A new 2026 report reveals that only 30% of young Americans are dating, citing low confidence, money struggles, and past relationship setbacks.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — A severe economic downturn, paired with widespread emotional burnout and a lack of social confidence, has triggered what researchers are calling a nationwide "dating recession" among unmarried young adults, according to a report released by the Wheatley Institute and the Institute for Family Studies.

A growing number of young Americans are opting out of dating altogether — not by choice, but by circumstance.

The 2026 national report on relationships found that only about 30% of U.S. young adults are actively dating, signaling what researchers describe as a “dating recession” during prime relationship years. The findings come from the “State of Our Unions” study, based on a nationally representative survey of 5,275 unmarried adults ages 22 to 35.

Despite widespread interest in long-term relationships, most respondents said they do not date regularly—and many struggle to even get started.

Low confidence and money concerns block dating

Researchers identified a mix of financial and emotional barriers driving the decline.

More than half of respondents — 52% — said they lack enough money to date, making it the most commonly cited obstacle. Nearly half also reported low confidence (49%) and negative past experiences (48%) as major barriers. “Only about one in three young adults expressed much faith in their dating skills,” the report found, highlighting a widespread lack of confidence in approaching potential partners and building relationships.

The data suggests the issue is not a lack of desire but a gap between expectations and real-world dating ability.

Most want love—but struggle to find it

Contrary to popular narratives, the study found most young adults still want meaningful relationships.

About 83% of women and 74% of men said they prefer a dating culture focused on serious relationships and emotional connection rather than casual encounters. At the same time, roughly half of respondents said they are interested in starting a relationship—but only a fraction are actually dating.

That disconnect reflects what researchers describe as a “marital-expectations vs. dating-skills gap.”

Past heartbreak shaping future decisions

The report also found that past relationships are shaping current behavior. More than half of respondents — 55% — said breakups made them more reluctant to start new relationships, while 45% said they had passed up opportunities because of prior negative experiences. Only 28% said they feel able to stay positive after a bad dating experience, underscoring what researchers call low “dating resilience.”

The report shows that young Americans still believe in love, but many feel unprepared to pursue it.

Researchers say reversing the trend will require more than dating apps or cultural shifts. Instead, they argue young adults need practical support—including communication skills, confidence-building, and affordable ways to date.