What is ‘Friendflation’ and Why are Young Brits Talking About It?

‘Friendflation’ is the latest worry on people’s minds, but few are prepared for just how much it can impact daily life.

Rising bills, climbing grocery prices and stagnant wages are leaving Brits many stretched thin.

For younger generations, even basics like rent, travel and food are starting to feel like luxuries. And as if dating wasn’t already expensive, friendship itself is beginning to carry a cost.

More and more young people are sharing their frustrations online. Nights out, birthday dinners and group trips are starting to feel like financial hurdles rather than moments of joy.

It has left many questioning whether staying social is worth the constant strain on their bank accounts.

One user explained: “Friendflation = the perfect storm of social + financial pressure, turning joy into stress.

“It’s when the cost of birthdays, weddings, brunches, and trips grows faster than your paycheck.”

Another put it bluntly, saying it is spiralling “out of control”.

So, what exactly is friendflation?

A play on the word inflation, it’s the rising cost of simply keeping up with friends.

Of course, real friendship has never been about money. But when every plan comes with a price tag, many feel left out of moments that should be about connection, not cash.

As one person summed it up: “Expensive dinners, trips, endless plans… friendflation makes connection hard to afford.

“But real friendship was never about the bill. If friendship has a price tag, it’s not friendship. It’s a subscription. Time to bring friendship back to what it was meant to be.”

Money tends to be one of the unspoken topics within friendship and for some, this silence can lead to quiet resentment.

The good news? There are ways to tackle the problem.

Planning ahead makes a difference, whether that’s a shared calendar or agreeing on pricier events months in advance, giving everyone time to budget.

Low-cost hangouts also help, from rotating hosting nights with home-cooked food to board game evenings that bring back simple fun without draining wallets.

Friendship shouldn’t come with a bill.

And while rising costs can’t be ignored, finding balance could help ensure connection doesn’t become another casualty of the cost of living crisis.