Everyone’s friendship circle looks different. Some people thrive in large groups; others feel happiest with just one or two close companions. But have you ever wondered how many friends people actually have? Is there such a thing as the “right” number of friends?
The data tells a surprising story. And best of all, the research shows that you don’t need a huge circle to feel fulfilled. Just a few meaningful connections are enough.
Let’s explore what some studies say about friendship numbers, what counts as a “close friend,” and why the quality of your friendships matters far more than quantity.
According to the YouGov Friendship Study, 43% of Britons have between four and ten good friends. That means nearly half of the population is sitting comfortably with just a handful of close friends.
The same study also found that 26% of Britons have friends they’ve never met in person, often due to making friends online and having long-distance friendships.
Friendship today looks very different from how it did 10 or 20 years ago. Your closest confidant could live next door, or on the other side of the world.
A 2016 study by Aalto University found that we reach “peak friendships” around age 25, after which our circle of friends gradually shrinks. This isn’t because we stop caring, it’s often driven by life changes, such as:
Moving home.
Starting/changing careers.
Having children.
Shifting priorities.
Less free time.
More responsibilities.
But here’s the important part: the study also found that the quality of friendships often increases with age, even if the overall number decreases.
A study published in BMC Public Health found that friendship quality, not quantity, is strongly associated with better wellbeing, life satisfaction, and self-esteem.Â
Maintaining and strengthening the friendships you already have should be a priority.
There’s no magic number. However, research suggests that we need just a small number of close relationships to feel deeply connected.
The Social Connection Guidelines evidence brief suggests that having around 4 close friendships is enough to reduce loneliness and improve life satisfaction meaningfully.
Beyond that, having additional friendships can enrich your life, but they are unlikely to change your overall wellbeing significantly.
You don’t need a giant circle of friends. You need a small, consistent group.
Think about the people you turn to when:
You’re stressed.
You need advice.
You achieved something great.
You feel overwhelmed.
You need to laugh.
The people you turn to are your “core” friends, the ones who contribute the most to your overall happiness and resilience.
Friendships that matter most tend to have:
Trust and openness.
Emotional safety.
Regular communication.
Shared history.
Mutual support.
A sense of fun and comfort.
A quality friendship is with someone you can be yourself with. Wholly and unapologetically.
Even though most people only need a small circle, maintaining even four friendships can feel challenging.
Factors that make it difficult include:
Busy schedules.
Forgetting to check in.
Difficulty keeping track.
Long distance.
Anxiety around reaching out.
Life transitions.
Staying intentional is so important. Friendships can fade not because we don’t care, but because we don’t plan and make time for them.
Â
If you struggle to remember when you last caught up or feel guilty about drifting apart from people you care about, SoonCall can help.
With SoonCall, you can:
Log your catchups, so you know when you last spoke.
Set reminders to stay in touch.
Keep notes on what you discussed.
Track birthdays and key dates so you never forget.
See who you haven’t spoken to for a while and plan in a catchup.
SoonCall isn’t about making more friends. We’re here to help you stay connected to the ones who matter most.
There is no magic number. You might have one close friend, or ten good ones. What matters most is making a commitment to nurture the relationships that bring you joy, comfort, and meaning.
In a world where more and more people feel disconnected, even a single deep friendship can make all the difference.
Remember: You don’t need more friends, you need to stay connected to the right ones.
Our mobile app is now available on iOS! Scan the QR code, or visit the App Store to download.
