More or Less: Behind the Stats Does the average American have fewer than three friends?
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Jun 4, 2025 Madeleine Sumption, Director of Oxford University's Migration Observatory, joins to untangle the statistics around friendship and immigration. She discusses the implications of claims about Americans having fewer than three friends, referencing the Dunbar number theory. The conversation also dives into the fiscal contributions of skilled migrants and the challenges in measuring their economic impact. Additionally, they touch on the prevention of Alzheimer's disease, dissecting claims about lifestyle changes and genetic factors that play a role in its risk.
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Positive Fiscal Impact of Skilled Migrants
- Skilled migrants on skilled worker visas tend to have a positive fiscal impact due to high earnings and youth.
- Family members of migrants generally have a negative fiscal contribution, mainly due to children and dependents.
Net Migration's Fiscal Impact Nuanced
- The recent large drop in UK net migration won't necessarily cause a drastic fiscal impact.
- What matters most is who migrates and their earning levels, not just the headcount.
Americans' Number of Close Friends
- Pew Research found that 50% of Americans report having more than three close friends.
- Zuckerberg's claim that most have fewer than three close friends is contradicted by this survey data.
