Over the past two decades, the frequency of shared meals in the U.S. has significantly declined, with nearly one-third of people regularly eating alone. This change is largely attributed to shifting social networks and evolving family and friendship dynamics. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated this trend, reinforcing solitary eating habits.
The annual World Happiness Report, published on March 20, 2025, sheds light on this issue, revealing a strong correlation between meal-sharing and improved well-being. This finding suggests that communal meals play a vital role in fostering happiness and social connection.
World Happiness Report Highlights Meal-Sharing as a Key Factor in Well-Being
The World Happiness Report is an annual publication by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, in collaboration with Gallup, Inc., and other research organizations. It ranks countries based on subjective well-being and examines factors that influence happiness.
Each year, the report focuses on a specific theme, and the 2025 edition explores the impact of caring and sharing on well-being. Topics covered include kindness, trust, generosity, cohabitation, and meal-sharing. By providing data-driven insights, the report aims to guide policymakers and promote social well-being on a global scale.
World Happiness Report Links Meal-Sharing to Increased Well-Being Amid Rising Solo Dining TrendsA large-scale study analyzed data from 142 countries, using responses from over 150,000 individuals collected between 2022 and 2023. The research found that frequent meal-sharing strongly correlates with higher happiness levels. Participants who regularly ate with others reported an increase of approximately one point in their life satisfaction scores.
Surprisingly, meal-sharing was found to be as significant a predictor of happiness as income levels and more influential than employment status. These findings reinforce the idea that social interactions, particularly during meals, contribute substantially to an individual’s overall well-being.
Global Meal-Sharing Trends and the Rise of Solitary Dining in America
Meal-sharing habits vary across regions, with Caribbean and Latin American populations averaging the highest number of shared meals per week (nine). Western Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand follow closely with eight shared meals per week, while South Asia and East Asia report lower frequencies at seven and six meals per week, respectively.
In the U.S., data from the American Time Use Survey (2003–2023) highlights a concerning increase in solitary dining. Currently, 26 percent of Americans eat all their meals alone, a 50 percent increase since 2003. This trend is particularly noticeable among older adults and young people under 35, reflecting deeper societal shifts in social connections.
The rise in solo dining is linked to broader societal changes, including a decline in social capital and community ties. Researchers suggest that reversing this trend could improve overall happiness and strengthen social cohesion. Public policies promoting communal dining spaces, workplace meal initiatives, and community-based meal programs could help encourage more shared meals.
According to study co-author Alberto Prati, meal-sharing should be considered a valuable indicator for social research and well-being assessment. These findings highlight the need for further exploration into how fostering social interactions through meals can enhance both individual and societal happiness.
