Shared meals boost happiness, especially in North America

The World Happiness Report 2025 emphasizes the importance of sharing meals for overall happiness. Research shows that eating together can strengthen social relationships and improve emotional wellbeing. Across different cultures, meals are a vital part of social interaction. Words for "friend" in several languages derive from terms related to sharing bread. The report highlights how often people share meals impacts their happiness. The findings are based on data from over 150,000 respondents across 142 countries. Latin Americans tend to share about two-thirds of their meals, with people in Paraguay, Ecuador, and Colombia sharing more than ten meals weekly. In contrast, some South and East Asian countries, like India and Japan, report lower levels of meal sharing, often consuming less than one shared meal in three. The report also notes that the benefits of meal sharing on wellbeing can vary by region. For example, the positive effects of sharing meals are significant in North America and Oceania but weaker in Southeast Asia. Researchers currently do not fully understand why these differences exist. In the U.S., meal sharing has declined over the years, especially among young adults. Those who do share meals report feeling happier and less stressed. This could indicate that sharing meals contributes to wellbeing rather than simply reflecting existing happiness. As loneliness becomes a public health concern, encouraging more shared meals could help reduce social isolation. Institutions where people eat together may play a key role in fostering connections. With the rise of remote work, it's a good time to reach out to friends for a meal.