In the U.S., we tend to share meals less frequently than we did 20 years ago, with almost a third of people regularly eating alone. This shift is believed to stem from broader changes in social networks, affecting family and friendship dynamics, and was further accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The annual World Happiness Report, published on March 20, 2025, highlights a strong link between sharing meals and improved well-being.
Researchers from London’s Global University (UCL), the University of Oxford, Harvard University, and Gallup, Inc. examined how meal-sharing compares to income and employment status in influencing happiness levels.
