Interest in relationships
51% were single and interested in starting a relationship. Only 21% were satisfied with their dating options; 39% were dissatisfied.
Is Gen Z dating less?
One 2025 survey found low dating activity among unmarried U.S. adults ages 22–35.
By Nora Hale31% of surveyed unmarried young adults dated once a month or more (dated monthly+).
2025 National Dating Landscape Survey of 5,275 U.S. adults ages 22–35; this age range spans Gen Z and younger Millennials.
Institute for Family Studies, State of Our Unions 2026
Check the source ↗The survey covered 5,275 people, including older Gen Z adults and younger Millennials. A single survey does not show a decline over time.
2 sourcesMonthly dating and low activity by sex
| Survey measure | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Dated once a month or more | 26% | 36% |
| No dates or only a few in prior year | 74% | 64% |
| Money is a dating barrier | 46% | 58% |
National Dating Landscape Survey, 2025. Respondents were unmarried U.S. adults ages 22–35; these are survey estimates, not official record totals.
Reported barriers
52% said a lack of money made dating difficult. After a bad date or setback, 28% said they stayed positive. 55% said breakups made them more reluctant to date. These answers describe reported barriers, not proven causes.
A separate Gen Z survey
In a 2026 Bank of America and Ipsos survey of 1,133 adults ages 18–29, 45% were single and not actively dating. That survey measured spending and relationship status, not yearly date frequency.
Sources (2)
State of Our Unions 2026
State of Our Unions 2026 ↗
Institute for Family Studies report based on the 2025 National Dating Landscape Survey of 5,275 unmarried U.S. adults ages 22–35.
Better Money Habits 2026 Gen Z Report ↗
Bank of America and Ipsos survey of 1,133 U.S. adults ages 18–29, fielded February 10–28, 2026.
Common questions
What does “dating recession” mean?
The report uses the term for low dating activity despite interest in relationships.
Does this prove dating apps caused a decline?
No. The surveys do not isolate the effect of dating apps or establish a change over time.
Gen Z dating and cost
About Nora Hale
Nora Hale writes about looking for love today, from choosing a dating app to wondering why dating feels so hard. She uses research to answer the questions people ask along the way.
Meet Nora and read more