So if you’re feeling a bit … disconnected from your fellow humans, you might consider taking a few tips from Mongolians.

In a new Gallup report for The Global State of Social Connections, people in 142 countries were asked to rate their “social connectedness” – defined as “how close you feel to people emotionally.” The word “people” was given a broad definition: family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, people from groups you’re part of … and strangers. So pretty much … everybody. Most countries did well. Overall, seven out of 10 people around the globe said they were “very” or “fairly” connected.

But Mongolians were the most connected of all. Mongolia beat out Kosovo, Taiwan and Bosnia and Herzegovina among other top contenders to be named the most socially connected, with 95% of Mongolians reporting feeling very and fairly connected to other people. The highest rates of social connection for men – 95% – and women – 94% – were also in Mongolia.

Having reported from Mongolia in 2017, I was curious and reached out to some Mongolians. They were not surprised to be at the top of the list.

I had wondered if this high rate of social connection had something to do with their housing arrangements. Traditionally Mongolians have lived in gers, round felt tents covered in weatherproof canvas that suit a nomadic lifestyle. (Outsiders often use the word “yurt” instead.) There are a number of rules regarding gers, from how to enter (women step to the east and men to the west) to where to sit and which side the door should be on (the southern so it faces the sun and lets in light).

Even in the crowded Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar with its high rises and coffee shops, whole ger neighborhoods still exist. Finding your way in one of these neighborhoods is another thing entirely, at least it was when I was trying to locate a particular ger for a story in 2017. There are no street names or grid layouts, making maps and GPS basically useless. Instead, you have to rely on people to direct you. Social connections instead of Siri.

This connectedness extends to neighbors and even entire towns and provinces. Those living in Ulaanbaatar like Shiilegdamba often maintain this sense of community, returning to their hometown most summers to take a break from their busy city lives and visit extended family, she explains.

A 2023 report on behaviors among Mongolian yurt dwellers in China in the journal Buildings takes it a step further. According to the study, Mongolian spiritual beliefs originate from the form and atmosphere of the yurt or ger and influence behavior and values. The circular and dome shape of the ger serves as a symbol of the combination of religion and life while also concentrating people’s spirits, according to the report. The Mongolians studied living in gers showed higher rates of satisfaction than those living in urban housing, a finding the authors relate to the Mongolian emphasis on nature and freedom.