Having a small friend group is more common than you might think. While the average number of close friends for adults is around 5, plenty of people have fewer. Let’s discuss the factors that influence friend group size and whether having just 1 or 2 close friends is cause for concern.
What’s Considered a “Normal” Number of Friends?
There’s no magic number for how many friends you should have. Friendships take time and emotional energy to maintain, so each person can only sustain so many close connections. Research shows:
- The average number of close friends for adults is 5.
- 10% of people say they have only 1 close friend.
- Roughly 25% of adults have 2-4 close friends.
While 5 close friends is the norm, anything from 1-15 is fairly common. The quality of the friendships matters more than the quantity.
Factors That Influence Your Number of Friends
Several factors naturally affect how many close friends you end up with:
Your Personality
Your natural temperament plays a role. Introverts tend to have fewer closer friends while extroverts often have larger circles of casual friends.
Life Stage
As people get busier with career and family responsibilities, they tend to cull their friend groups down to those they’re closest with. Friend numbers tend to decline from young adulthood into middle age.
Major Life Changes
Big life changes like moving, changing jobs, getting married, or having kids can affect your friendships. You may drift apart from some friends while getting closer to others.
Mental Health
Mental health issues like anxiety and depression can make it harder to initiate and maintain relationships. But having trusted friends can also empower you to get help.
Is There a Problem With Having Just 1 or 2 Friends?
While most adults have 3-5 close friends, having 1 or 2 is fine for many people. There are some potential drawbacks though:
- Less social support during hard times
- More likelihood of loneliness
- Greater isolation if a fallout occurs
As long as your 1-2 friendships are positive and fulfilling, there likely isn’t cause for concern. But if you’re unhappy with your limited social circle, taking steps to safely meet new potential friends can enrich your life.
Tips for Making New Friends When You Have Just 1 or 2
Here are some tips to help expand your social circle:
Pursue Your Hobbies Socially
Join a club, volunteer group, or sports team related to an activity you enjoy. You’ll meet people with shared interests.
Try New Things
Pick up a new hobby, take a class, or visit fresh hangouts in your community. Novelty shakes up your routine so you encounter new potential friends.
Make Acquaintances Into Friends
Deepen connections with people you see regularly, like colleagues, other parents if you have kids, or neighbors. Turn acquaintances into friends.
Connect Online First If Needed
Join online communities to safely get to know people with common interests before meeting up in person.
Practice Maintaining Friendships
Make an effort to keep in touch with any new friends through calls, texts, spending time together, and being emotionally supportive.
When to Seek Help for Difficulty Making Friends
It’s advisable to consult a mental health professional if:
- You feel distressed about having very few friends
- Loneliness is impacting your mental health and wellbeing
- You want friends but find it extremely hard to connect with people
A therapist can help address any underlying mental health issues, like depression or anxiety, that may be interfering with friendship-building.
| Number of Close Friends | Percentage of People |
|---|---|
| 0 | 5% |
| 1 | 10% |
| 2-4 | 25% |
| 5 | 25% |
| 6-9 | 20% |
| 10-15 | 10% |
| 16+ | 5% |
Conclusion
Having only 1 or 2 close friends can be completely normal for some, while distressing for others. Focus on nurturing the few quality friendships you have. But if unhappiness over your limited social circle is impacting your mental health, don’t hesitate to reach out for support. With some effort and courage, enriching your social life is possible.