A growing number of youth in Singapore report having no close friends, prompting experts to call for increased social infrastructure.

This trend suggests a deepening "friendship recession" among the young population. The lack of meaningful connections can impact mental health and community stability, making the development of physical and social spaces essential for fostering peer bonds.

Data indicates that eight percent [1] of youth in 2025 said they had no close friends. This figure is double the four percent [2] reported in 2013 [3].

Experts said the rise in isolation is linked to a deficiency in social infrastructure. These are the environments and systems that allow people to meet and build relationships naturally. Without these supports, young people struggle to establish the trust and intimacy required for close friendships.

Observers said the increase in reported loneliness highlights a systemic gap in how urban environments are designed. The transition from four percent [2] to eight percent [1] represents a significant shift in the social fabric of the youth demographic over the 12-year period.

To combat this, specialists said the city needs more dedicated spaces that encourage spontaneous interaction. This includes community hubs, and programs specifically designed to bridge the gap between digital interaction and real-world connection.

“Eight percent of youth in 2025 said they had no close friends, double the four percent in 2013.”

The doubling of youth reporting no close friends in Singapore underscores a growing tension between high-density urban living and actual social connectivity. By framing this as a failure of 'social infrastructure,' experts are shifting the conversation from individual psychological failings to a systemic urban planning issue, suggesting that the physical environment plays a critical role in preventing social isolation.