Brits Most Often Meet Their Lifelong Best Friend at Age 19

A recent study has revealed that the average Brit meets their lifelong best friend at the age of 19. The findings, published by The Sun, are based on a survey of 2,000 UK adults and highlight how formative teenage and early adult years are for building lasting friendships.

According to the study, around one in five participants met their closest friend between the ages of 11 and 15. School was named as the most common place where meaningful friendships begin, with 37 percent of respondents saying they met their best friend during school years. Another 17 percent said they found their closest companion at work.

When asked what holds a friendship together over time, the majority of respondents pointed to trust (67 percent), emotional support during hard times (53 percent), and shared sense of humor (41 percent). However, maintaining these friendships as adults becomes more challenging. Only 13 percent of Brits see their best friend at least once a week. Meanwhile, 22 percent meet only a few times a year, and 17 percent see each other less than once annually. Nearly half of those surveyed blamed lack of time and busy schedules for the infrequency of contact.

Still, many make an effort to stay connected. Some 45 percent continue to meet up over breakfast or brunch, keeping the bond alive with regular catch-ups. Food also plays an emotional role in these friendships, with ice cream being the favorite treat during get-togethers (27 percent), followed by chocolate cake (20 percent) and cheesecake (16 percent).

The study also revealed that the structure of friendships shifts over time. Among people over 65, 13 percent reported having five or more close friends. In contrast, only 6 percent of Generation Z respondents said the same. This may suggest that as people age, their social circles narrow, but the depth and loyalty of the connections increase.

As The Sun notes, friendships forged during youth tend to last longer and feel more profound. Yet modern life often demands intentional effort to sustain them — whether through regular meetings, heartfelt conversations, or simply enjoying a shared dessert on a quiet Sunday afternoon.