the stats may be similar[and you can safely assume that 2018's number will double to flow with the others], the main reason it still feels emptier is because no one talks to each other anymore.
and the few times people do, it almost always seemed hostile.
which is why i don't play, at all.
if i wanted to talk to someone only for them to be passive aggressive to me, i'd just go on a garry's mod server or second life. at least there i'd be hearing a squeaky voice.