Women over 50 in the UK say close female friendships bring them more joy than romantic relationships, according to new research that highlights the lifelong value of these bonds.
More than a quarter of women aged 50 to 90 (26 per cent) say their friendships with other women make them happier than love or romance, while almost a quarter (23 per cent) would turn to a close friend first for emotional support ahead of a partner or family member. Fifteen per cent say they have more regrets about friendship break-ups than romantic ones.
The findings come from a survey commissioned by Wooga, creators of the mystery-solving mobile game June’s Journey, which explored the role of female friendship in happiness, resilience and identity. The research, carried out by OnePoll in October 2025, surveyed 1,000 women aged 50 to 90 across the UK.
The study found that the average close female friendship has lasted an extraordinary 37 years. Nearly a third of respondents over 70 say they have friendships that have endured for more than six decades, and three-quarters (74 per cent) believe strong friendships are the key to happiness later in life.
But even long-standing bonds can be tested. Twelve per cent of women say a friendship ended because of political or social differences, 13 per cent cite changes in relationship status, seven per cent say issues relating to children played a role, and three per cent blame money disagreements.
The survey also reveals tensions behind the scenes: one in seven women (14 per cent) admit to secretly disliking or resenting a close friend, while 16 per cent feel jealous or threatened by a friend’s relationship with others.
Loneliness remains common. Seventy-one per cent of women say they feel lonely or isolated at times, including 10 per cent who feel this way often. Thirteen per cent have no close female friends and nearly a third (31 per cent) say they do not have a best female friend. More than a third (34 per cent) struggle to form new friendships, with 13 per cent finding it extremely difficult.
Friendships are also increasingly being formed online, with eight per cent of women saying they have made a close connection with someone they have never met in person. While most still keep in touch face to face (73 per cent), digital communication is growing, with 61 per cent mostly using text messages, 50 per cent using phone or video calls, and 27 per cent using social media.
Women fear losing friendships more than losing partners. Thirty per cent say they worry about being friendless later in life — more than twice the number who fear being single (14 per cent).
Maike Steinweller at Wooga said: “These findings show just how central female friendship is to women’s happiness and resilience, especially later in life. As romantic priorities shift, it’s these long-standing bonds that provide stability, laughter and emotional strength.
“What’s striking is that even though many women find it difficult to make new friends, the friendships they do have are often decades long and deeply meaningful. This research should serve as a reminder that celebrating female friendships across culture and storytelling matters deeply.”
The survey was commissioned by Wooga (www.wooga.com) - creators of the hit mystery-solving mobile game June’s Journey. The research is inspired by Wooga’s core themes of female friendship and empowerment, recently highlighted through its new collaboration with Universal Products & Experiences, which introduces a Wicked-inspired integration within the June’s Journey game. To further explore these themes, Wooga commissioned OnePoll in October 2025 to survey 1,000 women in the UK aged between 50 and 90 years old to explore the power of female friendship and its impact on happiness, resilience, and identity.
© The Standard Ltd