Notable statistics on romance and courtship among millennials and Gen Z:

Key Dating Trends Among Millennials and Generation Z in 2022

Millennials and Generation Z, the youngest generations in the dating market, have distinctive dating habits shaped by economic uncertainties and digital nativity. A survey of dating statistics reveals the unique approaches these generations take to finding a partner, with an emphasis on online dating.

Millennial and Generation Z Dating Habits

The survey reveals the following insights on dating among millennials and Generation Z:

A significant proportion of both generations (72% among millennials and 75% among Generation Z) prefer to remain single, valuing freedom and independence.
The majority of both groups (44% among millennials and 75% among Generation Z) are currently single.
The most popular reason for ghosting, or ending a relationship without explanation, is avoiding confrontation.
Over half (56%) of both millennials and Generation Z have experienced ghosting.
A similar number of both generations (29%) have married at the same age as 59% of older generations.
Approximately 30% of millennials and Generation Z report that their financial situation hinders their willingness to date.
Among those who are single, Generation Z engages in less casual sex compared to previous generations, with 24% reporting casual sexual encounters.
Attitudes towards cheating and open relationships are more liberal among both generations, with similar proportions (43%) desiring monogamous and non-monogamous partnerships.

Millennial Dating Statistics

More specific observations regarding millennial dating habits include:

A significant number (72%) of single millennials actively choose to be single, valuing their independence.
A smaller percentage (44%) of millennials are married, compared to 53% of Generation X, 61% of baby boomers, and 81% of the silent generation at comparable ages.
Millennials value the social and personal benefits of being single, with 81% reporting that this lifestyle allows them to make new friends, pursue personal wellness, and focus on their work.
The majority of older millennials (77%) are seeking a serious relationship, while a smaller percentage of younger millennials (75%) share this desire.
The most common first date activity for millennials is grabbing coffee.
Millennials have an average of eight sexual partners in their lifetime.
Around 73% of millennials find people who speak multiple languages more attractive.
A significant number (22%) of millennial females and males prefer dating someone with a college degree.
Equal proportions (43%) of millennials prefer a monogamous or non-monogamous relationship.
Millennials are less likely to strictly oppose cheating compared to older generations, with 56% expressing tolerance compared to 69% of Generation X and 74% of baby boomers.
Millennials spend an average of $69 on the first date.
Around 60% of millennials want their partner to support social movements such as Black Lives Matter and Stop Asian Hate.

Generation Z Dating Statistics

The survey uncovers the following facts about Generation Z dating behaviors:

Around 75% of Generation Z are currently single.
Generation Z is less likely to engage in casual sex compared to previous generations, with 38% reporting casual sexual encounters in 2007 compared to 24% in 2017.
The majority of Generation Z daters believe in splitting the costs of dating.
A substantial proportion (28%) of Generation Z is willing to spend at least $100 on the first date, with one-third spending $250 or more per month on dating activities.
Nearly three-quarters (74%) of Generation Z daters hold strong views on environmental issues and would not match with someone who shares different views.
Around two-thirds (67%) of Generation Z supports the Black Lives Matter movement, and 68% believe their partner should support the Stop Asian Hate movement.

Millennial and Generation Z Comparison

The statistics reveal some notable similarities and differences between millennial and Generation Z dating behaviors:

The most common reason for ghosting is to avoid confrontation (50% among women and 38% among men).
Over half (56%) of men and women have experienced ghosting.
Around 70% of young singles prefer a phone call before meeting in person for the first time.
Over three-quarters (70%) of millennials and Generation Z place great importance on sharing values, particularly in regards to the LGBTQ+ community.
Millennials are more likely than Generation Z to ask a new match on a date within 1-2 days, while Generation Z is more likely to wait for a match to initiate contact.
Both generations prioritize financial security and stability when considering entering a relationship, with 30% reporting that their financial situation impacts their dating decisions.
Although both generations equally value personality when choosing a partner, they differ in their priorities for income and wealth.
Wealth was a less important factor for Generation Z compared to millennials when considering dating factors.
Nearly half of both millennials and Generation Z prefer long-distance relationships, with 50% of millennials and 57% of Generation Z open to the idea.
More than half of both millennials and Generation Z believe that love can develop over a video date, with 42% of millennials and 56% of Generation Z expressing this view.

Millennials and Generation Z Online Dating

The survey reveals interesting trends in how both generations approach online dating:

Around 83% of millennials spend up to two hours each day on dating apps.
A majority (90%) of Generation Z express frustration with online dating platforms.
Around 50% of Tinder users are part of Generation Z, with 40% of them planning to continue using digital dating post-pandemic.
During the pandemic, around 40% of Generation Z users turned to Tinder seeking meaningful connections outside of their personal echo chambers.
Both millennials and Generation Z predominantly use mobile apps for online dating, and over 74% utilize online dating apps at least weekly.

Marriage Trends Among Millennials and Generation Z

The survey sheds light on marriage trends among millennials and Generation Z:

16% of engaged Generation Z couples meet online, compared to 26% of millennial couples.
For Generation Z, the most common way to meet their future spouse was through college or graduate school, while for millennials it was online dating.
A sizable proportion of engaged Generation Z couples (17%) met in high school, while the same was true for only 6% of millennial couples.
Around 18% of both millennials and Generation Z met through mutual friends, and 14% met at work.
Both generations place a high value on sharing educational credentials, with close to three-quarters (75%) of both groups marrying someone with a college degree.
Millennials have a 24% lower divorce rate compared to 1981.
Generation Z anticipates getting married at the age of 27, but data suggests they will marry at a later age.
Millennials expect to get married by the age of 32, but data suggests they will marry later than Generation Z.

These findings reveal that while both millennials and Generation Z face frustrations with online dating and seek long-lasting connections, they differ in some aspects of their dating habits, such as their openness to long-distance relationships and the emphasis they place on wealth when considering a partner. Moreover, both generations show a larger divorce rate compared to older generations, and fewer of them are currently married compared to previous generations at the same age.

A significant number of millennials (72%) and Generation Z (75%) value their independence and choose to remain single, while millennials are less likely to be married compared to older generations.
Both generations utilize online dating apps, with millennials spending up to two hours each day on these platforms, and a majority of Generation Z expressing frustration with online dating.
Millennials place a higher importance on wealth when choosing a partner, while Generation Z prioritizes financial security and stability.
Both generations find people who speak multiple languages more attractive, with close to three-quarters of both groups marrying someone with a college degree.
Attitudes towards cheating and open relationships are more liberal among both generations, with both valuing sharing values, particularly concerning the LGBTQ+ community.
When it comes to first dates, millennials commonly opt for grabbing coffee, while Generation Z trends towards more traditional dates like dinner or a movie.
The most popular reason for ghosting among both generations is avoiding confrontation, with approximately 56% of both experiencing this phenomenon.
Among Generation Z, a smaller percentage engages in casual sex compared to previous generations, and they prioritize environmental issues and believe in splitting the costs of dating.
Both generations are interested in pursuing education-and-self-development, politics, fashion-and-beauty, art, technology, and general-news, influencing their relationships and lifestyle choices.