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By Suzanne Blake
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Gen Z is far more likely to be single than any other generation, according to a new report from Coupon Birds.
While only 28 percent of millennials said they were single in the survey of 2,000 U.S. adults, a whopping 46 percent of Gen Z were without a partner.
Why It Matters
Gen Z has been considered the loneliest generation, with those aged 13 to 28 years old facing more economic strife and workforce disruption in the last several years as well.
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A recent study from GWI found roughly eight in 10 members of Gen Z said they had experienced feelings of loneliness over the last year. That was compared with 72 percent of millennials, 60 percent of Gen Xers and 45 percent of baby boomers.
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What To Know
It was far more common for Gen Z-ers to be single, according to a new survey from Coupon Birds. Just under half, 46 percent of Gen Z was single, the survey found. That compared to 28 percent of millennials, 26 percent of Gen Xers and 22 percent of baby boomers.
Gen Z's singleness is not necessarily about being lost or unlucky in love, HR consultant and generational expert BryanDriscoll told Newsweek.
"It's about priorities," Driscoll said. "Marriage and relationships were once seen as economic necessities. Today, Gen Z is choosing independence, self-care, and financial security over outdated expectations. They're rejecting the idea that a traditional relationship is the default path to happiness."
Young people have been considerably more likely to link being single with positive aspects of their life. In a recent Tinder survey, 81 percent of young adults said that being single benefits them in a positive way when it comes to career, friendships, fitness and hobbies.
However, recent data has also shown that women might be more likely to willingly choose single life than their male counterparts. A recent Pew Research study revealed among men under age 30, more than 60 percent were single. That's roughly twice that of women in the same age group.
What People Are Saying
Jonathan Kirkland, head of brand & marketing for dating platform BLK, told Newsweek: "Gen Z is redefining relationships on their own terms, and for many, that means prioritizing platonic connections just as much—if not more—than romantic ones. Unlike previous generations, they're not rushing into traditional dating structures but instead are focusing on self-discovery, community, and deep, meaningful friendships...
"At the end of the day, Gen Z is young and having fun. They're in no rush to settle down, and honestly, they're rejecting the idea that being single is a bad thing. Whether they're focused on school, work or just having fun with their social circles, they're making the most of their 20s without feeling pressured to lock anything down before they're ready."
HR consultant and generational expert Bryan Driscoll told Newsweek: "Unlike previous generations, Gen Z grew up watching their parents get crushed by the economic realities of capitalism—skyrocketing housing costs, student debt and a work culture that demands 24/7 availability. They're not eager to jump into relationships that could tether them to financial instability or traditional gender roles that don't serve them."
Sean Leonard, nurse practitioner at Healthy Life Recovery, told Newsweek: "Many grew up witnessing divorce or unhappy marriages, fostering caution about long-term relationships...Social media and dating apps create unrealistic expectations and promote casual connections over commitment."
Hallie Kritsas, a licensed mental health counselor with Thriveworks, told Newsweek: "Gen Z's or zoomers are more likely to be single because they don't derive happiness from being in a relationship. Those who are younger feel less affected by the stigma of being single and don't feel forced to be in a relationship. They typically reach developmental milestones like getting engaged, married, or having children later in life compared to older generations who hit these milestones younger. Further, Gen-Z individuals also prefer being secure in themselves and have more of a sense of autonomy."
What Happens Next
The younger generation could be sparking a cultural shift where marriage rates continue to decline and the nuclear family model becomes increasingly irrelevant.
"Instead, we'll see more communal living, chosen families and alternative relationship structures that align with Gen Z's values of autonomy and mutual respect," Driscoll said. "If older generations want to blame Gen Z for killing relationships, maybe they should ask themselves why young people don't see relationships as a safe or beneficial investment anymore."
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