For Journalists & Researchers

I'm Nick Gray. I write about the friendship recession, loneliness, and how adults make and keep friends. I'm the author of The 2-Hour Cocktail Party and the founder of Museum Hack. I've spent years collecting the research on this site.

If you're working on a story about the friendship recession, loneliness, men's friendships, or community building, I'm happy to help. I can give quotes, point you to the right data, or talk through the trends on a call. Use the stats below freely, and email me if you want something custom.

Fast facts you can cite

• 12% of Americans have no close friends, up from 3% in 1990.

  Source: Survey Center on American Life, 2021 · see the full breakdown

• 37% drop in time spent with friends between 2014 and 2023.

  Source: American Time Use Survey · see the full breakdown

• 1 in 5 single men report having no close friends.

  Source: PBS NewsHour, 2024 · see the full breakdown

• 50% drop in men with six or more close friends, 1990 to 2021.

  Source: Survey Center on American Life, 2021 · see the full breakdown

• 30% of adults 18-34 feel lonely several times a week.

  Source: American Psychological Association, 2024 · see the full breakdown

• Weekly in-person contact predicts better health (13,000-person study).

  Source: University of British Columbia, 2024 · see the full breakdown

About Nick Gray

Nick Gray is the author of The 2-Hour Cocktail Party, a guide to building friendships through small gatherings. He founded Museum Hack and has been featured for his work on hosting, connection, and the modern friendship crisis. He lives in Austin, Texas.

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