The post Dating Interest Remains Strong, But New Survey Shows Many Young Adults Are Dating Less Often first appeared on Crafting Your Home.
A new survey suggests that wanting a relationship and actively dating are not always the same thing.
Among unmarried Americans ages 22 to 35, interest in connection and future marriage remains high, but regular dating appears less common, according to a 2025 National Dating Landscape Survey published in February 2026 by the Institute for Family Studies.
The survey found that only about one in three respondents in this age group reported dating regularly. Researchers surveyed 5,275 unmarried adults ages 22 to 35, and 31% said they went on dates at least once a month. The report also found that about 30% said they were dating casually or exclusively at the time of the survey.
The findings highlight a gap between relationship goals and dating activity. Many respondents said they were open to starting relationships, even though fewer reported frequent dating. About 51% of survey respondents said they were single and interested in beginning a relationship.
For everyday readers watching how dating habits are changing, the survey offers a closer look at how expectations, personal experiences, and practical concerns may shape the way people approach relationships.
Many Still Hope for Long-Term Relationships
The survey does not suggest that interest in commitment has disappeared. In fact, most respondents said they expected marriage someday.
Researchers found that 86% of the 5,275 unmarried respondents said they expected to marry eventually. However, the survey noted that this reflects expectations rather than a prediction about whether those marriages will happen.
Interest in serious relationships was also common among participants. The report found that 83% of women and 74% of men supported dating with the goal of forming serious relationships. It also found that 83% of women and 76% of men supported creating emotional connections through dating.
These results suggest that many people still value meaningful relationships, but fewer may be actively participating in dating regularly.
The survey also found differences in dating frequency between men and women in the sample. About 74% of women and 64% of men said they had not dated or had only dated a few times during the previous year.
Related: Modern Dating Is Broken: Why So Many Americans Are Giving Up on Love
Money, Confidence and Past Experiences Reported as Barriers
When respondents were asked about obstacles to dating, several concerns appeared repeatedly.
The survey found that 52% of respondents listed not having enough money as a barrier to dating. Other commonly reported challenges included lack of confidence (49%) and negative past dating experiences (48%).
The findings represent what respondents identified as barriers rather than proof that any single factor causes people to date less often.
Confidence was another area explored in the survey. Researchers found that 37% of respondents said they trusted their judgment when choosing a dating partner, while 34% felt confident discussing feelings with a dating partner. Additionally, 36% felt confident reading social cues, and 29% of men and 21% of women reported feeling confident approaching someone they liked.
Past relationships also appeared to influence how some respondents viewed future dating. The survey found that 55% said breakups made them more reluctant to start new romantic relationships, while 45% said bad previous experiences led them to pass up new opportunities.
Related: How to Plan Your Finances and Build Long-Term Wealth
A Changing Dating Landscape
The survey’s findings come as dating habits continue to receive attention, with researchers examining why some people who want relationships may not be dating as often.
A separate BMO survey of 2,501 U.S. adults found that half of single Americans had reduced dating frequency or chosen less expensive activities because of rising costs.
The main survey behind the dating discussion focused specifically on unmarried U.S. adults ages 22 to 35. It did not cover all young people, all generations, or everyone who identifies as single.
Researchers also emphasized that the term “actively dating” has a specific definition in the report. It refers to dating at least once per month, meaning the figure should not be interpreted as saying that only 31% of respondents had dated at all.
For readers trying to understand modern dating patterns, the survey offers one important takeaway: relationship interest and dating behavior can move in different directions.
Many respondents still expressed interest in connection, emotional relationships, and marriage, but the path toward those goals may look different from previous generations. The report provides a snapshot of how unmarried adults ages 22 to 35 described their experiences, challenges, and expectations at a particular moment in time.
As conversations about dating continue, the findings show the importance of looking beyond simple headlines and paying attention to what people actually report about their experiences.
Other posts you might like
- Gen Z Isn’t Quitting Dating Apps, but Offline Dating Is Gaining Ground
-
Why Love Alone May Not Be Enough to Build a Healthy Relationship
If you like what you just read, then subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media.
