Photo credit: www.cnbc.com
Sharing meals holds a significant place in cultures around the world, fostering connections and community.
According to the 2025 World Happiness Report, Senegal stands out, with individuals sharing approximately 11.7 meals each week out of a total of 14. In contrast, people in Sweden share about 9.5 meals, while those in the United States partake in around 7.9 shared meals. Japan figures lower on the scale, recording 3.7 shared meals weekly.
The frequency of communal dining has been shown to influence overall wellbeing. As noted by Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, editor of the report and director of the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, “there’s an optimal level of social eating.” This underscores the connection between mealtime interactions and emotional health.
This article explores the recommended frequency of shared meals and their crucial role in enhancing life satisfaction.
‘The optimal number is 13 out of 14’
With Senegal leading in social dining, the report highlights that no country achieves the ideal level of shared meals. De Neve emphasizes that “the optimal number is 13 out of 14,” suggesting that the social aspects of life may hold equal, if not greater, importance than wealth or health for overall wellbeing.
Researchers have observed a positive correlation between shared meals and life satisfaction, noting that each additional meal shared tends to uplift satisfaction levels globally. However, the report points out that after reaching a total of 14 shared meals, the need for personal solitude becomes apparent, indicating a balance between social interaction and alone time is necessary.
‘In the U.S., there’s a 54% increase in dining alone’
In the United States, the trend reflects a decline in communal dining, with Americans sharing an average of 4.7 dinners and 3.2 lunches together. This represents a “54% increase in dining alone over the last two decades,” De Neve states.
This shift is particularly evident during lunch breaks, which may be influenced by evolving workplace norms. De Neve suggests that many individuals now prefer to eat alone or work while eating lunch, rather than engaging with colleagues.
However, the time spent with coworkers is invaluable, contributing not only to personal wellbeing but also to fostering a collective culture of care within workplaces. According to De Neve, planning time for social interactions during the workday is essential—whether over meals, coffee, or tea, these moments strengthen workplace bonds.
Source
www.cnbc.com