Canadians Spending Less Time With Friends — Creative Ways People Are Staying Close in 2026
Canadians are spending significantly less time with friends than in past decades, raising concerns about social connection and well-being as busy schedules and time pressures take precedence. Faced with these trends, some communities and individuals are finding inventive ways to stay close and nurture social ties even when time is tight. Statistics Canada+1
Declining Social Time With Friends
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Recent social data shows that the percentage of Canadians who spend time with friends on an average day has dropped sharply over the past 30-plus years. In 1986, nearly 48 per cent of people reported seeing friends daily; by 2022, that figure had fallen below 20 per cent. Statistics Canada
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Alongside fewer face-to-face interactions, the number of hours spent with friends has also decreased — meaning even when people do connect, time spent together is shorter. Statistics Canada
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Many Canadians say they feel pressed for time, a trend reflecting broader shifts in work demands, caregiving responsibilities, and lifestyle changes that make regular social interactions harder to prioritize. Statistics Canada
Experts say this decline has implications for emotional and mental well-being, as strong friendships and social support networks are closely linked to happiness, resilience, and reduced stress. In-person social interactions — from casual meetups to shared activities — remain essential for lasting bonds.
Why Time With Friends Is Shrinking
Several social forces are contributing to fewer in-person friend gatherings:
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Time pressure and busy lives: Many Canadians report feeling more pressed for time than in previous decades. Busy work schedules, family care duties, and commuting all reduce the hours available for friends. Statistics Canada
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Work and life balance challenges: Combining full-time jobs with daily life responsibilities often means social time is the first thing sacrificed in an already crowded schedule. Statistics Canada
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Changing social habits: Some sociologists note that modern lifestyles and technology can lead to patterns resembling cocooning — a behavior where individuals spend more time alone at home, often facilitated by digital entertainment and virtual communication habits. Wikipedia
Still, many Canadians feel the loss of social connection acutely, with a growing share saying they worry they don’t spend enough time with friends or family.
Inventive Ways Canadians Are Staying Close
Despite these challenges, many people are finding creative ways to maintain friendships and keep social connections strong:
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Long-standing traditions and social clubs: Some groups of friends maintain monthly traditions like dinner clubs or hobby meetups that provide structured time to gather together — commitments that help ensure social contact even when life gets busy. X (formerly Twitter)
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Group planning and shared activities: Instead of sporadic catch-ups, friends are scheduling regular group activities — from board game evenings to shared fitness classes — that make social time a planned priority. X (formerly Twitter)
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Hybrid social methods: Many Canadians blend in-person meetups with digital coordination like group chats, planning tools, or online event scheduling to organize social time more efficiently. For insight into how communication technology both supports and complicates social support networks, see an academic overview of digital social ties and communication technologies. arXiv
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Community-based gatherings: Local clubs, sports teams, and hobby communities are providing structured environments where social interaction is part of the activity, helping people meet new friends and maintain old friendships with shared interests. X (formerly Twitter)
These inventive approaches help counter the trend of shrinking social time by building connection around mutual effort and shared activities, reinforcing that friendship doesn’t have to be incidental — it can be intentional.
Why It Matters
Research consistently shows that social interaction and friendship contribute to well-being in meaningful ways:
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Being connected with friends is linked to lower stress, improved mental health, and increased life satisfaction.
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Regular social time can also buffer against loneliness and provide emotional support during challenging times.
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For many people, having deep, meaningful friendships — even if fewer in number — is more impactful than frequent but shallow social encounters.
Maintaining friendships requires active effort, especially in modern life where time is often limited. Investing in social activities and prioritizing meaningful connections can improve not just happiness, but overall health.
Tips to Stay Connected With Friends
For those who find it hard to schedule quality time, here are some practical ideas:
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Schedule recurring social commitments rather than waiting for spontaneous plans.
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Combine social time with shared goals, such as fitness classes, cooking clubs, or hobby groups.
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Use digital planning tools to coordinate schedules and reduce back-and-forth.
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Make small gestures count — a weekly check-in call or quick outdoor walk can help maintain closeness when schedules are tight.
Whatever the approach, the key is intentionality — being deliberate about social time keeps relationships strong even when life gets busy.
