The business of loneliness

While career opportunities and luxurious lifestyles have long lured professionals from across the globe, forging genuine connections has become particularly challenging for many living in the emirate.

The transient nature of expat life, coupled with the intense focus on professional success, have created fertile ground for feelings of isolation.

The loneliness epidemic is not exclusive to Dubai, but rather, it is a growing global problem. A 2023 study carried out in more than 140 countries last year found that almost a quarter of the world feels lonely, meaning that over 1 billion people are grappling with this problem.

In Dubai, some savvy entrepreneurs have stepped up to bridge the connection gap. From meticulously curated social events fostering cultural exchange to personalised matchmaking services prioritising meaningful connections, both romantic and platonic, a wave of innovative solutions is emerging to rewrite the narrative of Dubai’s social landscape.

‘Nobody stands alone’

For many expats arriving in the emirate, the initial thrill of a new adventure can quickly give way to feelings of disconnect. Enter InterNations, a global platform fostering communities in 400 cities worldwide, including Dubai.

“Members have told us that [Dubai] is a very competitive place where people work long hours. Expats usually come here for a job, they are often far away from family and friends at home and don’t have any social contacts when they arrived,” said InterNations Chief Marketing Offer, Kathrin Chudoba.

Under their event motto “nobody stands alone,” Chudoba said that addressing loneliness is exactly what the platform sets out to do. “One member recently told us that she has found her little expat family in Dubai through InterNations and feels very much at home.”

According to InterNations’ annual Expat Insider survey, Dubai ranks very high for career-related topics but not so well for work-life balance. And although Dubai is among the top 10 cities in the world for leisure options like dining and culture, expats rate topics like finding friends and feeling at home slightly lower.

Even major C-level executives cite loneliness as their top concern, Dubai-based career coach Noona Nafousi said in a recent interview on the AB Majlis podcast.

“The good thing is that there are plenty of opportunities out there. And even if your main reason for relocating is a job, it is important to not neglect your social life,” added Chudoba.

The CMO noted that unlike other expat destinations, those moving to Dubai for work are not being sent by their employers, but are instead willingly choosing to relocate.

“We see a decrease in traditional expat assignments. People… take matters into their own hands and specifically look for jobs in Dubai,” she said.

“The share of people who relocate for financial reasons or in order to start their own business is also higher in Dubai than when looking at the global average.”

There is a wide variety of InterNations events in the emirate, with a few to pick from every day or night of the week. For a monthly fee of AED50 (one-year membership), expats can attend official events and activities, and connect with others on the platform.

Over the years, Dubai has become one of the platform’s most successful communities due to its large expat population, registering an almost 90 percent growth in the number of members since 2020.

“Loneliness can be an engulfing feeling, and you start building up barriers in your head. It’s always possible to tear them down, but it’s easier if they don’t grow tall in the first place,” said Chudoba.

“From my personal experience, I can say that no matter where you are in the world, there is always someone you can connect with. You just need to find them.”

Solving the ‘connection crisis’

Dubai Matchmaker Christiana Maxion believes that modern day expat life has become synonymous with a “connection crisis.” Endless swiping and superficial conversations that almost never end up in in-person meetups have left singles feeling more disillusioned and disconnected than ever.

Many of her clients have expressed that loneliness was among their top concerns and face difficulties in “weeding out the time-wasters,” leading them to feel let down quite often.

“As an expat, you might experience proximity settling and form relationships with people you work with or live near you, rather than have true compatibility with – which can feel really lonely,” said Maxion.

“Many others, maybe working in isolating circumstances… struggle to really find the kind of tribe they were used to at home. A lot of trial-and-error relationships are formed and failed, which makes the process long and tiring.”

Through her recently launched dating app, MAXION, users can enjoy having their social time specifically curated for them and “true compatibility matches” through the use of technology. The app emphasises in-person dates and meetups and this is made possible with the help of restaurant tech company Seven Rooms.

“We are combatting ghosting too with feedback provided after dates that helps people gain direction whilst also perfecting the compatibility process,” Maxion added.

Singles events organiser Paul Hart, founder of Mingle Dxb, says he understands the specific challenges faced by Dubai’s singles. Born from a need to socially interact with others after COVID, Mingle Dxb launched in Dubai just over two years ago and has since seen interest in its monthly dating events grow exponentially.

With most people being career-focused and often travelling for work, they eventually find themselves in social circles dominated by couples once they reach a certain age.

“At Mingle Dxb we do get lots of feedback that people struggle to meet other people,” he said.

To help singles make new connections, he hosts tailored events exclusively for singles looking for a relaxed atmosphere where icebreakers and friendly facilitators make introductions easier.

Mingle Dxb hosts at least one event each month for people to just meet and socialise. To ensure that people are making meaningful, long-lasting connections, be it in the form of friendships or more, tourists are not encouraged to attend.

“I feel Mingle Dxb really caters towards people who are lonely,” said Hart. “It’s a great way to alleviate loneliness, not just from a romantic point of view, but also just from a friendship point of view.”

The event company now has “too many success stories to count” where people have made friends and now socialise outside of these events. Romantically, Hart’s speed dating concept has resulted in great success stories of long-term relationships.