UK Friendship survey 2021 and USA friendship survey 2021
2021 YouGov Friendship Study:
7% of Britons stated they have no close friends.
This figure increased to 9% for those over 40.
Other findings from the study:
A quarter (28%) of Britons across all ages said they had no one they would call a best friend.
Over one in ten (15%) said they had no close friends. Nearly one in ten (8%) of Brits say they simply have no friends at all.
Loneliness and social isolation:
The British Red Cross research suggests that millions of people in the UK are suffering from loneliness and social isolation.
Impact of COVID-19:
The coronavirus pandemic has led to some Britons becoming distanced from close friends.
20% of Britons have become distanced from close friends due to the pandemic.
40% of Britons report losing contact with some of their friends since the pandemic started.
Difficulty making new friends:
51% of Britons find it difficult to make new friends.
In a 2021 survey, 12% of Americans reported having no close friends, up from 3% in the 1990s, indicating a rise in those who feel socially isolated.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Rise in "Friendless" Americans:
The percentage of Americans reporting having no close friends has increased significantly, rising from 3% in 1990 to 12% in 2021.
Shift in Friendship Dynamics:
Alongside the rise in those with no close friends, there's been a decrease in Americans reporting having 10 or more close friends (from 33% in 1990 to 13% in 2021), with a corresponding increase in those stating they have between one to four close friends.
Potential Contributing Factors:
Several factors may contribute to these trends, including later marriages, increased geographic mobility, changes in family dynamics, and longer working hours.
Focus on Quality over Quantity:
Some argue that the shift towards smaller friend groups reflects a focus on quality over quantity in friendships, and that the pandemic may have also played a role in these changes.
Importance of Close Friendships:
Despite these trends, a significant portion of Americans still value close friendships, with 61% of adults saying that having close friends is extremely or very important for living a fulfilling life.
Friendlessness
In a 2021 survey, 12% of Americans reported having no close friends, up from 3% in the 1990s, indicating a rise in those who feel socially isolated.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Rise in "Friendless" Americans:The percentage of Americans reporting having no close friends has increased significantly, rising from 3% in 1990 to 12% in 2021.
Shift in Friendship Dynamics:Alongside the rise in those with no close friends, there's been a decrease in Americans reporting having 10 or more close friends (from 33% in 1990 to 13% in 2021), with a corresponding increase in those stating they have between one to four close friends.
Potential Contributing Factors:Several factors may contribute to these trends, including later marriages, increased geographic mobility, changes in family dynamics, and longer working hours.
Focus on Quality over Quantity:Some argue that the shift towards smaller friend groups reflects a focus on quality over quantity in friendships, and that the pandemic may have also played a role in these changes.
Importance of Close Friendships:
Despite these trends, a significant portion of Americans still value close friendships, with 61% of adults saying that having close friends is extremely or very important for living a fulfilling life.
Friendlessness is not the way forward. You cannot beat a good chat with a friend from the same level as you.
If you would like more informatiotn about this or loneliness recovery please sign up for our free monthly newsletter at thechitterchatterclub.co.uk
Comments