The idea of retiring abroad is attracting more and more people around the world. A warmer climate, a lower cost of living and a better quality of life are among the main reasons why retirees leave their home country to settle elsewhere. However, this adventure presents social risks that are often overlooked, notably that of loneliness. According to one study, expatriate retirees are more likely to experience social or emotional loneliness.
Expatriate retirees: a growing phenomenon
The study conducted by Esma Betül Savaş and her colleagues at the Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI) highlights that the phenomenon of international retiree migration is booming, particularly in Europe, the USA and Japan.
Dutch retirees, for example, are choosing to live in warmer or more economically affordable countries, such as Spain, Mexico or Malaysia, in search of a more agreeable lifestyle. However, this migration is not without consequences.
Social versus emotional loneliness
The study distinguishes two types of loneliness: emotional loneliness, linked to the lack of intimate relationships such as a partner or best friend, and social loneliness, which results from the absence of a wider social circle and a sense of community. Generally speaking, expatriate retirees experience higher levels of social loneliness than those who have remained in their country of origin. This is mainly due to the difficulty of establishing meaningful new relationships in a foreign country.
In contrast, levels of emotional loneliness are not significantly different between migrants and non-migrants, mainly because many retirees move abroad with their spouses. However, migrants who have lost contact with close friends or children since leaving show high levels of emotional and social loneliness.
The difficulty of maintaining ties for expatriate retirees
Loss of contact with family members, especially adult children, is one of the main factors increasing the risk of emotional loneliness. The lack of regular visits or physical contact makes emotional support difficult to maintain. What’s more, long-standing friendships forged in the home country become more complex to maintain when distance is a major obstacle.
Social integration therefore plays a key role in reducing social loneliness. Retired expatriates who succeed in forging links with their neighbors and developing a sense of belonging to their new country report less social loneliness. This shows that creating a new social network is possible, but often difficult, especially for those who don’t speak the local language.
Recommendations for retirees considering expatriation
For those considering spending their retirement abroad, it is essential to consider the potential impact of this change of life on their social well-being. It is advisable to maintain regular contact with their home country, whether with close friends or family members, while working to integrate fully into their new community. Savas also points out that moving abroad with a partner appears to be a protective factor against emotional loneliness.
Retirement abroad can bring an enhanced quality of life, but it also presents challenges in terms of social isolation. Retirees need to be aware of the risks and take steps to foster their integration while maintaining their original relationships. The research by Savas and colleagues highlights the importance of considering these aspects to ensure that this new stage of life is truly a “paradise” rather than a dream shattered by loneliness.
Expatriate retirees in France
In 2022, 1,087,595 of the 15,049,171 French retirees (those receiving a basic pension under the general scheme) were living in a foreign country.
credits : l’Assurance Retraite
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