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Why is it hard to make friends in middle age? Examining the complex social landscape

According to a 2024 report by the National Poll on Healthy Aging, 42% of people age 50 and older found it harder to make new friends compared to their younger years, highlighting a pervasive struggle with social connection. This issue begs the question: **Why is it hard to make friends in middle age?** The answer lies in a combination of factors, including entrenched routines, a shift in priorities, and a lack of the natural social settings that existed in younger years.