Inviting friends or relatives into the home has become far less common across the United States, according to a new analysis. The shift is reflected both in annual hosting rates and in the steep decline of monthly gatherings.

Only 67% of Americans said they had entertained people at home at least once during the past year, according to Data for Progress. That figure stood at 88% in 1995.

The think tank compared its 2026 survey with a similar survey conducted in 1995. Because the surveys used different methods, the results indicate a broader trend rather than providing a precise measurement of change.

Monthly hosting appears to have fallen even more dramatically. The share of Americans welcoming friends or relatives into their homes at least once a month plunged from 42% in 1975 to 12% in 2026, The Atlantic reported.

An “Outnumbered” panel examined the findings and the changing social habits that may be keeping Americans apart. Experts cited demanding schedules, parenting responsibilities, smaller friendship networks and the convenience of entertainment at home among the possible explanations.

The first factor is exhaustion. After people finish working and handling family responsibilities, preparing their homes and meals for guests can feel like one more obligation competing for limited time and energy.

Psychotherapist John Puls of Florida said working multiple jobs to cover expenses can leave people burned out and lacking the same “social battery.” The Atlantic also noted that as more women work, social schedules they traditionally maintained through parties and potlucks have weakened.

“When you’ve spent the day working and taking care of your kids, hosting people can seem like just another task to complete, even though you’d love to see them,” said Shebna N. Osanmoh I, a board certified psychiatric nurse practitioner in California.

A second factor is pressure to make every gathering appear perfect, particularly when moments can be shared on social media. Expectations surrounding food, presentation and atmosphere can transform an informal visit into a stressful production.

“High expectations may clash with what people can realistically manage, making hosting feel stressful rather than enjoyable,” said Wildaliz Caro, a licensed clinical psychologist in Puerto Rico. “Trying to plan the perfect gathering can fuel pressure to impress others.”

The Atlantic also noted that accommodating guests’ preferences and dietary needs can intensify that pressure. Instead of viewing a gathering as a casual chance to connect, some hosts may focus on meeting increasingly complicated expectations.

Money and space form a third obstacle. Grocery prices are still climbing, according to the source, making the cost of feeding several people feel difficult even when the gathering is intended to be casual.

“Housing costs and smaller living spaces make hosting feel financially and practically harder,” Daniel Schatz, a political scientist and former visiting scholar at Harvard, Stanford and Georgetown, told Fox News Digital.

Shrinking social circles are a fourth reason. Data for Progress found that the share of Americans reporting five or more close friends fell from 63% in 1990 to 38% in 2021, leaving some people with fewer potential guests.

“Americans spend more time alone, report fewer close friendships and participate less in the kinds of local institutions that once created regular social contact,” Schatz said. He identified younger adults, people living alone, households with lower incomes and those without strong social networks as the groups most affected.

The health implications extend beyond an empty dining table. The U.S. surgeon general’s 2023 advisory described loneliness and social isolation in America as an epidemic, while Puls said declining friendships can contribute to depression, anxiety and social isolation.

Puls said he sees the trend most frequently among younger generations. Gen Xers and baby boomers, by comparison, still commonly gather with others in person.

Easy entertainment is the fifth factor. Puls said adults are increasingly inclined to remain home and stream television shows or movies rather than host friends and relatives or go out.

“A dinner party requires planning, cleaning, coordination and a degree of social energy,” Schatz added. “Streaming or scrolling requires none of those things.”

Experts said rebuilding social contact does not require reviving elaborate dinner parties. Coffee, takeaway food, a walk or a recurring casual evening can lower the practical and emotional barriers to gathering.

“The point is not to revive the perfect dinner party. It is to rebuild the ordinary habits of seeing one another,” Schatz said.

---

Are you feeling overwhelmed or hopeless right now? Have you been withdrawing from people or activities you usually enjoy? Are you having thoughts about hurting yourself, or feeling like things will never improve?

You do not have to handle those feelings alone. Support is available, and talking to someone can make a difference. You can reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or by chatting online at 988lifeline.org. Trained counselors are available 24 hours a day to listen and help.

If you believe someone is in immediate danger, call emergency services right away. Even a small step, like reaching out to a trusted friend, family member, or professional, can help create a path forward.