1 in 5 American Adults Now Say They Have No Close Friends at All
A growing number of national surveys have tracked loneliness and social isolation in the U.S. over the past several years. The latest signal came from a new YouGov poll, which found that 1 in 5 American adults now say they have no close friends at all. The result adds a fresh number to a trend that researchers, health officials, and community groups have been watching closely.
A new national snapshot shows the scale
YouGov released the survey findings on August 26, 2025, reporting that 20% of U.S. adults said they have no close friends. According to the poll, that was up from 12% in a comparable 2021 YouGov survey, marking an 8-point increase over four years. The survey also found that 19% said they have one or two close friends, while 61% said they have three or more.
The same YouGov data showed differences by age and gender. Men were more likely than women to report having no close friends, according to the survey, and younger adults were not immune to the trend. While the poll offered a national snapshot, it did not release a 50-state breakdown of who was most affected.
What this means around the U.S.
Because the YouGov results were national, there is no confirmed city-by-city or state-by-state map tied to this poll. That means there is no public list showing whether adults in places like California, Texas, Florida, or New York reported higher rates than the national 20% figure. What is confirmed is that the finding applies across a U.S. adult sample and reflects a broad change since 2021.
Other national data points show similar concerns. In 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory describing loneliness and isolation as a public health issue, citing research that social disconnection can carry serious health risks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also published data linking social isolation to higher risks for poor physical and mental health outcomes.
Why the numbers may be moving
Researchers have pointed to several possible reasons for weaker social ties, though this specific YouGov survey did not assign a single cause. The Surgeon General’s 2023 advisory said time spent alone has increased over the past two decades, while social participation in groups, clubs, and faith organizations has declined. Remote work, frequent moves, and heavier digital communication have also been discussed in national research as factors that can reshape friendships.
For readers, the main takeaway is that this is not a small shift. Moving from 12% in 2021 to 20% in 2025 means millions more adults are now reporting no close friendships at all, based on YouGov’s national figures. That puts the survey in line with wider public health concerns that U.S. officials and researchers have continued to document through 2023, 2024, and 2025.
