OKCUPID BLOG – According to a 2025 survey of 1,200 OkCupid users, dating is slower and more intentional. 71% seek meaningful relationships, and 57% meet partners through apps, still the dominant method. Only 11% meet in real life. Values (61%) and past experiences (34%) shape how people date, not social media. Most daters prefer clarity but move at their own pace. 57% research matches before dates, and 79% say sexual compatibility is key. Ambition is valued more than income. Overall, dating today is thoughtful, emotionally aware, and still centered on apps.
Category: All Internet Dating Statistics
Premium Matchmaking Market Set to Double by 2033
VERIFIED MARKET REPORT – The Premium Matchmaking Service Market report by Verified Market Reports (March 2025) estimates the market will grow from $1.2B in 2024 to $2.5B by 2033, at a CAGR of 8.9%. Growth is driven by rising demand for personalized, high-end dating services among affluent users, especially in Asia-Pacific. Online matchmaking now accounts for 60% of market revenue, with key players including It's Just Lunch, VIDA Select, and EliteMatrimony.
Gen Z LGBTQ+ Singles Are Rethinking Dating in a Shifting Political Climate
EUREKALERT – In 2025, politics are reshaping how many LGBTQ+ singles, especially Gen Z, approach dating. A national study by the Kinsey Institute and DatingNews found that while most LGBTQ+ adults still feel safe dating, younger singles are feeling the pressure. Nearly half of Gen Z respondents reported discomfort with being open about their identity, with some even relocating to more LGBTQ-friendly areas or changing how they date online.
TikTok’s Latest Budget Hack Is ‘Dating for Dinner’
MARKETWATCH – The TikTok-driven trend “dating for dinner,” or intentionally dating for free meals, has gained popularity due to economic pressures, particularly among Gen Z. Nearly half of Gen Z (48%) feel financially insecure, a significant rise from 30% the previous year, driven by high unemployment (9.7% among 16–24-year-olds versus 4.2% overall), rising living costs, and student debt burdens. According to Bumble’s 2025 report, 95% of singles say future economic concerns impact their dating decisions, with 60% of women seeking financial stability in partners. While 44% of singles surveyed by Self Financial believe the higher earner should pay for dates, 36% prefer splitting costs evenly, and 21% think whoever organizes the date should pay.
Singles Using AI up 300% YOY, Says Match
MASHABLE – Singles increasingly rely on AI in dating, with usage rising 333% from last year, according to Match's Singles in America study (surveying ~5K U.S. singles). ~26% of singles now use AI to improve their dating profiles, messages, and compatibility screening, particularly among Gen Z, where nearly half already use AI. However, many singles consider it unacceptable to use AI to alter photos (44%) or generate conversations (36%). 16% of singles have had AI romantic companions (33% Gen Z, 23% millennials).
Decoding the Stanford University Student Dating Landscape
MARK BROOKS – Yesterday I interviewed the CEO/Founder of The Marriage Pact at the LTR conference. Their 2024 Stanford Marriage Pact Campus Report offers a fascinating glimpse into the romantic dynamics of Stanford students. One striking finding is the difference in openness to nonmonogamous relationships across majors, with English majors showing the highest propensity. Another key takeaway is the evolving approach to commitment based on class year. Freshmen appear more inclined to "settle down" while seniors actually lean more towards casual connections. The report also reveals political divides. A significant 75% of socialists, for example, would not date a Republican. This underscores the impact of political views on dating preferences. The data on gender and sexual orientation is noteworthy, with about 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men identifying as non-heterosexual.
How Money, Stress, and Fear Are Killing Modern Dating
THE ATLANTIC – In the past, people often turned to love during hard times, like during the Great Depression or after the 2008 financial crash. But today, many are avoiding dating due to financial stress. A 2022 survey by Dating.com found that nearly half of singles skipped dates to save money. A 2024 LendingTree poll showed that 65% said inflation affected their dating life. Experts like sociologist Pepper Schwartz and psychologist Johanna Peetz explain that many now see relationships as something to start after becoming financially stable, not as a way to build a life together.
Study Finds Reform UK Voters More Dateable Than Tories Among Under-40s
METRO.CO.UK – A study by the University of Southampton and Harvard found that UK dating app users aged 18–40 are more open to dating Reform UK supporters than Conservatives, especially among younger, left-leaning users. While Labour, Green, and Lib Dem voters get more matches overall, Conservative support is now seen as more of a red flag. Experts say political alignment matters more in long-term relationships, but dating across party lines can sometimes shift views over time.
Romance Scams in the UK up 20%
INFOSECURITY MAG – Romance scams in the UK rose 20% in Q1 2025, driven by the growing use of dating apps, according to Barclays. Average victim losses hit £8K, rising to £19K for those aged 61+. Men made up 60% of the victims. 12% of UK adults have been targeted or know someone who has. 76% of consumers want tech companies to do more to stop scams. Experts urge stronger identity checks and better fraud detection by both platforms and banks.
Parship Study: Sustainability Becoming a Key Factor in Modern Relationships
PRESS RELEASE – A Parship study of over 1,000 Germans reveals that sustainability is a growing source of tension in relationships. While 82% of couples agree on basic eco-habits, 37% say they'd end a relationship if their partner pushed too hard for a sustainable lifestyle, rising to 46% among Gen Z. One in five couples have already argued about sustainability, and 30% wish their partner were more environmentally conscious. Younger people, especially 18–29-year-olds, are the most affected, showing both the highest expectations and the highest conflict rates around green living.