I only have 8 close friends that I speak (mostly by text/phone since COVID) with on a monthly or more frequent basis. I have 2 friends I speak to 3+ times weekly. I definitely had more friends when I was younger.
I think the people here who’ve said that marriage/longterm relationships often take the place of other friendships are spot on. It’s easier to go out to dinner with a significant other than to set up plans for dinner with a friend(s), when it often means compromising what you eat + where and/or when you can meet. So much easier to say, “Babe, let’s go to Giuliano’s for dinner tonight.”
I’m trying to be more flexible since I’m single now and living alone for the first time ever in my life. I don’t mind having to consider a friend’s preferences, time, location, etc., when it comes to hanging out so much. Friendships are give and take and like they say about marriages, they take work. I have days where I’d rather just cancel my plans then hangout without really feeling it. But I try not to cancel as I know they’ve set aside their time for me and no one is likely to stay friends with a person who calls off plans all the time.