largest independent vendor in the business intelligence market, used to be a prime example of “shadow IT,” the purchasing of information technology tools by business users without the knowledge and approval of the central IT organization. But this is changing in the era of big data. The collection and analysis of data are becoming a very large part of many business activities and the IT organization is asked to provide support, even leadership, in tying together these disparate efforts.
Collins is SVP and CTO at SAS, where he has spent almost 30 years, helping the company grow with the market through a number of phases (and buzzwords)—statistical analysis, decision-support, data mining, knowledge and risk management, business intelligence, and business analytics. Now SAS is helping its customers, including CIOs and their IT teams, address the challenges of big data. Collins has seen this movie before: “People are all hyped up about Hadoop. But what is it, really? It is big and wide record sizes, big block sizes, designed specifically for high-volume, sequential processing. Just like a SAS data set in 1968… The only difference between a SAS data set and Hadoop is that now the disks are cheap enough that you can do replication.” The following is an edited transcript of our conversation.
Gil Press: Indeed, many people talk about Hadoop as a replacement for tape.
Keith Collins: We love that people get that as a pattern now, because it really helps them understand SAS. So it is a really good time for us to have the conversation with IT about it. But they are still struggling. They see it as “what is my next big data repository?” They do not see it as “this is my next big way to answer questions.”
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The Web at 25: The Value of Open
The Internet started as a network for linking research centers. The World Wide Web started as a way to share information among researchers at CERN. Both have expanded to touch today a third of the world’s population because they have been based on open standards.
Creating a closed and proprietary system has been the business model of choice for many great inventors and some of the greatest inventions of the computer age. That’s where we were headed towards in the early 1990s: The establishment of global proprietary networks owned by a few computer and telecommunications companies, whether old (IBM, AT&T) or new (AOL). Tim Berners-Lee’s invention and CERN’s decision to offer it to the world for free in 1993 changed the course of this proprietary march, giving a new—and much expanded—life to the Internet (itself a response to proprietary systems that did not inter-communicate) and establishing a new, open platform, for a seemingly infinite number of applications and services.
As Bob Metcalfe told me in 2009: “Tim Berners-Lee invented the URL, HTTP, and HTML standards… three adequate standards that, when used together, ignited the explosive growth of the Web… What this has demonstrated is the efficacy of the layered architecture of the Internet. The Web demonstrates how powerful that is, both by being layered on top of things that were invented 17 years before, and by giving rise to amazing new functions in the following decades.”
Metcalfe also touched on the power and potential of an open platform: “Tim Berners-Lee tells this joke, which I hasten to retell because it’s so good. He was introduced at a conference as the inventor of the World Wide Web. As often happens when someone is introduced that way, there are at least three people in the audience who want to fight about that, because they invented it or a friend of theirs invented it. Someone said, ‘You didn’t. You can’t have invented it. There’s just not enough time in the day for you to have typed in all that information.’ That poor schlemiel completely missed the point that Tim didn’t create the World Wide Web. He created the mechanism by which many, many people could create the World Wide Web.”
“All that information” was what the Web gave us (and what was also on the mind of one of the Internet’s many parents, J.C.R. Licklider, who envisioned it as a giant library). But this information comes in the form of ones and zeros, it is digital information. In 2007, 94% of storage capacity in the world was digital, a complete reversal from 1986, when 99.2% of all storage capacity was analog. The Web was the glue and the catalyst that would speed up the spread of digitization to all analog devices and channels for the creation, communications, and consumption of information. It has been breaking down, one by one, proprietary and closed systems with the force of its ones and zeros.
Metcalfe’s comments were first published in ON magazine which I created and published for my employer at the time, EMC Corporation. For a special issue (PDF) commemorating the 20th anniversary of the invention of the Web, we asked some 20 members of the Inforati how the Web has changed their and our lives and what it will look like in the future. Here’s a sample of their answers:
Guy Kawasaki: “With the Web, I’ve become a lot more digital… I have gone from three or four meetings a day to zero meetings per day… Truly the best will be when there is a 3-D hologram of Guy giving a speech. You can pass your hand through him. That’s ultimate.”
Chris Brogan: “We look at the Web as this set of tools that allow people to try any idea without a whole lot of expense… Anyone can start anything with very little money, and then it’s just a meritocracy in terms of winning the attention wars.”
Tim O’Reilly: “This next stage of the Web is being driven by devices other than computers. Our phones have six or seven sensors. The applications that are coming will take data from our devices and the data that is being built up in these big user-contributed databases and mash them together in new kinds of services.”
John Seely Brown: “When I ran Xerox PARC, I had access to one of the world’s best intellectual infrastructures: 250 researchers, probably another 50 craftspeople, and six reference librarians all in the same building. Then one day to go cold turkey—when I did my first retirement—was a complete shock. But with the Web, in a year or two, I had managed to hone a new kind of intellectual infrastructure that in many ways matched what I already had. That’s obviously the power of the Web, the power to connect and interact at a distance.”
Jimmy Wales: “One of the things I would like to see in the future is large-scale, collaborative video projects. Imagine what the expense would be with traditional methods if you wanted to do a documentary film where you go to 90 different countries… with the Web, a large community online could easily make that happen.”
Paul Saffo: “I love that story of when Tim Berners-Lee took his proposal to his boss, who scribbled on it, ‘Sounds exciting, though a little vague.’ But Tim was allowed to do it. I’m alarmed because at this moment in time, I don’t think there are any institutions our there where people are still allowed to think so big.”
Dany Levy (founder of DailyCandy): “With the Web, everything comes so easily. I wonder about the future and the human ability to research and to seek and to find, which is really an important skill. I wonder, will human beings lose their ability to navigate?”
Howard Rheingold: “The Web allows people to do things together that they weren’t allowed to do before. But… I think we are in danger of drowning in a sea of misinformation, disinformation, spam, porn, urban legends, and hoaxes.”
Paul Graham: “[With the Web] you don’t just have to use whatever information is local. You can ship information to anyone anywhere. The key is to have the right filter. This is often what startups make.”
How many startups and grown-up companies today are entirely based on an idea first flashed out in a modest proposal 25 years ago? And there is no end in sight for the expanding membership in this club, now also increasingly including the analogs of the world. All businesses, all governments, all non-profits, all activities are being eaten by ones and zeros. Tim Berners-Lee has unleashed an open, ever-expanding system for the digitization of everything.
We also interviewed Berners-Lee in 2009. He said that the Web has “changed in the last few years faster than it changed before, and it is crazy to for us to imagine this acceleration will suddenly stop.” He pointed out the ongoing tendency to lock what we do with computers in a proprietary jail: “…there are aspects of the online world that are still fairly ‘pre-Web.’ Social networking sites, for example, are still siloed; you can’t share your information from one site with a contact on another site.” But he remained both realistic and optimistic, the hallmarks of an entrepreneur: “The Web, after all, is just a tool…. What you see on it reflects humanity—or at least the 20 percent of humanity that currently has access to the Web… No one owns the World Wide Web, no one has a copyright for it, and no one collects royalties from it. It belongs to humanity, and when it comes to humanity, I’m tremendously optimistic.”
The Pew Research Center is marking the 25th anniversary of the Web in a series of reports. Berners-Lee says in a press release issued today by the World Wide Web Consortium: “I hope this anniversary will spark a global conversation about our need to defend principles that have made the Web successful, and to unlock the Web’s untapped potential. I believe we can build a Web that truly is for everyone: one that is accessible to all, from any device, and one that empowers all of us to achieve our dignity, rights and potential as humans.”
See also Berners-Lee post on Google’s official blog: “…today is a day to celebrate. But it’s also an occasion to think, discuss—and do. Key decisions on the governance and future of the Internet are looming, and it’s vital for all of us to speak up for the web’s future. How can we ensure that the other 60 percent around the world who are not connected get online fast? How can we make sure that the web supports all languages and cultures, not just the dominant ones? How do we build consensus around open standards to link the coming Internet of Things? Will we allow others to package and restrict our online experience, or will we protect the magic of the open web and the power it gives us to say, discover, and create anything? How can we build systems of checks and balances to hold the groups that can spy on the net accountable to the public? These are some of my questions—what are yours?”
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AI Girlfriend Statistics, User Growth, Market Size, App Downloads
AI Girlfriend platforms have gained widespread recognition among users worldwide in the last few years. In Fact, the AI Girlfriend market was worth $2.8 billion in 2023 and it was also projected the market will reach $9.5 billion by the end of 2028.
Currently, more and more people are signing up with AI Girlfriend platforms to gain virtual companionship and every one in five guys in dating apps have tried out AI girlfriend tools at some point. In this article, we are going to take a look at AI Girlfriend Statistics to understand its true impact, user growth, demand, market, and app downloads.
Key AI Girlfriend Statistics
- In 2023, the global AI Girlfriend market was valued at $2.8 billion.
- The global AI Girlfriend market is expected to reach a milestone of $9.5 billion by 2028.
- “AI Girlfriend” searches have witnessed a growth of 525% in one year.
- Character AI is the leading AI Girlfriend platform with the highest monthly visits (97 million) in March 2024.
- 47% of users have claimed they would use an AI Dating app for Long-Term partnerships.
- 1 in 5 young users are open to the idea of an AI or virtual partner.
- More than 73,000 monthly searches took place for “AI relationship bots” as of February 2024.
- 50% of users stated they interact with their AI Girlfriend every day.
The Global AI Girlfriend Market was worth $2.8 billion in 2023
In 2023, the global AI Girlfriend market was valued at $2.8 billion and is expected to have a promising future with projections showcasing significant growth and evolution. With time, AI Girlfriend platforms are expected to offer more realistic and personalized experiences to its users including advanced sex chatbots.
According to reports, the AI Girlfriend market is projected to reach $9.5 billion by 2028 worldwide. This growth is expected to be driven by numerous factors such as increased user acceptance, improved AI algorithms, and integration of AI in numerous aspects of life.
AI Girlfriend Search Trends and User Interest
There has been a significant growth in “AI Girlfriend” search trends over the last few years, along with an increase in user engagement. In addition, AI Girlfriend platforms also witnessed an excellent rise in population in the United States with millions of monthly searches incoming. Below we have mentioned key statistics highlighting AI Girlfriend search trends and user interest:
- There was a rise in Google searches for the term “AI Girlfriend” by 2,400% between 2022 to 2023. This highlighted the excessive demand and interest among users for AI-driven relationships.
- There was a rise of 620% in the searches for the term “virtual girlfriend” year-over-year globally. This showcases the widespread demand for virtual companionship among users worldwide.
- The Term “AI Companion” witnessed a rise of 490% in 2023 in the United States alone in comparison to 2022 reflecting a growth at a large scale.
- Over 73,000 monthly searches took place for “AI relationship bots” as of February 2024. It highlighted the tremendous demand for AI-based conversations and companionship among the audience.
Many users are drawn to AI girlfriend apps due to their advanced interaction capabilities of Sexting AI platforms.
A growth of 525% in “AI Girlfriend” searches took place in One Year
The demand for AI Girlfriend platforms has been increasing at a rapid speed in the past few years. In Fact, the search queries for AI girlfriend have witnessed a growth of 525% in the last year which indicates the excellent development in the sector of AI and virtual companionship. This showcases the evolution of dating and relationships among humans and how they are turning to AI technology for interactions and emotional support.
AI Girlfriend User Demographics and Adoption of AI Girlfriends
Users from different age groups and genders are accessing AI Girlfriend platforms at a large scale. A significant number of users from different age groups and genders are turning towards virtual girlfriend platforms for interactions. Below we have mentioned top AI Girlfriend statistics highlighting the user demographic and adoption of AI girlfriends among the users:
- 27 years old is the average age of an AI Girlfriend platform user. This also indicates that virtual girlfriend platforms are appealing to users among millennials and Generation Z users.
- 28% of Male users who fall under the age group of 18 to 34 claimed to have interacted with an AI Girlfriend app or chatbot at least once. This highlights the significant interest of young male adults in AI Girlfriend platforms.
- About 18% of the AI girlfriend users are identified as “female users.” This indicates the appeal for virtual girlfriend platforms goes beyond gender boundaries.
- 1 in 5 men on dating apps have tried AI girlfriend platforms at least once, highlighting the increased acceptance of AI-driven companionship and relationships in the dating landscape.
- 63% of men aged below 30 years claim they are single compared to 34% of females below 30. This ratio might contribute to the rising popularity and demand for AI girlfriends among people as an alternative to gain companionship and emotional support.
AI Girlfriend User Engagement and Market Growth
The AI Girlfriend market worldwide has been gaining massive recognition among users in the past few years. The User engagement and market growth of AI Girlfriend is reaching new heights in just a short duration. Here are some of the key statistics related to its engagement and market growth:
- Around 55% of the users interact with their AI girlfriends every day, showcasing a high level of engagement and commitment towards their virtual relationships.
- On Average, AI Girlfriend spends about $47 every month to access the premium features on the platform. Indicating eagerness to invest in advanced features for an enhanced companionship experience online.
- In 2022 the worldwide funding of the AI companion industry hit a milestone of $299 million witnessing an excellent growth from just $7 million in the previous year 2021. This showcased the rapid growth and interest among users towards AI-driven companionship.
1 in 5 young people are open to using AI Girlfriend apps
The younger generation who come under the age group of (13 to 39 years old) are open to using AI girlfriends. Apparently, one in five users has expressed their interest in accessing virtual companionship. This shows us the shifting perception among the younger generation towards relationships and how they are breaking the norms of traditional relationships by seeking companionship through AI. It also indicated the acceptability of AI in today’s world and how users can actually turn to an AI Girlfriend to talk and express their emotions.
Most Valued Features among AI Girlfriends Apps
Users are accessing the AI Girlfriend platform for a variety of features and requirements. According to research, one of the most-valued features among the users for accessing AI girlfriend apps is Calling with an average rating of 5.57. Followed by good privacy and security in the second position with a 4.9 rating and Realism in the third position with a 3.2 average rating.
Here is a breakdown of the most-valued features among AI Girlfriend apps:
| Top Features | Average Rating |
| Calling | 5.57 |
| Privacy and Security | 4.9 |
| Realism | 3.2 |
| NSFW Content | 2.87 |
| Customization | 2.6 |
| Good conversation | 1.87 |
Top AI Girlfriend Platform Based on Monthly Visits
Character AI is the leading AI Girlfriend platform with the highest monthly visits in March 2024, it acquired a total of 97 million monthly visits. Followed by Janitor AI in the second position with 32 million monthly visits and CrushOn AI in the third position with 20.1 million monthly visits.
| AI Girlfriend platform | Monthly Visits (March) |
| Character AI | 97 million |
| Janitor AI | 32 million |
| CrushOn AI | 20.1 million |
| SpicyChat AI | 16.9 million |
| Candy AI | 12.1 million |
| DreamGF | 5.1 million |
| Pephop | 2.7 million |
| GPTGirlfriend | 2.6 million |
| Charstar | 2.3 million |
| Joyland | 1.7 million |
| Muah AI | 1.5 million |
| SoulFun | 1.5 million |
| Replika | 703K |
| Unhinged | 482K |
| SoulGen | 479K |
| Nastia | 406K |
| Romantic | 321K |
| VMate | 267K |
| Tingo | 230K |
AI Girlfriend App Downloads
AI Girlfriend apps are gaining massive recognition from users across the world with millions of downloads. Currently, the most popular AI girlfriend app among users is Replika AI and Character AI with over 10 million downloads worldwide. Followed by Chai in the second position with over 5 million downloads and iGirl in the third position with 1 million downloads.
Here is a breakdown of the top AI girlfriend apps based on downloads:
| Top AI Girlfriend apps | App Downloads |
| Replika AI | 10 million + |
| Character AI | 10 million + |
| Chai: Chat AI Platform | 5 million + |
| iGirl | 1 million + |
| EVA Character AI & AI Friend | 1 million + |
| Anima: AI Friend Virtual Chat | 1 million + |
| CrushOn AI | 500K + |
| AI Girlfriend | 500K + |
| Botify AI | 500K + |
| Romantic AI | 100K + |
| Kindroid: AI Companion Chat | 100K + |
How Often Do Users Chat With Their AI Girlfriend?
Surprisingly 50% of the users claim they talk to their AI Girlfriend every day, while 43.3% of users stated accessing the virtual girlfriend platform on a weekly basis.
Below we have mentioned a table showcasing how often users chat with their AI Girlfriend:
| Time spent on AI Girlfriend platform | Share of users |
| Daily | 50% |
| Weekly | 43.3% |
| Less Frequently | 3.3% |
| Monthly | 3.3% |
Users on whether AI Girlfriends can replace Actual Girlfriends
A survey was conducted with 30 people where they were asked about whether AI Girlfriends can replace human girlfriends. 40% which is 12 out of 30 stated yes, while 60% (18 out of 30) stated No, as they didn’t think technology could actually replace human emotions. This showcased different opinions of people towards AI companionship.
| Can AI Girlfriends replace actual girlfriend | Share of respondents |
| Yes | 40% |
| No | 60% |
Top Reasons Behind People Using AI Girlfriend Apps
One of the top reasons behind users accessing AI Girlfriend apps is constant feelings of loneliness. Apparently, 51% of users utilize the AI Girlfriend platform to gain companionship and feel less lonely. The second most common reason behind users accessing AI Girlfriend apps is for fun and entertainment by 21.6%.
Below we have mentioned a table showcasing the top reasons behind users accessing AI Girlfriend apps:
| Top Reasons | Share of users |
| Feeling Lonely | 51% |
| For Fun | 21.6% |
| Just Curious | 11.8% |
| Get better with women | 11.8% |
| Friend Recommendation | 3.9% |
FAQs
How big is the AI Girlfriend Market?
The AI Girlfriend market was worth $2.8 billion in 2023 and it is projected the AI Girlfriend market will reach $9.5 billion by 2028.
Who are the major players in the AI Girlfriend App Market?
The major players in the AI Girlfriend app market are Replika AI, Character AI, Chai, Eva AI, iGirl, and Anima AI.
What is the future of AI girlfriends?
The future of AI Girlfriends looks quite bright considering the amount of attention and popularity these virtual girlfriends have been gaining in the last few years. According to reports, the market size of AI girlfriends is expected to reach $9.5 billion by 2028 so the future looks quite hopeful for AI girlfriends tools.
Wrapping Up
The Future of AI Girlfriend platforms looks quite promising considering the excessive demand for virtual companionship worldwide. Along with the massive growth of AI Girlfriend in Google searches. The global AI Girlfriend market was valued at $2.8 billion and the market is projected to reach a milestone of $9.5 billion by 2028. Therefore, the demand for AI Girlfriends among users doesn’t seem to witness a drop anytime soon.
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Sexting Statistics 2024: How common is it for people to sext?
Sexting refers to the process of sending sexually explicit text messages, images, or videos to someone using their smartphone, desktop, etc. The practice of sexting is generally considered taboo but the numbers and sexting statistics in the digital world completely say otherwise since 8 out of 10 adults have reported to have sexted. Nowadays, AI Sex apps are becoming popular, too.
Around 88% of Americans aged 18 and older have stated being engaged in sexting at least once in their life. In this article, we will provide insight into Sexting statistics in 2024 and explain how common sexting is among people.
Top Sexting Statistics 2024
- 88% of American adults who are aged 18 and above have stated being involved in sexting activity at some point in their lives.
- 76.9% of U.S. adults were involved in sending sexual texts in 2023.
- Millennials are the leading generation with the highest percentage of individuals engaging in sexting at 37%.
- 12.1% of American adults have reported engaging in sexting outside of their relationship.
- 1 in 5 teenagers have been engaged in sexting activity.
- Baby Boomers are the generation with the lowest number of individuals engaging in sexting activity by 5%.
- 24% of teenagers have been involved in sending sexts with images.
- More than 50% of adults hesitantly engage in sexting.
- Now, more than 63% of Young men aged 18-29 and 25% of men aged 30-49 are moving toward using sex bots. Due to this, in 2023, the AI Girlfriend market was worth $2.8 billion.
How Common is Sexting?
The practice of sexting has become quite common among the adults aged 18 and above and sexting isn’t considered as a taboo among the people anymore. Around 88% of American adults have reported having sexted in their lifetime and 82.20% reported sexting within the last year itself.
Sexting is a form of communication between romantic partners to increase intimacy and connection and strengthen their relationship. 73.9% of American adults have admitted to sending sexual text messages within a committed relationship.
- 43% of American adults claim to have engaged in sexting during a casual relationship.
- 12.1% of U.S. adults have participated in sexual texting outside of their relationship.
- 95.9% of people in the U.S. are likely to use their smartphone or cell phone for sexting activity.
- 30% of Americans aged 18 and above have stated to engage in sexting activity in a work environment or outside of the home.
- 76.1% of adults are likely to sext from their homes.
Distribution of Adults who have sent, received, or shared a sext in the US (from 2000 to 2023)
There has been a constant growth in the percentage of users involved in sexting from 2000 to 2023. As of 2000, adults aged 19 years and above shared a sext by 5.6% where 2.7% of users have sent a sext and 10.3% received a sext. Meanwhile, in 2023, the numbers took a massive turn as the percentage of sending a sext reached 76.9% and 87.9% received a sext from others. Even though the number of sent and received sexts has increased significantly over the years, especially since 2015, the number of shared sexts has remained low over the years.
Below we have mentioned a detailed table showcasing the number of sent, received, and shared text among Americans from 2000 to 2023:
| Year | Sent sext | Received sext | Shared sext |
| 2000 | 2.7% | 10.3% | 5.6% |
| 2001 | 4.5% | 13.7% | 6.9% |
| 2002 | 5.4% | 15% | 6.6% |
| 2003 | 6.1% | 17% | 6.1% |
| 2004 | 7% | 18.7% | 6.4% |
| 2005 | 7.1% | 18.2% | 6.2% |
| 2006 | 9.4% | 23.9% | 8.1% |
| 2007 | 11% | 28.9% | 9.8% |
| 2008 | 8.5% | 23.5% | 8% |
| 2009 | 8.4% | 28.1% | 9.5% |
| 2010 | 14.6% | 48.8% | 16.6% |
| 2011 | 16% | 49.4% | 16.8% |
| 2012 | 22.1% | 63.4% | 16.8% |
| 2013 | 21.2% | 57.8% | 25.8% |
| 2014 | 14.3% | 33.8% | 15.4% |
| 2015 | 24.7% | 52.4% | 24.3% |
| 2016 | 39.4% | 81% | 23.5% |
| 2017 | 45.6% | 87.4% | 26.1% |
| 2018 | 49.8% | 91.6% | 20% |
| 2019 | 44.9% | 78% | 15.5% |
| 2020 | 57.1% | 79.1% | 18.7% |
| 2021 | 63% | 79.6% | 18.8% |
| 2022 | 68.3% | 82.1% | 19% |
| 2023 | 76.9% | 87.9% | 18.2% |
Sexting Statistics by Generation
Based on a survey conducted in 2022 of online users in the United States, it was revealed that Millennials were the generation with the largest number of adults engaging who have sent sexually explicit messages or images 37% followed by Gen Z in the second position by 20% and Generation X by 19%. Baby Boomers were ranked last in the list by 5%.
Below, we have mentioned a table showcasing the share of respondents in sexting based on generation in 2022.
| Generation | Share of respondents |
| Gen Z | 20% |
| Millennials | 37% |
| Generation X | 19% |
| Baby Boomers | 5% |
Sexting Statistics Among Adults
Sexting is highly common among adults aged 18 and older. Today, most married couples or people in committed relationships consider sexting as a form of digital communication to improve their relationships. Let’s take a look at some of the top sexting statistics among adults:
88% of U.S Adults claim they have sexted once in their life
An online survey was conducted with 870 heterosexual adult participants ranging between the ages of 18 to 82 regarding sexting. It was revealed through this survey that around 88% of U.S Adults have sexted (sent or received sexually explicit messages) at least once in their life along with 82% claiming they had done so last year.
The survey also further revealed that about 74% of participants stated they performed sexting with their partner in a committed relationship. While 43% claimed sexting with a partner in a casual relationship and 12% had sexted someone in a cheating relationship. In addition, the survey conducted also stated that 96% of the participants “endorse” it.
39% of American adults in relationships have stated they engage in sexting activity with their partners
Sexting is no longer considered a taboo among the audience, and many individuals in romantic relationships consider it a common form of communication with their partners. 39% of American adults in romantic relationships have said they have exchanged sexually explicit messages with their partners as they claim it helps strengthen their relationship and increase intimacy and connection between the couple.
34% of college students have stated that they have been involved in sending sexually explicit messages
It is no surprise that a significant amount of college-going students have been involved in sending sexually explicit messages to others. Advanced technology and the accessibility of smartphones among the young audience have increased the possibility of individuals engaging in this activity. Currently, 34% of college students have reported being involved in sexting.
Every 1 in 5 smartphone users claims to utilize the device for sexting purposes
Today, sexting has become a common practice among smartphone users. Nearly 1 in 5 Americans who own a smartphone have been engaged in sexting activity, sharing intimate text messages or explicit images with another person based on a new survey. The age group that has the highest number of individuals sexting is 18 to 34-year-old male users at 32% and 35 to 44-year-old female users at 25%.
1 in 10 smartphone users aged 55 and above have also sexted
Sexting is not only common among the younger audience but smartphone users aged 55 and above have also been involved in sending or receiving sexual messages or images on their smartphones. According to a survey, 1 in 10 smartphone users aged 55 and above have sexted at least once in their life. 30% of the parents who have kids below the age of 18 have sexted.
Sexting Among Married Couples
Around 29% of American married heterosexual couples have reported to have engaged in sexual conversations with their spouses via text messages through their smartphones. Meanwhile, 12% of those heterosexual couples have revealed sending nude images to their partners at some point in time.
| Sexual talks through text messages | Nude images |
| 29% | 12% |
- The study also revealed that 19% of the husbands and around 16% of the wives have revealed sending sexually explicit text messages at least once a week or more.
- Among American married heterosexual couples, 12% of wives and 11% of husbands reported sending sexual messages to their partner once every month.
- Around 5% of husbands and 3% of wives have claimed to send nude images to their partners once a month or more.
Overall, sexting is less common among married couples in comparison to adults in committed relationships. One of the primary reasons behind this could be age as a large section of married individuals are older and less likely to engage in showcasing intimacy through text messages.
Sexting Statistics Among Teenagers
Not only adults, but sexting is also a common practice among teenagers aged between 12 to 17. According to reports, 1 in 4 American teenagers have stated they have been involved in sexting. Let’s take a look at the top sexting statistics among teenagers to understand the impact of sexting among the younger audience.
Share of respondents who have sent sext, received sext, and shared sext (from 2000 to 2023)
Surprisingly, sexting is not an unfamiliar activity among teenagers, especially in the digital world where most teens already own a smartphone and have access to a strong internet connection. In 2000, the percentage of teens that had sent a sext was 1.9%, while the percentage that received a sext was 9.4, and the shared sext was 5.1%. However, with each passing year, the practice has become increasingly common among the younger audience. In 2023, the share of respondents who have sent sexts was 26.5%, the received sext reached 38.2%, and the shared sext percentage extended to 13.0%.
Here is a breakdown of the share of teenagers who have sent sexts, received sexts, and shared text from 2000 to 2023:
| Among teens (11-18) | Sent sext | Received sext | Shared sext |
| 2000 | 1.9% | 9.4% | 5.1% |
| 2001 | 3.2% | 9.8% | 3.8% |
| 2002 | 3.6% | 10.0% | 4.4% |
| 2003 | 3.8% | 10.6% | 3.8% |
| 2004 | 4.1% | 11.0% | 3.7% |
| 2005 | 4.7% | 12.1% | 4.1% |
| 2006 | 5.2% | 13.3% | 4.5% |
| 2007 | 5.8% | 15.2% | 5.2% |
| 2008 | 6.5% | 18.1% | 6.2% |
| 2009 | 7% | 23.4% | 8% |
| 2010 | 7.7% | 25.7% | 8.7% |
| 2011 | 8.4% | 26.0% | 8.8% |
| 2012 | 9.2% | 26.4% | 12% |
| 2013 | 10.1% | 27.5% | 12.3% |
| 2014 | 11.9% | 28.2% | 12.8% |
| 2015 | 13.7% | 29.1% | 13.5% |
| 2016 | 14.6% | 30.0% | 13.8% |
| 2017 | 16.3% | 31.2% | 14.5% |
| 2018 | 17.8% | 32.7% | 11.1% |
| 2019 | 18.7% | 32.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020 | 20.4% | 34.4% | 11.7% |
| 2021 | 22.5% | 34.6% | 11.8% |
| 2022 | 24.4% | 37.3% | 12.7% |
| 2023 | 26.5% | 38.2% | 13.0% |
Teen Sexting Frequency
According to a study by American high school and middle school students with over 5500 students aged between 12 to 17 years 13% have reported sending explicit text messages to others while 18.5% of students have reported receiving a sexually explicit message.
| Sent Sext | Received Sext |
| 13% | 18.5% |
- This study revealed about 17.5% of students were asked to send a sext to someone.
- 12.7% of Male American students between 12 and 17 have reported sending sexually explicit messages to their girlfriend or boyfriend at some point. At the same time, 5.1% reported doing so in the last month.
- 8.5% of American females aged between 12 and 17 have reported being involved in sexting with their boyfriend or girlfriend at some point in their life. 3.3% admitted to doing so in the last month.
- 6.7% of students even reported sexting with someone not their boyfriend or girlfriend.
- 4.8% of male American students have reported that someone shared the information with them without their consent.
1 in 4 American teenagers have reported to be involved in sexting activity
Sexting is a common practice among teenagers as well. According to a study by the Journal of the American Medical Association stated that every 1 in 4 American teenagers have claimed to send a sexually explicit image or text message. Although experts claim sexting is an emerging and common part of sexual development among teenagers it’s important to note that sexting is still considered a felony in 6 states in the US including Georgia, Florida, and Utah. Meanwhile, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Nevada consider sexting a violation, imposing fines, counseling, and community service.
75% of Young People Said Nothing Bad Came of Sexting
According to a survey conducted by Cybersurvey, it was revealed that around 78% of young individuals have tried sexting before and they say they didn’t find any bad consequences in it. Even though nothing bad has turned out for the young audience, the chances of future consequences are still pretty high.
In today’s age, everyone has access to smartphones and the internet including minors. The internet has opened gates for various social media platforms and has raised concerns about various age-inappropriate behaviors and activities such as Sexting. A large section of minors might not think of sexting as an issue or major concern. Still, in reality, there are various risks associated with sexting such as the sharing of images and messages to third persons without consent, causing privacy violations.
40% of female teenagers revealed they have sexted as a joke
According to a report by DoSomething.org, it was revealed that a large number of teenage girls have been engaged in sexting. It also revealed that 40% of the teenage girls claimed that they had sexted before as a joke.
It also revealed that about 17% of the sext recipients shared the images and texts with others while about 55% shared them with multiple people. Young people might not consider sharing images and texts with others as a concern initially; however, it can cause major issues in the future for the sender and affect their reputation.
There were over 7,000 reports of sextortion involving minors in 2022
According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, there were more than 7,000 reports of sextortion involving minors seen by law enforcement agencies in 2022 which resulted in 3,000 who were primarily boys. Few cases ever witnessed victims committing suicide.
The sextortion schemes majorly occur in online platforms where people utilize social media platforms to communicate with young audiences and gain explicit content such as photos and videos from them for financial benefit. Predators often create fake IDs and target minors by becoming overly friendly to gain their trust.
Conclusion
Sexting is a common practice performed among adults at a large scale to overcome relationship challenges between couples and enhance intimacy. Based on the above statistics and surveys conducted by experts it is clear that the number of people engaging in sexting is rising and accepting sexually explicit conversations in the digital form. Although it is common among adults it’s quite a risky activity when it comes to teenagers and should be avoided by anyone below the age of 18 as it causes various risky concerns such as sharing of explicit images or videos of teens without consent.
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Loneliness Statistics Worldwide 2024
Loneliness is an unwelcoming feeling caused by a lack of companionship. Nearly, 1 in 4 adults experience loneliness worldwide. Although many people do not recognize loneliness as a serious concern, it’s important to know its effects can be extreme and wide-ranging. Around 52% of people in the United States are lonely, with young adults aged 18 to 24 being the loneliest. In this article, we will look at loneliness statistics worldwide in 2024 and the latest trends to understand the behavior and risks associated with lonely people. Many people are turning to technology solutions like the AI Girlfriend app or Sexting AI Platforms to combat feelings of loneliness.
Top Loneliness Statistics & Facts
- 52% of the people in the United States experience loneliness.
- One in four young people feels lonely globally.
- Brazil is the leading country with the highest number of people feeling lonely regularly.
- Young adults aged 18 to 24 are the loneliest age group.
- 65% of the parents and guardians are experiencing loneliness compared to non-parents 55%.
- Old adults aged 65 and above are the age group with the lowest number of lonely people.
- Social media usage is linked with increased feelings of loneliness.
- 77% of people who have poor physical health are lonely.
Distribution of feeling Loneliness among adults 2021 by Country
A global survey conducted in 2021 revealed that 33% of individuals worldwide feel lonely. Brazil is the leading country with 50% of people feeling lonely often regularly, while 28% of people hardly or never feel lonely. Turkey is ranked second in the list with 46% of people experiencing loneliness and India is in the third position with 43% of people experiencing loneliness. The survey also revealed that the Netherlands, Germany, Japan, and Russia were among the countries with the highest share of people who didn’t feel lonely.
Here is a breakdown of the countries with the highest number of respondents feeling lonely among adults:
| Countries | Often/Always feel lonely/ Some of the times | Hardly/Never feel lonely |
| Brazil | 50% | 28% |
| Turkey | 46% | 32% |
| India | 43% | 27% |
| Saudi Arabia | 43% | 37% |
| Italy | 41% | 29% |
| South Africa | 40% | 28% |
| Malaysia | 39% | 21% |
| South Korea | 38% | 28% |
| Chile | 38% | 37% |
| Peru | 37% | 35% |
| France | 36% | 39% |
| Argentina | 35% | 38% |
| Mexico | 34% | 40% |
| Great Britain | 34% | 39% |
| Global Average | 33% | 37% |
| Canada | 31% | 36% |
| United States | 31% | 41% |
| Singapore | 30% | 36% |
| Australia | 30% | 42% |
| Hungary | 29% | 49% |
| Belgium | 28% | 38% |
| Spain | 27% | 42% |
| Germany | 26% | 50% |
| China | 26% | 27% |
| Sweden | 25% | 42% |
| Russia | 25% | 49% |
| Poland | 23% | 38% |
| Japan | 16% | 48% |
| Netherlands | 15% | 55% |
Source: Statista
Share of individuals worldwide reporting feelings of loneliness in 2022
A survey was conducted in 2022 in 16 countries to understand the loneliness among people based on age group. It was revealed that young adults aged 18 to 24 were most likely to feel lonely by 59% and reported negative effects on wellbeing from feelings of loneliness. Age groups 25 to 34 were the second highest share of respondents that experienced loneliness. Surprisingly, older adults aged 65 and above had the lowest share of respondents experiencing loneliness, at 22%.
Below, we have mentioned a table showcasing the negative effects of well-being by loneliness reported by people in 2022:
| Age Group | Share of respondents |
| 18 to 24 | 59% |
| 25 to 34 | 54% |
| 35 to 44 | 47% |
| 45 to 54 | 39% |
| 55 to 64 | 32% |
| 65 and older | 22% |
Source: Statista
Distribution of People Feeling Lonely Worldwide by Gender
The percentage reporting loneliness men and women face is pretty much the same. According to a survey, 24% of men and women have reported feeling extremely lonely globally. Although, there are countries where the rate of self-reported loneliness is much higher for women in comparison to men.
Below, we have mentioned a table showcasing loneliness reported by people based on Gender:
| Gender | Very/Fairly lonely | A little lonely | Not at all lonely |
| Men | 24% | 27% | 49% |
| Women | 24% | 27% | 49% |
Although the statistics between men and women are relatively equal regarding loneliness. It is stated that men are a little more likely to report feeling lonely compared to women. Meanwhile, some of the circumstances reported by women for feeling loneliness are as follows:
- Chronic Diseases
- Widowhood
- Living alone away from family
- Some sort of Disability
One in Four Young People in the World Feels Lonely
A survey conducted across 142 countries revealed that around 24% of people aged 15 and above reported feeling very lonely or fairly lonely upon asking, “How lonely do you feel?”
The share of respondents with the highest percentage of loneliness was surprisingly young adults between the ages of 19 and 29 (27%). Meanwhile, the older individuals were reportedly less lonely than the young audience. The lowest percentage of respondents experiencing loneliness was those between 65 and above. The survey conducted was an excellent reminder that loneliness is not an issue caused by aging and it can affect anyone regardless of a person’s age.
Here is a breakdown of the loneliness statistics based on Age group:
| Age Group | Very/Fairly lonely | A little lonely | Not at all lonely |
| 15 to 18 | 25% | 30% | 45% |
| 19 to 29 | 27% | 30% | 43% |
| 30 to 44 | 25% | 27% | 48% |
| 45 to 64 | 22% | 25% | 53% |
| 65 and above | 17% | 25% | 57% |
The study, “The Global State of Social Connections,” was conducted by Gallup and Meta to understand the loneliness faced by people. The global results indicate that young adults aged 19 to 29 are the largest age group, experiencing loneliness by 27%, followed by teenagers aged 15 to 18 and adults 30 to 44 years old, who experience equal levels of loneliness by 25%. Apparently, older adults 65 and above have the lowest ratio in terms of loneliness (17%). 57% of old adults do not feel lonely at all.
Loneliness Statistics in USA
- 52% of Americans report feeling lonely
- 47% of Americans report their relationships with others are not meaningful
- 57% Single or not, 57% of Americans report eating all meals alone
- 59% of Americans say they have a best friend, but 12% say they feel they don’t have any close friends.
- Las Vegas, Washington, D.C., and Denver are the three loneliest cities in the U.S. Loneliness is 3 times higher than the national average in those cities.
- Wyoming is the loneliest state of all per capita.
- Wisconsin is the least lonely state in America per capita.
- 58% of Americans sometimes or always feel like no one knows them well.
- 61% of all U.S. adults reported feeling lonely, which is up 7% from last year
Percent of U.S. adults who are lonely, shown as demographics:
- Gen Z: 79%
- Millennials: 71%
- Boomers: 50%
- Men: 46%
- Women: 45%
Loneliness Statistics By Race
Race can also play a primary role in unique ways that can make a person feel lonely. Reports suggest that racial minorities can often lead to a person feeling lonely significantly. Here are some of the loneliness statistics by race:
- A study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, suggests that Black Americans are more likely to feel lonely in comparison to white Americans. 44% of Black adults in the U.S. have reported feeling lonely while 37% of white adults have stated feeling lonely.
- According to a study by Cigna, it is reported that Hispanic or Latino people have a higher rate of feeling lonely in comparison to non-Hispanic individuals. Some of the common reasons behind Hispanic or Latino people feeling more lonely can be caused by discrimination, language barriers, and lack of social support.
- Similar to Hispanic or Latino people, Asian Americans are also likely to feel more lonely due to various cultural aspects like collectivism. According to a study conducted by the National Asian American Survey, it was revealed that Asian Americans who are facing discrimination have a higher chance of reporting loneliness.
It’s highly important to address loneliness faced by people across all different aspects including racial groups to highlight essential needs and challenges faced by the people. By recognizing the differences and discrimination people face, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and supportive space for all communities.
Loneliness Statistics by Income
Income can play a significant role in a person’s life and influence loneliness at a large scale. Reports suggest that people who earn more are more likely to spend time alone and experience loneliness. However, many good-earning individuals don’t feel lonely daily despite spending most of their time working and less socializing with close ones.
Instead, individuals with lower incomes are reported to be lonely compared to people with higher incomes, regardless of socializing more. 10% of people earning less than $40,000 yearly are likely to feel lonely most days, while 5% report feeling lonely all the time.
People earning $80,000 or higher yearly are less likely to feel lonely as only 3% report feeling lonely.
Overall, income does play a crucial role in determining whether a person is feeling lonely or not.
Parents and Guardians More Likely to Be Lonely than Non-Parents
A Poll was conducted during the pandemic by KFF Health Tracking to study the negative mental health impacts of adults and it was found that households with children are more likely to experience loneliness compared to non-parents in general. In addition, it was also revealed that mothers were more likely to experience mental health issues and loneliness compared to fathers. Below, we have mentioned statistics showcasing loneliness faced by parents and non-parents:
- Reports show that 65% of the parents and guardians are experiencing loneliness, which is 10% higher compared to non-parents (55%).
- 42% of parents experiencing loneliness are more likely to feel a sense of being left out compared to 24% of non-parents experiencing loneliness.
- 69% of mothers experience loneliness which is 7% higher in terms of fathers who experience loneliness by 62%.
- 77% of single parents particularly struggle with loneliness.
Family Connections Impact Feelings of Loneliness
There is no surprise that family relationships can have a major impact on people experiencing loneliness. People who deal with loneliness are less likely to share or discuss their emotions and feelings with others or go for support from their family members or close people.
- 34% of adults have reported feeling “quite a bit” while talking to their family members or families regarding their feelings or emotions, which is half the rate of non-lonely people (68%).
- 65% of the parents or guardians experiencing loneliness might have stronger family support compared to non-parents who are lonely. Half of the lonely parents stated their family has supported them in life compared to 43% of non-parents experiencing loneliness.
- 45% of lonely adults stated their family has supported them in life compared to 78% of non-lonely adults.
Physical and Mental Health Associated with Loneliness
According to research, people suffering from poor physical or mental health have shown more signs of experiencing loneliness in their lives. It doesn’t state that one issue is a reason for another but instead, it suggests that there are associations between physical and mental health with loneliness.
- People suffering from any physical health problems are about 50% more likely to experience loneliness in comparison to people with stable or good physical health.
- 77% of people who have fair or poor physical health are lonely. Half of the people (50%) who have good or excellent physical health are encountering loneliness; this showcases a difference of 27% among people with different physical health.
- Adults who are classified as lonely are more likely to be diagnosed with a range of health issues such as weight problems, sleeping disorders, substance use, and more.
- Americans with mental health issues are twice as likely to encounter loneliness compared to those with good or strong mental health.
- 1 in 4 adults are classified as having poor mental health and among these 85% are experiencing loneliness compared to 42% of adults with good mental health.
- 1 in 3 lonely adults (33%) is diagnosed with medical treatment for mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and more.
Impact of loneliness in the workplace
Loneliness can cause a considerable change in the employee’s behavior such as lower productivity, decline in performance, lack of engagement with others, and more. Data showed that lonely employees are twice as likely to issue sick leave compared at work to non-lonely adults. The report also suggests that lonely employees are 5 times more likely to miss work due to stress issues than non-lonely people. They are also three times more likely to admit they are less productive than other employees.
- Loneliness can become a hurdle in an employee’s productivity. 47% of the lonely employees reported they can work efficiently and best with the best abilities compared to two-thirds of the non-lonely employees who are 64% likely to work efficiently with excellent abilities.
- 42% of employees encountering loneliness say they feel they are “mentally somewhere else” while working compared to non-lonely workers (18%).
- People experiencing loneliness have a higher chance of feeling dissatisfied with their job. Lonely employees are 3 times more likely to stay unhappy with their job by 21% compared to non-lonely workers who are experiencing dissatisfaction with their job by 7%.
- 3 in 10 employees suffering from loneliness stated they are not feeling well while working in the past 3 months compared to 14% of non-lonely workers.
- Lonely employees are more likely to report that their physical, emotional, and mental health barged into their working space and affected their performance. Nearly 1 in 5 lonely employees stated their mental health was causing major interference in their work within the last month alone.
Sexting as a coping mechanism for loneliness:
In the digital age, as loneliness prevails among various age groups, many turn to the internet for connection. One prevalent activity is sexting, which can be a double-edged sword. While it may provide a temporary feeling of connection and intimacy, it’s crucial to understand its implications fully.
AI Girlfriend as a solution to loneliness
With advancing technology, artificial intelligence offers new ways to combat loneliness. The concept of an AI girlfriend, which simulates emotional and conversational interactions, is gaining popularity. This technology aims to provide companionship without the complexities of human relationships.
Conclusion
The percentage of individuals experiencing loneliness is pretty high with nearly 1 in 4 young adults worldwide feeling lonely. Although anyone can experience loneliness regardless of their age group, various aspects such as demographics, physical health, mental health, financial status, and more can have a significant role in whether a person is feeling lonely or not. Above we have mentioned top statistics on loneliness to provide you with a better understanding of its impact and challenges.
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