Why Gen Z is Opting Out of the Modern Dating Market

A national research project from Brigham Young University’s Wheatley Institute and the Institute for Family Studies reveals that only 30% of young adults are actively dating. With 74% of young women and 64% of men reporting minimal to no dating activity over the past year, the trend reflects a broader disillusionment. In major urban centers like New York, the economic pressure is particularly acute, where BMO Financial Group data shows an average date night now costs over $200.

This creates a paradox: while a partner could theoretically provide financial relief—such as splitting rent in Manhattan, where couples can save over $25,000 annually—the entry cost to find that partner remains prohibitively high. Grace Sakellariou, 27, describes the prospect of marriage as unattainable, noting that high costs have stunted social growth. As Cornell economist Benjamin Goldman suggests, the decline in dating may be a significant, under-discussed factor in why so many young professionals feel economically stalled in high-cost cities.