Face-to-face socializing is being squeezed out of our daily routines, according to research, while use of online social media is on the rise.

Figures released by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) indicate that, on average, residents of the world's wealthier countries are spending six hours a week talking in person with friends and family – down by 24 minutes from a decade ago.

The research, across 24 nations, found that Austria is the most sociable country, with Luxembourg's residents spending the least time in social interactions each week in Europe. 

Women, meanwhile, spend on average 40 minutes longer face-to-face with friends and family than men. 

The statistics come from the OECD's How's Life? report, which analyzes all aspects of well-being worldwide, from health and employment rates to security and social connections.

Since 2010, the OECD has asked people in 24 of its member states to rate the quantity and quality of the time they spend socializing. The data found that:

- People allocate an average of six hours per week to spending time face-to-face with friends and family.

- Austria (9.5 hours per week) and the Netherlands (8.4) are the most sociable countries in the world.

- Luxembourg (3.9 hours per week) and Hungary (4.2) are the least likely to socialize regularly in Europe, but are still way ahead of the Japanese at two hours.

- Belgians spent on average 40 minutes less in social situations between its studies carried out in 2005-06 and 2012-13, the largest change among the seven countries to have data for two separate years.

- Young people (aged 15-29) are the biggest social butterflies, going out on average over two hours a week more than those in middle-age (30-49 years).

- Young people in Italy average nearly six hours' more socializing (12.7) than those aged 50-plus.

- Women spend more time socializing in every country measured except Italy, Greece, Spain and Hungary.

Despite the OECD's data indicating a dip in the amount of time people spend socializing, most likely because of the smartphone revolution, its figures show that high-speed internet in the home actually helps support social connections via messaging services such as WhatsApp, as well as providing access to job opportunities, which improve mental well-being.

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