Zurich Study Shock: Orphanage Children Live 12 Years Less

A new study from University of Zurich has revealed concerning long-term effects on individuals who grew up in childcare institutions in Switzerland.

According to the research, people who were placed in orphanages during childhood—particularly in the 1950s—lived on average up to 12 years less than those raised in family environments.

Researchers highlight that the primary cause behind this difference is not physical care, but emotional deprivation. Although children in institutions received adequate medical attention and basic physical care, they lacked stable emotional bonds, affection, and consistent developmental support.

In many cases, children spent most of their day alone, with limited interaction with caregivers—sometimes less than one hour per day. This isolation was largely due to institutional practices aimed at preventing disease transmission.

The study analyzed data from 830 individuals. More than half of the participants had grown up in childcare institutions between 1958 and 1961, while the rest were raised in family settings.

Findings showed that premature deaths before the age of 40 were approximately twice as common among those raised in institutions compared to those raised in families.