Some people have higher social needs than others, which means they may want to have a greater number of friends. Those who value their alone time may need fewer friends, and that's OK too. In general, based on 2021 survey data, the average person in America has between 3 and 5 close friends.
According to a 2004 Gallup poll, Americans have an average of 8-9 close friends. More specifically: 2% have no close friends. 14% have 1-2 close friends.
Research suggests that the number of close friends we need to feel that we have enough is somewhere between three and five. Not only that, but adults with four or five friends enjoy the highest levels of life satisfaction and those with three close friends are not far behind.
Dunbar says 150 for simplicity, but really, it's a range between 100 and 250, depending on several factors. Dunbar: One is obviously personality.
Obviously, most people don't meet all of their friends during childhood and, unfortunately, not all friendships last forever. The poll found that the average friendship lasts for 17 years, however, 17 percent say they've had the same best friend for over 30 years!
However, introverts don't need a wide circle of friends. They prefer one or two close friends, even though they may know many people and have many acquaintances. Despite this preference, introverts are often criticized for not attempting to make more friends, and are often viewed as lacking social skills.
There's no “right” number of friends you should have, but research says most people have between 3 and 5 close friends. Friendship is necessary, but it can feel challenging to find people who really “get” you. What's more, what you need from your friends might change as your life circumstances change.
In the words of motivational speaker Jim Rohn: “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” The people you spend the most time with shape who you are. They determine what conversations dominate your attention.
But would you believe me if I told you that every seven years we go through a pretty profound change? Not only are you likely in a very different place in your life, but a study shows that there's a good chance you've replaced half of your closest friends with new ones.
According to new research, we make just 29 real friends in our lifetime and only six of them last the distance. A study, which charted the social lives of 2,000 people, showed that we lose touch with almost half of the friends that we make.
Experts suggest seeing your friends at least once a week, if not more! Having good friends not only increases life expectancy but it also reduces stress and depression and can have a good influence on your health too.
Crucially, the study discovered that the maximum number of 'connections' for men and women peaked around the age of 25 years old. In other words: the number of friends (or 'connections') you had at 25 is the most you will ever have and they all then steadily decrease for men and women.
In your 30s and 40s, a small, tight-knit group is optimal. Having three to five close friends allows for paired activities (tandem biking, charades), as well as intimate group outings (movie nights, wine tastings, group discount rates).
The average age of a group of 4 friends is 36 years.
Majorities of teens have a close friend of a different gender or a different race or ethnicity. Fully 98% of teens say they have one or more close friends: 78% say they have between one and five close friends, while 20% have six or more close friends.
Well, as it turns out, besties – much alike regular friendships – are fleeting. In fact, new research conducted by The Book Of Everyone has found that most women will have six over the span of her lifetime. The study established these friendships last for 16 years on average.
One of the concepts he discussed was “the average of 5”, a rule that states that you become the average of the five people you spend the most time with. For example, if you constantly hang out with negative people, you will ultimately find yourself becoming a negative person too.
Even if the age of the 4th friend is added, the average remains 23.
Having around 3-5 really close friends should be enough for most of us in our 30's. If you are in a stable relationship, having two other couples you meet once a week or every other week can be enough.
While it is sad to think about losing friends as we get older, losing friends in your 20s, 30s, 40s, and even 50s is perfectly normal. In fact, it's even regarded as healthy and shows that you're maturing. So when does this friend drop-off point occur? Studies show that we begin to lose friends in our mid-twenties.
Around one-third to one-half of all people in the U.S. are introverts. Though it looks different in everyone, introverts have many of the same patterns of behavior.
People are attracted to loyal and devoted people. While introverts may not always realize it, this is a trait most people find attractive in them. Their loyalty isn't just attractive to the recipients of that devotion, but to anyone who observes them.
Studies show that introverts are one-third to half of the U.S. population, meaning Cain may be at the forefront of a quiet revolution of the 50%. “People have been waiting for the permission to articulate these things,” Cain told me in a video interview. “Now that they have it, there's going to be a groundswell.