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Data for Progress survey finds sharp drop in Americans' social participation since 1995

Data for Progress surveyed 1,098 U.S. adults, replicating questions from the 1975-1999 DDB Needham Life Style surveys, and compared results with 1995 data. The firm found double-digit percentage-point declines in activities such as attending a class or seminar, entertaining people at home, and attending church, with participation in several activities falling by more than 20 points.

dataforprogress.org · 2026-10-14

Data For Progress finds home entertaining still falling since 1990s

A Data For Progress survey replicating the older DDB Needham Life Style poll finds Americans hosting dinner parties and socializing at home far less than they did in the 1990s. The new data show continued double-digit declines across activities like card games, bar visits, sporting events, volunteering and community projects, extending a trend Robert Putnam flagged in his 2000 book Bowling Alone.

derekthompson.org · 2026-09-29