Amid a ‘friendship recession’, some young Singaporeans are building bonds through shared interests
Young Singaporeans are finding new ways to build friendships, with some turning to shared interests and third spaces.
Intelligence analysis by Qwen 2.5 (3B)
Friendship circles in Singapore are shrinking, but some young people are discovering that a shared purpose can bring them closer to others.
Some young people in Singapore are finding new ways to make friends by doing things they enjoy together, like music or sports. The government is helping by creating places where young people can hang out and meet others who share their interests.
Analysis
{"
Challenges in forming friendships in Singapore":"The National Youth Council's National Youth Survey found that the proportion of youth with more than three close friends dropped from 56% in 2013 to 48% in 2025. Eight percent of youth say they have no close friends in 2025, up from 4% in 2013. Young people face different challenges in forming and maintaining friendships at different junctures in their lives, such as school and work.","
Creating third spaces for youth":"The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) and the National Youth Council (NYC) are spearheading initiatives to create 12 'third spaces' – casual places outside of school, work or home where youth can hang out. These spaces are designed to be safe, consistent, and low-pressure environments for youth to interact.","
Youth-led projects and volunteering":"NYC is also creating 16,000 volunteering opportunities annually through its volunteering arm, Youth Corps Singapore. The National Youth Council is also supporting up to 3,000 youth-led projects over the next five years with $20 million in funding. These projects include music education initiatives like The Resonance Project, which brings music education to the community and seniors in active ageing centres."}
Key points
- Friendship circles in Singapore are shrinking, with only 48% of young people having more than three close friends in 2025.
- The National Youth Council is creating 12 'third spaces' for youth to hang out and meet others who share their interests.
- NYC is also supporting up to 3,000 youth-led projects with $20 million in funding.
By creating more 'third spaces' and supporting youth-led projects, the government can help young people build stronger connections and find new friends.
If these initiatives do not reach enough young people, the friendship 'recession' in Singapore may continue.
