Friendship is a determining factor in the happiness of Portuguese people. This is one of the main conclusions of the study “Friendship in Portugal: What is it like? What has changed?”, conducted by CIS-Iscte, which confirms that authentic and trustworthy connections are essential for a more balanced and happy life.

The data reveal changes in friendship dynamics in Portugal over the last decade, particularly a decline in social gatherings and in the importance placed on face-to-face contact. Although 62% of respondents did not identify a significant impact from the COVID-19 pandemic, between 2015 and 2025 there was a decrease in the number of friends and close friends, especially among younger people.

Most Portuguese people meet with friends at least once a week, with younger individuals socializing the most [63% of young people meet friends face-to-face at least once a week, more than older individuals (51%)]. However, in both groups, the number of meetups has been decreasing over the past ten years.

The study reinforces that the quality of friendships has up to three times more impact on well-being compared to the number of friends, standing out in relation to other types of relationships, namely family relationships.

More than half of Portuguese people describe a good friend as “someone who is always there,” highlighting trust, intimacy, support, and reciprocity as essential values.