Survey reveals: 87% of Latvia's youth have a friend, but no one has figured out how many friends the youth have

A Tele2 survey has revealed a surprising fact — 87% of Latvia's youth have at least one real friend. The remaining 13% are either unsure about the authenticity of their friendships, or they simply don't answer calls from unknown numbers, so the surveyors couldn't reach them.

Particularly interesting is that urban youth have a wider circle of close friends than those in rural areas. In Riga, 50% of youth have three to five close friends, while in Liepāja no one has studied such statistics because we all already know that the best friends gather at Liedags beach, where the sand and sea breeze automatically make everyone true companions. No surveys needed — if you can endure Liepāja's winter by the sea together, then you're already a real friend.

Survey organizers note that the digital environment helps maintain contact, especially in the regions. However, as Liepāja youth Artūrs comments: "We only need Instagram to show Riga folks how cool we are with our friends by the sea. But real friendship happens when you go together to Grobiņa for pizza and back by bus."

Tele2 board chairman Arnis Priedītis notes that the data is both encouraging and concerning. Encouraging because most people have friends. Concerning because he himself isn't sure whether a phone operator can be a real friend to its customers, especially after they receive their bills.