💑 Relationships
Do I have enough close friends?
See how your number of close friends compares to research.
People you would call at 2am in an emergency
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Am I spending too much on dates?
💑RelationshipsDo we spend enough time together?
💑RelationshipsDo we fight too much?
💑RelationshipsIs my relationship healthy?
💑RelationshipsDo I get enough vacation?
💼CareerDo I spend too much on vacations?
🌟LifestyleIs my vocabulary big enough?
🎓EducationAm I paying too much at the vet?
🐾PetsHow many close friends is normal?
The loneliness epidemic is real. According to a 2024 APA survey, 1 in 4 adults say they have zero close friends. The average has dropped from 3 close friends in the 1990s to about 2 today.
Close friends by age (Pew/Gallup/Survey Center on American Life)
- 18–29: Average 3.5 close friends, 17% report zero
- 30–44: Average 2.5, 22% report zero
- 45–64: Average 2.2, 25% report zero
- 65+: Average 2.0, 27% report zero
Dunbar's Number — the science of friendship capacity
- 5: Intimate support group (closest friends/family)
- 15: Best friends (sympathy group)
- 50: Close friends
- 150: Meaningful contacts (Dunbar's number)
- 500: Acquaintances
Why friendship matters
Having 3+ close friends is associated with 2x higher life satisfaction. Loneliness carries the health risk equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Quality matters far more than quantity — 2 great friends beats 10 acquaintances.