Research

Studies, surveys, and data about the friendship recession. I collect the numbers that show what's happening to our social lives: loneliness statistics, health impacts, demographic breakdowns, and trends over time. If you want to understand the full scope of the problem — before figuring out what to do about it — start here.

• What Harvard Gets Right (and Wrong) About the Friendship Recession

  Research Mar 26, 2026
• Who's Actually Lonely in America? The Data Might Surprise You

  Research Jan 19, 2026
• Men's Friendship Recession: The Statistics and Real Solutions

  Men's Friendships Jan 5, 2026
• The Male Friendship Crisis: What the Data Really Shows

  Men's Friendships Dec 22, 2025
• The Friendship Divide: Why Your Education Level Affects Your Social Life

  Making Friends Dec 8, 2025
• Why Is the Loneliness Epidemic So Hard to Cure?

  Research Sep 5, 2024
• Why Texting Your Friends Isn't Enough

  Research Jul 15, 2024
• Men Used to Write Love Letters to Their Friends

  Research Jul 22, 2023
• Are You Experiencing a Friendship Recession?

  Research Apr 25, 2023
• The Friendship Recession (Richard Reeves)

  Research Apr 24, 2023