What’s the average number of friends a Facebook user has?

The average Facebook user has 229 friends.

Pew Research compiled its research on Facebook and turned up some interesting insights. A few things that caught my eye:

• 80% of friend requests are accepted.

• 22% of Facebook friends are from high school.

• Women average 21 updates to their Facebook status per month while men average 6.

• Women and younger users tend to unfriend more than others.

And:

• Facebook users are more trusting than others. A Facebook user who uses the site multiple times per day is 43% more likely than other internet users and more than three times as likely as non-internet users to feel that most people can be trusted.

• Facebook users have more close relationships. Someone who uses Facebook several times per day averages 9% more close, core ties in their overall social network compared with other internet users.

• Facebook users are much more politically engaged. Compared with other internet users, and users of other social networking platforms, a Facebook user who uses the site multiple times per day was an additional two and half times more likely to attend a political rally or meeting, 57% more likely to persuade someone on their vote, and 43% more likely to have said they would vote.

• Facebook users get more social support. A Facebook user who uses the site multiple times per day receives more emotional support and companionship offline (such as having someone help you when you are sick in bed.)

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