Young people lived more with each other 10 years ago. Quality and quantity. And after all, what is a good friend?
“Friendship in Portugal. What is it like? What has changed?” The study by CIS-Iscte (Center for Research and Social Intervention), promoted by Super Bock, involved 1000 people living in Portugal, all between 18 and 64 years old.
The idea was to show the state of friendship relations in Portugal. It analyzed the habits and perceptions of Portuguese people regarding friendship relationships.
The study shows (or confirms) that authentic and reliable connections are essential for a life more balanced e feliz.
But it also shows (or confirms) that, in the last 10 years, there have been significant changes in the dynamics of friendship in Portugal: less interaction among younger people, less importance of face-to-face contact for social relations.
Between 2015 and 2025, the number of friends and the number of close friends fell for those interviewed – especially for the youngest. “Guilt” of it? The majority (62%) say no, that they did not feel a major impact related to the pandemic.
Quality, not quantity
The majority of Portuguese Meets with friends at least once a weekreads a statement sent to ZAP. And it is even younger people who spend more time (63%) in person with friends at least once a week – more than older people (51%).
The same study reveals that the quality of friendships has a impact up to three times greater in people’s well-being, when compared to the number of friends. Quality more important than quantity
The quality of friendship relationships has the good of the impact on the Portuguese when compared with the quality of family relationships.
What is a good friend?
It is “someone who is always present”, according to more than half of those surveyed.
The most important features are: reliability, support and honesty.
The most essential value is the trust, ahead of intimacy, support and reciprocity.
