We've staggering 99 friends at 21- more than at any other time in our life

London, Nov 1 (ANI): Our social circle is at its peak when we are at 21 with a staggering 99 friends- but the number drops sharply as we get older, a new study has revealed.

The study found that the typical 21-year-old's social circle nearly hits 100 - more than at any other time in our life - with 13 'best' friends, 17 'close' friends and 70 acquaintances, the Daily Mail reported.

But this number drops sharply to 68 by the time we are 29-years-old.

The decline continues to 63 at age 39, 43 at 49-years-old and plummets to around 41 when we hit 55.

The research undertaken by skin care brand Nivea found our social circle peaks at 21 as we meet people at work while keeping in touch with friends from school and university.

But as our working lives take over, we lose contact with some old friends causing the number to drop to around 68 by the time we reach 29-years-old.

Although this decline continues into old age, it slows down slightly for people in their 30s when many of them become first-time parents.

It is believed that this is because people form new friendships while on the maternity ward, at post-natal groups and when taking their toddlers to nursery.

The Nivea Closeness Report found the balance between our numbers of 'best friends', 'close friends' and 'acquaintances', remains fairly constant throughout our lifetime. (ANI)