The Great Romance Slump
Why are so few young people finding love?
The Great Romance Slump describes a shift in modern relationships, as fewer young adults are finding romantic partners or engaging in traditional courtship rituals. The Financial Times reports a steep decline in the proportion of 25-to-34-year-olds in marriages or cohabiting partnerships, from 10 to over 20 percentage points since 1980.
A 2025 YouGov poll found that 69% of single adults under 40 rarely or never go on dates. Despite the abundance of dating apps and events, many people feel that romance has become scarce. One attendee at The Feels, a mindful singles event in Manhattan, expressed discomfort with the process and struggled to connect with others. The decline in romantic relationships is attributed to various factors, including the availability of alternative paths to fulfillment and the changing societal norms around marriage and partnership.
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