What’s it like being single today? We asked, and America’s singles answered. Every year, Match’s Singles in America study gets to the heart of the latest dating trends and realities for Americans looking for love. In our 12th annual study, we dive deep into today’s dating world: What’s hot (conscious dating, mental health, sex positivity), what’s not (superficiality, sex in the metaverse, political misalignment), and why acceptance, inclusivity, and open-mindedness have never been sexier.
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Superficial is super dated. Now more than ever, singles are invested in conscious dating: Looking beyond just physical attraction to use dating as a way to learn about themselves (who they are, what they need, and their behavioral patterns throughout the process). Age, distance, and other surface-level attributes are taking a back seat to good, old fashioned authenticity. We’ve heard it loud and clear: Singles are dating with intention — and they’re seeking someone with mindfulness to match.
Go ahead and swap those dress jackets and heels for something more laidback and real:
84% of singles say they prefer casual dates over stuffy wine and dines. They’ve also dressed down their expectations, thinking of first dates less as high-pressure first impressions and more as opportunities to meet someone new.
When it comes to dating experiences, 77% say they like learning about new people — and 53% say they find dating a helpful tool to learn how to be their best self, too.
All signs highlight a more honest, introspective approach to building relationships over time:
And we’re all for it.
Friendships bring a long list of benefits. They lower cholesterol, promote laughter, lead to better health — and now you can add provide dating direction to that list.
According to our data, friends are singles’ leading source for advice in love.
For dating advice, 48% of singles lean on their friends. Another 33% turn to their family. YouTube and social media search bars console 21% of today’s singles, while 16% ask their therapist and 14% seek dating advice where they find dates, too: Dating apps.
And it’s a myth that men don’t ask: They seek dating advice just as often as women.
Today’s singles give relationships more time to see if there’s a spark.
In fact, 49% have fallen in love with someone they weren’t initially attracted to (up from 38% in the last decade).
The moral of the story? First impressions aren’t everything.
Take a leaf out of their book and give someone a shot. (You just might grow to love ‘em.)
Today’s singles aren’t quick to judge, but they might be quick to settle down.
Relationship readiness is soaring: And they’re ready for more than a fling.
70% are open to finding a relationship today, with 35% saying they’re keen to meet a partner within the next few months.
Young singles are especially sold on long term relationships, with 80% indicating they’d like to find something that lasts.
The search is on for partnerships: 48% of all singles say they’re more eager to meet a partner now than before.
Really. Our data shows singles believe love can go the distance.
53% say they’d start a relationship with someone who lives more than 3 hours away, compared to only 35% last year.
Perhaps the pandemic has something to do with this newfound affinity for loving from afar: 33% say their stance on distance changed during the pandemic.
With local love no longer the default, singles turn to virtual methods of getting to know one another before they connect in person.
Can you get to know someone in the metaverse? Today’s singles aren’t convinced.
Before meeting up IRL, they’d like to get to know their date — but not their avatar.
Preferred methods:
- 48% want to get to know each other over the phone
- 43% prefer text messages
- 29% like to use social media
- 11% said the metaverse
Overall, singles prefer their sex live in living color: Only 3% have tried it through virtual reality.
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Let’s talk about sex — singles today know the dynamic relationship they seek starts with them. They’re invested in exploring what they want (and how they want it.)
Today’s singles know it’s more than okay to love sex.
and
Self-discovery isn’t just mental. Over one third (38%) of singles are more interested in exploring their body and sexuality than they were before the pandemic. Gen Z and Millennials top this trend with Gen Z at 54% and Millennials at 47%. We found consistent curiosity across genders — everyone’s finding their own beat.
38% of singles say they feel more sexually empowered this year: And we say, power to them.
For today’s singles, repetition is en vogue. They’re showing a strong appreciation for the classics: 57% report really enjoying missionary position during sex. Another 51% say they don’t mind repeated sexual behaviors. (Maybe we’re seeing that sexual self-discovery pay off.)
The pandemic helped many singles rediscover the beauty of the basics. 31% say their sexual interests became more vanilla since the pandemic, mostly among Gen Z.
COVID also brought self-discovery to a lucky few who found their fetish. 18% of singles say their sexual interests became more kinky since 2020.
While they might favor missionary for knocking boots, singles today are quite open to new sexual experiences.
- 31%enjoy acting out sexual fantasies
- 27%are into role-playing during sex
- 25%like demonstrating what they like to their partner
- 24%like rough sex
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Polls can take tolls: This year’s biggest political issues exhibit a meaningful impact on how singles balance social responsibility and dating.
Abortion rights aren’t an issue singles — or anyone, for that matter — take lightly.
Today’s daters are thinking critically about how stances on the issue affect their relationships.
The numbers:
- 2 in 3 single women won’t date a partner with opposing views on abortion.
- 25% of women want to have less discussion about abortion with their partners.
- 18% of singles say opposing views would make them want to have more discussion about abortion with their partners.
Singles share the top three ways Roe’s reversal will change their dating lives:
- More condom use
- More sex hesitation
- More fear of pregnancy
And abortion rights shook up more than just dating:
It’s no surprise 17% of singles have lost friends due to opposing views.
Today’s daters, especially the younger ones, lead with love and acceptance.
- 56% of singles overall want a partner who supports people’s freedom to identify as something other than their biological sex.
- 41% of Gen Z and 31% of Millennials are open to dating someone who is transgender
- 56% of Gen Z and 42% of Millennials are open to dating someone who is pansexual.
- 44% of Gen Z and 31% of Millennials are open to dating someone who is gender non-binary.
Singles want a partner who is politically aware — but not uncompromising.
- 58% say it’s now more important than ever to know a partner’s political views.
- 37% said that having too strong an opinion is a deal breaker.
- The reverse is just as bad: 31% say it’s a “no-go” if a potential partner has no opinion.
- 28% don’t want a partner who isn’t registered to vote.
- 24% would avoid a date who is not planning to vote.
- 22% say it’s a deal breaker if their date didn’t vote in the last election.
COVID's here to stay — but vaccines are slowly fading from singles' top dating concerns.
40% definitely want their partner to be vaccinated, compared to 47% in 2021.
36% said they don’t care.
However, 1 in 3 singles say their dating life is currently affected by COVID.
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Singles are spending $117.4B on their dating lives each year.
That breaks down to $130/month, or $1,560/year.
- Dating apps, matchmakers: $12/month
- In-person dating activities: $39/month
- Appearance/ Grooming: $40/month
- Date night clothes, etc.: $39/month
- TOTAL$130/month
The cost of dating increased 40% over the last 10 years, but that hasn’t stopped singles from dating. They’ve just gotten more clever and innovative with how they swing it.
- 84% of singles prefer a casual first date.
- 30% are now more open to doing free activities on a date.
- 29% are more open to going somewhere close to home to save on gas.
- 26% are more open to eating a home-cooked meal vs. eating at a restaurant.
- 25% are more open to just meeting a date for coffee or drinks.
- 24% are more open to going on dates at inexpensive restaurants.
Money problems, inflation, a recession — these don’t kill love,
however they are forcing singles to adapt.
- 30% say that inflation has made them more eager to find a financially stable partner
- 23% of singles are now more appreciative of frugal people
Today’s top three stressors for singles (everyone but Gen Z) are all financial:
- 39%
are stressed about the economy (mostly among the Gen Xers and Boomers).
- 38%
are stressed about their long-term financial future (mostly among
Gen Xers). - 35%
are stressed about the effect of inflation (mostly among Gen Xers and women).
Among Gen Zs, the biggest stressor (at 44%) was mental health,
and we’ll have more on that below.
Being in the red is a big deal when it comes to dating.
- 96% feel that having similar attitudes about debt and spending is an important partner trait, which is at an all time high over the last decade.
- 41% of singles think a partner should reveal the amount of debt they have once they’ve defined their relationship.
- 26% set becoming debt free as a top personal goal this year.
- 19% feel their debt has become a mark against them when it comes to dating and finding a relationship.
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For today’s singles, the self-improvement movement is alive and kicking. They realize the importance of putting themselves first to be a better person and a better partner.
And singles are acting accordingly. This year, they’re investing more in themselves to lay the foundation for healthier relationships.
- 87% of singles say it’s important for both partners to prioritize mental health.
- 2/3 of singles want to improve their own mental health.
- 2/3 of young singles are open to therapy.
- 81% reported they engage in self-care at least monthly.
- 31% say their mental health is good (mostly among Boomers)
- 36% of singles say their mental health is poor (mostly among young singles)
This year sees a large decline in young singles feeling burnt out, almost a 20% drop from last year. But where’s their current burnout still coming from?
- 31% say career (mostly
Gen Xers) - 22% say dating life (mostly Millennials)
Even though social burnout is real, it has little sway over dating in person.
- Only 13% of singles say burnout keeps them from going out.
- Another 13% say they’re not dating IRL because they’re too busy.
- 15% say they don’t date in person because they feel out of practice.
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Singles in America is funded by Match and conducted by Dynata in association with renowned anthropologist Dr. Helen Fisher and evolutionary biologist Dr. Justin Garcia of The Kinsey Institute at Indiana University.
The 2022 study is based on the attitudes and behaviors taken from a demographically representative sample of 5,000 U.S. singles between the ages of 18 to 98. Generations are defined as: Gen Z (18-25), Millennials (26-41), Gen X (42-57), and Boomers (58-76). Singles in America remains the most comprehensive annual scientific survey of single Americans.