DatingNews: Young singles are dialing back dating as costs push romance off the table, study finds
Many young Americans are cutting back on dating — and finances are the reason, according to a new study. The research, conducted Kinsey Institute, finds a notable retreat from romantic activity among younger cohorts.
The report showed that 43% of young U.S. singles are going on fewer dates, 37% are cutting back on dating in general, and 33% specifically blame the economy for hesitations around romance. The study’s findings reflect broader financial strains facing Gen Z and millennials, including high everyday costs that can make a single night out expensive.
Commentary and related reporting highlight the breadth of the pressure. Other coverage notes that many young people are struggling to maintain social lives in the current economy — from friendships to romantic pursuits — and face mounting personal finance challenges, including debt and limited savings (see related coverage here).
Beyond fewer first dates, the study also found economic pressures are reshaping relationship timelines. Nearly one in four people said they would accelerate moving in together primarily to save money — splitting rent, groceries and utilities can be a powerful short-term incentive, particularly in high-cost cities.
Natassia Miller, an AASECT-certified sexologist, warned that moving in together for economic reasons can prioritize financial convenience over relationship readiness. She said this dynamic can create “financial coupling,” where leases and bills — not compatibility — bind partners together, making it harder to leave unfulfilling or unhealthy relationships.
The trend lines also tie into broader attitudes about money and romance. Separate survey work by matchmaking service Tawkify suggested nearly half of Gen Z would prioritize financial wellbeing over being in a relationship; details of that survey are available from Tawkify’s methodology page here. Tawkify’s CCO and chief matchmaker, Brie Temple, told The Post: “Money equals safety, security and freedom.”
The combined evidence paints a picture of a generation making pragmatic choices about intimacy and household formation amid ongoing economic stress. For many young people, the calculus of dating now involves weighing not only chemistry and timing but also the tangible cost of going out and the perceived security of financial stability.
