34 Fascinating Dating Statistics to Help You Find Love in 2024

Sometimes, in the modern dating world, you want to know where you stack up against others like you. For example, where do couples meet these days? Are others having the same dating experiences as you? And do you share similar attitudes and preferences toward dating as others your age?

While we don’t think it’s good to compare yourself to others all the time, we don’t think it hurts to take a temperature on everyone else every now and then. That’s why we’ve rounded up some of the most interesting dating statistics in 2024 to help you see the bigger picture. We’ve revealed some of the most current dating app statistics, trends, and numbers on relationships to showcase what the dating scene is like in 2024. 

Follow along to see what others are saying about online dating and finding love this year and into the future. 

1. Most couples are meeting online

Where do couples meet? According to one study, nearly 50% of couples are meeting online these days through dating apps and websites. The next reported popular way to meet is through friends, followed by meeting at concerts and festivals or on social media. As for the least likely places they meet, respondents reported not having much luck at the grocery store or on public transportation. 

2. Gen X is having the most online dating success compared to other generations

Of the online daters between the ages of 43 and 58, 72% reported that online dating had led to a romantic relationship.

3. One-third of people have used a dating site or app to find love

Online dating continues to be a viable method for finding love. On average, 3 in 10 adults living in the United States say that they have used a dating site or app. These numbers are slightly higher among 18- to 29-year-olds (53%) than among 30- to 49-year olds (37%). Those who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual are also more likely than those who identify as straight to use these dating platforms (51% vs. 28%).

4. Nearly 40% of male-female relationships are now started online

In a study of American adults, researchers found that 39% of heterosexual relationships begin through dating sites or apps. With people leading busier, more technology-focused lives, using digital tools for finding love is becoming more common.

5. Over half of same-sex relationships start online

For the LQBTQIA+ community, finding love through apps and websites is even more common. According to the same study, 60% of same-sex relationships start online. This may be because of the lingering stigmas surrounding these relationships, allowing people to truly be free to find a match without worrying about bigotry due to how they identify. 

6. The majority of people use dating sites with the hopes of finding their future spouse

According to recent dating app statistics, 42% of online daters use the platforms with the main goal of finding someone to marry, which means not everyone is using these apps just for casual dating or hookups. 

7. Some people do find love on the dating apps

There is hope when it comes to online dating! Dating app statistics suggest over 13% of those using online dating platforms got engaged to or married a person they met on the apps, which suggests it is possible to have success through online dating. 

8. Dating apps can make it easier to find love

Finding a partner isn’t always a walk in the park, and that’s likely the reason why many people turn to dating apps in the first place. After all, dating apps can help connect you with people you might not otherwise organically meet. Of those surveyed, 42% said online dating has made their search for finding a partner easier. 

9. People are meeting their matches in person

Many virtual meet-ups are turning into in-person meet-ups, with 77% of online daters reporting having gone on a date in real life with someone they met online. This goes to show that online dating can be a viable way to meet people even if they don’t end up being the one. 

10. Online daters are drawn to a sense of purpose

Recent research found that those who have a higher sense of purpose tend to be more committed to their relationships. Therefore, when online daters highlight their sense of purpose and include their core values in their profiles, they are often more sought after.

11. Online daters want to be seen and known, too

Another study found that some of the most successful online dating profiles stated the desire to want to know their romantic partner. This is because being known and understood by your partner is considered an attractive quality. With this in mind, including this kind of messaging in one’s dating profile could potentially increase their odds of finding a match. 

12. Many people use online dating sites for non-romantic reasons

Of those who have recently turned to online dating apps, 44% of them did so to find an exclusive partner. However, other reasons for being on the apps included casually dating, finding someone to hook up with, or even simply making new friends. 

13. Not every online dater is single

We were surprised to see that a recent survey of Tinder users found that 65% of them were already in a relationship or married! While this isn’t the case for everyone online, it does make an argument for using paid services and hiring matchmakers to help weed out the less serious daters. 

14. Preferences in dating apps vary by age

When you look at dating app statistics, you’ll find that a person’s age will often dictate what online platform they use. For instance, the majority of online daters between the ages of 18 and 29 have used Tinder, while those 50 years and older tend to use Match as their go-to platform. 

15. Men report having more positive online dating experiences than women

When asked about their online dating experiences, 57% of men rated it positively, while only 48% of women said the same. Below, we’ll address what might be causing this disparity.

16. The majority of women 30 years and younger have experienced poor behavior on the apps

What’s causing these unpleasant interactions? Of the women who had negative experiences with online dating, the majority of them had been sent unwanted sexually explicit messages, while other reasons included having continued contact with someone they weren’t interested in, being called offensive names, and receiving threats of physical harm.

17. Unfortunately, sexual harassment isn’t uncommon on the dating apps, too

A 2024 study found that sexual harassment is prevalent on the dating apps, occurring both on the online platforms and in person after meeting on an app. Women and those who identify as sexual minorities are at a higher risk of experiencing this kind of abuse.

18.  People are willing to pay to find love

While many online dating platforms are free, some charge fees for certain features or exclusive services. A recent study revealed that 22% of online daters under 30 have paid to use a dating platform, while 41% of online daters 30 years and older have done the same. 

19. People are split on whether dating algorithms work

Nowadays, some of the more advanced dating platforms are incorporating algorithms and artificial intelligence to help make more accurate connections. However, not everyone trusts their ability to make matches. One poll found that 35% of responders did not think an algorithm could help people find love, with another 43% reported  being unsure, which suggests people are still skeptical of this technology. 

20. Most people have lied or exaggerated on their online dating and app profiles

Research shows that four out of five have admitted to stretching the truth in some way while looking for love online. This goes as a reminder to not always trust everything you read on someone’s dating profile.

21. Ghosting is common on dating apps and websites

If you look at recent relationship statistics, it’s clear that ghosting continues to be an issue. Ghosting refers to when someone abruptly ends a relationship without telling the other person. The results of one study showed 76% of online daters had ghosted or been ghosted, suggesting that people prefer to disappear than have an honest conversation with their partner. According to the study, Rhode Island experienced the most cases of ghosting while Oregon reported the least number of cases.

22. Nearly half of Americans are single

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 46% of Americans 18 years and older are unmarried, meaning there are roughly 117.6 million singles still out there! That relationship statistic is great news for those still looking for love. 

23. Online dating isn’t going anywhere

Some predictions suggest the popularity of online dating will increase by nearly 9% between 2022 and 2028, reaching 5.3 million downloads. This could mean new dating platforms will continue to hit the scene, providing more opportunities for people to make connections. 

24. Love is a stressful topic for some

If you tap into relationship statistics, you’ll discover that 47% of people feel stressed about their love lives. Unfortunately, it appears the younger generations are experiencing the most stress around love, as 70% of Gen Z reported feeling stressed out about their love lives, compared to only 27% of Baby Boomers who expressed the same sentiments. 

25. Politics plays an important role in finding love

As the nation continues to be politically divided, this division seems to be playing out on the dating apps, too. One report found that 65% of Democrats would be less likely to date a Republican, while 62% of Republicans said the same about dating a Democrat. Nearly half of both Republicans and Democrats expressed more interest in dating someone who shared their political beliefs. 

26. Fast dating is out—slow dating is in

The trend of going on as many dates as possible seems to be fizzling out. According to 2024 dating statistics, one in three preferred slow dating. This intentional dating approach favors quality over quantity and is seen as a way to help protect and preserve one’s mental health while dating. 

27. Age is just a number

It seems age gaps are considered less taboo these days, with 35% of women saying they’re feeling less judgmental toward age differences in relationships. In fact, 59% of women reported they were open to the idea of dating someone younger. This potentially opens up more opportunities for finding love! 

28. Looks and personality continue to be important

Of all the factors to consider when dating, 50% of those polled stated looks and personality are equally important. When broken down further, men rated looks as slightly more important than personality, with women stating the opposite. 

29. Most people aren’t willing to go the distance

When it comes to dating someone who lives out of state, more than two-thirds of respondents said they were somewhat or less likely to date that person. While it’s not necessarily a dealbreaker, it does suggest the majority of people prefer to date someone who lives in the near vicinity. 

30. Couples are saying “I love you” within four to six months

Not sure when to say those three words? One survey revealed that four to six months is the sweet spot for most couples. Only 14% of respondents preferred waiting until the seven- to nine-month mark.

31. Couples are waiting two or more years to get married

It seems people are preferring to take their time when it comes to falling in love and getting married. One study found that 70% of couples are waiting two or more years before getting married, with two to five years being the most common time frame. 

32. More than half of people using dating apps and websites talk to multiple people at once

Finding a one-on-one connection online is challenging because there are always more people to connect with. Half of people on online platforms talk to two to five people at once, while 19% of users have talked to at least 11 different people at one time. 

33. Not all users are successful on these digital dating platforms

While many people do find love on the dating apps, that’s not the case for everyone. According to one poll, of those who gave online dating a try, 28% said it did not lead to a romantic relationship. 

34. Dating apps offer hope for divorcees

Divorcees are looking for love on dating websites and platforms, too. One study found that 41% of divorced men and 31% of divorced women are turning to online dating after ending their marriages. 

These relationship and dating app statistics paint a nuanced picture of the love-finding journey. For some, searching through online dating profiles or swiping right may help them feel more in control of their romantic lives. For others, the same activity can be time-consuming and even frustrating.

Furthermore, some are reporting having positive experiences and even landing themselves in exclusive relationships, while others are facing ghosting, bullying, and sexual harassment. 

If you’re finding yourself struggling with online dating, you might want to opt for a more targeted approach, like modern matchmaking, to help you avoid some of the cringeworthy aspects of digital dating. Using a service like Tawkify may help you narrow down your prospects and lead to a higher chance of dating success, especially if you’re looking for a long-term relationship.