Home Entertaining Has Sharply Declined Since the 1990s, Data Shows

Fewer Americans are inviting people into their homes than in decades past, according to a new analysis from the think tank Data for Progress.

The analysis found that 67% of Americans said they entertained people at home at least once in the past year, down from 88% in 1995. Data for Progress noted the comparison relies on two surveys with different methods, so it should be read as an indication of a trend rather than a precise measurement.

The decline is sharper when looking at more frequent gatherings. The share of Americans hosting friends or family at home at least once a month fell from 42% in 1975 to just 12% in 2026, according to figures reported by The Atlantic.

Why the Dinner Party Is Fading

Experts cite several overlapping causes: busier schedules, parenting demands, shrinking social circles, financial pressure and the pull of at-home entertainment.

Florida-based psychotherapist John Puls said working multiple jobs leaves many people burned out and without the energy to host. Shebna N. Osanmoh I, a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner in California, said hosting can feel like an added task after a day of work and caregiving, even when people genuinely want to see friends.

The Atlantic also pointed out that as more women have entered the workforce, the social schedules they traditionally organized — parties, potlucks and the like — have frayed.

Social media pressure plays a role too. Wildaliz Caro, a licensed clinical psychologist in Puerto Rico, said the desire for a picture-perfect gathering can turn hosting into a source of stress rather than enjoyment, particularly when accommodating guests’ dietary needs and preferences.

Money and Friendships Both Shrinking

Rising grocery prices have made feeding a group feel like a luxury for some households. Daniel Schatz, a political scientist and former visiting scholar at Harvard, Stanford and Georgetown, said housing costs and smaller living spaces also make hosting harder both financially and practically.

Friendship networks themselves have narrowed. The share of Americans with five or more close friends dropped from 63% in 1990 to 38% in 2021, according to Data for Progress.