Study reveals the age most Brits meet their lifelong best friend

The typical Briton met their best friend at the age of 19, with one in ten maintaining the same friendship since they were 10 years old.

A study involving 2,000 UK adults disclosed that 22% encountered true lifelong friends between the ages of 11 to 15, making school the ultimate breeding ground for friendships.

Classrooms was the birthplace for 37% of these friendships, particularly among Gen-Z and millennials, while clocking in at work led to 17% finding their lifelong mate.

According to the survey, trust (67%), support through tough times (53%), and a shared sense of humour (41%), were identified as the glue that helps best friends stay together.

The study revealed that 13% of adults aged over 65 have more than five best friends, while only 6% of Gen Z can say the same.

Nearly half of those over 65 stated they made their best friends after the age of 35, with one in 20 maintaining relationships from six to 10 years old.

But remaining close isn’t as easy as it once was – a third of those polled think it’s harder to maintain adult friendships as they only manage to meet up with their best pals a few times a year.

Merely 13% manage to see their friends on a weekly basis and 17% can sometimes leave it as long as a year before seeing their best friend. And it seems busy life schedules are to blame, with 46% believing it’s because people are more unavailable now, so it is harder to find time to connect.

Still, food continues to be a key ingredient to great friendships and spending time together, as almost half maintain contact by going out for brunch or breakfast with their friends.

According to the OnePoll study, ice cream tops the list as the ultimate friendship dessert; 27% of Brits say it would be their forever go-to with their best friend, followed by chocolate cake (20%) and cheesecake (16%).

In celebration of National Best Friends Day, Nutella erected a massive 3.8m by 3.5m ice cream tub in Potters Field Park, encouraging buddies to bond over a tasty treat.

Ferrero UK & Ireland’s spokesperson, Gemma Mattison commented: “Best friends are the people we laugh with, lean on, and share life’s little moments with – and that’s something worth celebrating.”