The State of Online Dating 2026: Online Dating & Dating App Statistics United States vs. the World 2026

Name: The State of Online Dating 2026
Creator: DatingScout
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Country vs country

vs.

The online dating industry in numbers

8.2 billion USD

combined annual revenue of 73 companies

3.49 billion USD

Match Group, the biggest company

1.86 billion USD

Tinder, the biggest single service

55%

earned by companies from USA

Full online dating industry market analysis →

Findings worth a headline

USA
38.5%of online daters in the USA want a long-term relationship in 2026; Hungary leads worldwide with 70.1%, Singapore is lowest at 31.9%.
USA
21.8%of people looking for a dating site in the USA in 2026 are not single (married, in a relationship or “it’s complicated”); worldwide it peaks at 37.9% in Italy and is lowest at 14.5% in France.
USA
21.1%of online daters in the USA want casual dating in 2026, 38.5% a long-term relationship; casual outranks long-term only in Spain (38.8% vs 36.8%).
World
64.6%of online daters in 2026 have never met a match in person; 35.4% have met at least one person and 4.3% say a relationship came out of online dating.
World
17.2%of women aged 18 to 29 looking for a dating site in 2026 name sugar dating as their goal, compared with 1.2% of women aged 45 and older.
USA
30.1%of people looking for a dating site in the USA in 2026 are women and 69.9% are men; worldwide the most women are found in Hungary (46.2%), the fewest in Spain (19.6%).
World
8.2 billion USDis the combined annual revenue of the 73 companies behind the dating services DatingScout reviews; Match Group alone earns 43% of it.

What singles search online

Relationship goals

Long-term relationships

38.5%

–

Casual relationships

21.1%

–

Flirting and fun dates

12.8%

–

Exploring my options

13.1%

–

Swinging & Open Relationships

4.9%

–

BDSM & Fetish dating

4.4%

–

Sugar Dating

5.1%

–

Polyamorous relationships

0.2%

–

Share who want a long-term relationship, by country

Hungary

70.1%

Denmark

64.6%

Sweden

59%

Brazil

53.4%

Finland

52.4%

Austria

46.6%

France

46.4%

Switzerland

46%

Germany

44.4%

New Zealand

41.4%

39.5%

USA

38.5%

Spain

36.8%

Netherlands

36.4%

Australia

35.1%

Hong Kong

34.5%

Italy

32.5%

Singapore

31.9%

Spain is the only edition where casual outranks long-term (38.8% vs 36.8%). In Brazil, Denmark, Finland, Hungary and Sweden more than half of all online daters want commitment.
DatingScout, The State of Online Dating 2026

Cheating? Not everyone searching is single

Relationship status

USA

Single78.2%–

Married10.1%–

It’s Complicated6.8%–

In a Relationship4.9%–

21.8%USA

of online daters say they are not single: married, in a relationship, or “it’s complicated”.

Share of online daters who already have a partner, by country

Italy

37.9%

Switzerland

33.9%

Germany

31.1%

Singapore

29.9%

Netherlands

29.3%

Austria

28.8%

Australia

27.4%

26%

Hong Kong

25.5%

Spain

23%

New Zealand

22.9%

USA

21.8%

Finland

19.6%

Sweden

19%

Denmark

18.7%

Brazil

18.4%

Hungary

16.8%

France

14.5%

Italy (37.9%) has the most attached searchers, followed by Switzerland 33.9% and Germany 31.1%. France is the outlier at 14.5%.
DatingScout, The State of Online Dating 2026

Countries compared: where commitment is the norm

Want a long-term relationship

38.5%USA

44.4%Germany

Want casual dating

21.1%USA

23.8%Germany

Men / women ratio

MenWomen

USA

70%

30%

Germany

76%

24%

Average age

39.4USA

46.1Germany

Not single

21.8%USA

31.1%Germany

All countries

Rank by

Country	Long-term	Casual dating	Men / women	Avg. age	Not single
Hungary	70.1%	18%	54 / 46	46.1	16.8%
Denmark	64.6%	19.8%	59 / 42	50	18.7%
Sweden	59%	15.5%	59 / 42	49.4	19%
Brazil	53.4%	23.7%	54 / 46	43.3	18.4%
Finland	52.4%	22.9%	75 / 25	47.7	19.6%
Austria	46.6%	24.5%	75 / 25	45.5	28.8%
France	46.4%	34.8%	70 / 30	40.6	14.5%
Switzerland	46%	24.7%	73 / 27	46.9	33.9%
Germany	44.4%	23.8%	76 / 24	46.1	31.1%
New Zealand	41.4%	19%	69 / 31	44.6	22.9%
UK	39.5%	22.8%	72 / 28	44.5	26%
USA	38.5%	21.1%	70 / 30	39.4	21.8%
Spain	36.8%	38.8%	80 / 20	42.6	23%
Netherlands	36.4%	17.9%	79 / 21	47.6	29.3%
Australia	35.1%	28.4%	77 / 23	45.6	27.4%
Hong Kong	34.5%	21.1%	75 / 25	37.3	25.5%
Italy	32.5%	32.3%	77 / 23	46.9	37.9%
Singapore	31.9%	23.2%	74 / 26	35.8	29.9%

Does online dating actually work?

People met in person via online dating

Nobody yet

–

1 to 3 people

–

4 to 10 people

–

More than 10 people

–

A relationship came out of it

–

Reading the numbers

2 in 3

say the conversation stays chat only: they have never met an online match in person.

35.4%

have met at least one person; 3.9% have met more than ten.

4.3%

say a relationship came out of it, roughly one in 8 of those who met someone.

Sugar dating, swinging & BDSM: who wants what

Swinging & Open Relationships

4.9%USA–

BDSM & Fetish dating

4.4%USA–

Sugar Dating

5.1%USA–

Polyamorous relationships

0.2%USA–

Men vs. women: USA

MenWomen

Swinging & Open Relationships

6.1%

2.2%

men 2.8× as often

BDSM & Fetish dating

5.2%

2.3%

men 2.3× as often

Sugar Dating

4.2%

6.9%

women 1.6× as often

Polyamorous relationships

0.2%

0.1%

men 2× as often

17.2% of women aged 18-29 name sugar dating as their goal, among women 45 and older it is just 1.2%.
DatingScout, The State of Online Dating 2026

What rules someone out instantly

Deal-breakers

Uses drugs

–

Has high debt

–

Drinks too much

–

Smokes regularly

–

Is significantly overweight

–

Wants an open relationship

–

Still lives with parents

–

Has an OnlyFans account

–

Is unemployed

–

Cheated in a past relationship

–

Has had many sexual partners

–

Spends hours a day on social media

–

None of these

–

Is too short for me

–

Already has children

–

Has opposite political views

–

Goes to therapy

–

Has a different religion

–

Doesn’t want children

–

Asked what rules a match out instantly, only 16.3% say none of these applies. The top deal-breaker, “Uses drugs”, is named by 53.5%, 11 times as often as “Doesn’t want children” (4.9%).
DatingScout, The State of Online Dating 2026

Would you date someone who…

Men vs. women: yes or no: World

YesNo

Would you be in a relationship with someone who publishes erotic content on OnlyFans? World

Men

54.7%

45.3%

Women

23.1%

76.9%

Could you imagine an open relationship? World

Men

52.1%

47.9%

Women

32.4%

67.6%

Would you date someone who cheated in a previous relationship? World

Men

69.9%

30.1%

Women

29%

71%

Would you date someone who smokes regularly? World

Men

64.9%

35.1%

Women

44.2%

55.8%

Would you date someone who is currently unemployed? World

Men

75.9%

24.1%

Women

36.8%

63.2%

Would you date someone who earns much less than you? World

Men

82.6%

17.4%

Women

54.5%

45.5%

Would you date someone with completely different political views? World

Men

81.3%

18.7%

Women

64.7%

35.3%

Would you date someone who uses AI to write their dating messages? World

Men

55.4%

44.6%

Women

38.5%

61.5%

Would you date someone who has children from a previous relationship? World

Men

70.6%

29.4%

Women

64.1%

35.9%

USA: not enough answers yet, the world is shown

Does it matter to you how many people your partner has slept with?

World

Men

63.5%

14.9%

8.1%

13.5%

Women

44.4%

11.1%

41.7%

No, not at all63.5%44.4%
Yes, I prefer little sexual experience14.9%2.8%
Yes, a high number would rule them out8.1%11.1%
I don’t want to know the number13.5%41.7%

USA: not enough answers yet, the world is shown

How much older or younger may your partner be?

World

Men

16.7%

30.6%

16.7%

36.1%

Women

35%

25%

10%

30%

About my age (up to 5 years)16.7%35%
Up to 10 years older or younger30.6%25%
More than 10 years is fine16.7%10%
Age doesn’t matter36.1%30%

USA: not enough answers yet, the world is shown

Do you want to get married one day?

World

Men

23.2%

27.5%

33.3%

15.9%

Women

24.3%

40.5%

24.3%

10.8%

Yes, definitely23.2%24.3%
Maybe, with the right person27.5%40.5%
No, marriage isn’t for me33.3%24.3%
I don’t care either way15.9%10.8%

USA: not enough answers yet, the world is shown

Who should pay on the first date?

World

Men

17.9%

37.2%

41%

Women

15.2%

33.3%

48.5%

Whoever asked for the date17.9%15.2%
The man37.2%33.3%
Split the bill41%48.5%
Whoever earns more3.8%3%

USA: not enough answers yet, the world is shown

How tall should your partner be at least?

World

Men

59.2%

18.4%

Women

36.1%

19.4%

22.2%

8.3%

Height doesn’t matter59.2%36.1%
At least 5 ft 3 in18.4%5.6%
At least 5 ft 7 in7.9%19.4%
At least 5 ft 9 in6.6%2.8%
At least 5 ft 11 in1.3%22.2%
At least 6 ft 1 in3.9%8.3%
At least 6 ft 3 in2.6%5.6%

USA: not enough answers yet, the world is shown

And how tall are you?

World

Men

15.8%

46.1%

26.3%

Women

27.8%

33.3%

36.1%

Under 5 ft 3 in6.6%27.8%
5 ft 3 in to 5 ft 6 in15.8%33.3%
5 ft 7 in to 5 ft 10 in46.1%36.1%
5 ft 11 in to 6 ft 2 in26.3%0%
6 ft 3 in or more5.3%2.8%

USA: not enough answers yet, the world is shown

What they want in a partner

Most-wanted personality traits

Sense of humor

44.1%

–

Open-minded

49.9%

–

Compassionate

40.1%

–

Verified profile

33.9%

–

Loves traveling

28.3%

–

Enjoys cooking

24.4%

–

Homeowner

26.3%

–

Into music/musician

21.1%

–

Family-oriented

21.8%

–

Enjoys reading

17.6%

–

Most-wanted physical traits

Long hair

41.6%

–

Slim build

29.3%

–

Doesn’t matter

33.9%

–

Athletic build

26.3%

–

Curvy

29.6%

–

Short hair

24.5%

–

Tall

23.4%

–

Clean-shaven

15.8%

–

Short

16.8%

–

Tattoos

13.3%

–

Where men and women differ most in what they want in a partner: USA

MenWomen

Share of men and of women who want this trait in a partner, sorted by the gap in percentage points.

Partner: Homeowner

19%

40.6%

Partner: Loves traveling

23.1%

39%

Partner: Family-oriented

18%

29.9%

Partner: Religious

9.2%

19.7%

Partner: Tech-savvy/gamer

16.1%

9.2%

Partner: Enjoys reading

15.3%

21.8%

Partner: Verified profile

36%

30%

Partner: Introverted/quiet

17.3%

11.3%

Who’s actually dating online

69.9%USA

men

30.1%USA

women

39USA

years old on average

34.6%USA

Millennials, the largest generation

Age

15.5%

–

28.7%

–

20.2%

–

17.7%

–

11.6%

–

6.1%

–

18-24

25-34

35-44

45-54

55-64

65+

Generation

Gen Z

30%

–

Millennials

36.9%

–

Gen X

24.7%

–

Baby Boomers

8.3%

–

Men / women, by country

Hungary

54 / 46

Brazil

54 / 46

Denmark

59 / 42

Sweden

59 / 42

New Zealand

69 / 31

France

70 / 30

USA

70 / 30

72 / 28

Switzerland

73 / 27

Singapore

74 / 26

Austria

75 / 25

Hong Kong

75 / 25

Finland

75 / 25

Germany

76 / 24

Australia

77 / 23

Italy

77 / 23

Netherlands

79 / 21

Spain

80 / 20

MenWomen

69.9% men, 30.1% women among the online daters in the USA in 2026; Hungary has the most balanced pool at 54 / 46, Spain the most male-heavy at 80 / 20.
DatingScout, The State of Online Dating 2026

Average age, by country

Denmark

Sweden

Finland

Netherlands

Italy

Switzerland

Germany

Hungary

Australia

Austria

New Zealand

Brazil

Spain

France

USA

Hong Kong

Singapore

Hungary (46.2%) is closest to gender parity, followed by Brazil 45.7% and Denmark 41.5%. Singapore has the youngest respondents at 35.8 years on average, Denmark the oldest at 50.
DatingScout, The State of Online Dating 2026

Children: have them, want them?

Children

I have children, no more planned

–

No children, and I don’t want any

–

No children, and I want them

–

Undecided

–

I have children and want more

–

41.7% already have children; 24.4% want children or more of them. 23.6% are decided against.
DatingScout, The State of Online Dating 2026

Education, work & background

Education

College Graduate/Bachelor’s Degree

28.5%

–

Postgraduate (Master’s or PhD)

18.6%

–

High School Graduate

18.4%

–

Some College

19.3%

–

Vocational/Technical Training

5.6%

–

Other

9.5%

–

Work status

Full-time Employee

47.7%

–

Part-time Employee

13.1%

–

Unemployed

14.8%

–

Entrepreneur

13.8%

–

Freelancer

10.6%

–

Retired

–

Ethnicity

White

65.4%

–

Asian

8.8%

–

Mixed/Other

8.1%

–

Latin

5.4%

–

Black

6.3%

–

Indian

4.5%

–

Arabic

1.5%

–

Free or paid? How singles use dating apps

Time available for dating

I can spend a few hours a week

39.4%

–

I have plenty of time to dedicate

44.7%

–

I have limited time

15.9%

–

Preferred type of dating site

Free with ads

51.6%

–

Affordable options

31.4%

–

Premium features

17.1%

–

18.9% would pay for premium features; 46.9% prefer free with ads.
DatingScout, The State of Online Dating 2026

How big is the online dating industry? Revenue, companies and brands

The most comprehensive online dating revenue analysis on the internet

8.2 billion USD

combined annual revenue of 73 companies

3.49 billion USD

Match Group, the biggest company

1.86 billion USD

Tinder, the biggest single service

55%

earned by companies from USA

Online dating industry revenue 2026: who earns the 8.2 billion USD? Match Group takes 43% of a market of 73 companies

Match Group

+12

43%

3.49 billion USD

Hello Group

Momo

18%

1.48 billion USD

Bumble Inc

FruitzBumble For Friends

12%

965.7 million USD

Grindr Inc

439.9 million USD

FriendFinder Networks Inc.

315.7 million USD

ParshipMeet Group

310.6 million USD

67 other companies

+168

15%

1.2 billion USD

The biggest dating companies by revenue, latest fiscal year

Match Group

3.49 billion USD

Hello Group

1.48 billion USD

Bumble Inc

965.7 million USD

Grindr Inc

439.9 million USD

FriendFinder Networks Inc. *

315.7 million USD

ParshipMeet Group

310.6 million USD

Spark Networks

187.8 million USD

PE Digital GmbH

120.1 million USD

Ruby Life Inc. *

83 million USD

Feeld

82.4 million USD

SDC Media LLC *

78.2 million USD

Matrimony.com Limited

54.7 million USD

Digital Innovation Network Sp. z o.o.

39.9 million USD

HAPPN

39.4 million USD

People Interactive (India) Private Limited *

36 million USD

The biggest dating services by revenue

Tinder

1.86 billion USD

Bumble

783 million USD

Hinge

690.9 million USD

Grindr

439.9 million USD

Badoo

182.6 million USD

Pure

100 million USD

Feeld

82.4 million USD

SDC *

78.2 million USD

Yubo

65.4 million USD

MilfArea

39.9 million USD

Happn

39.4 million USD

C-Date

32.5 million USD

Where dating revenue is earned: by the companies' home country

USA

4.51 billion USD

Germany

489.8 million USD

232.9 million USD

India

121.2 million USD

Luxembourg

59.9 million USD

France

45.2 million USD

Poland

39.9 million USD

Russia

17.7 million USD

Finland

13.1 million USD

Switzerland

12.7 million USD

Companies from USA earn 4.51 billion USD of the 8.2 billion USD: 55% of the market. Germany is a distant second with 489.8 million USD.
DatingScout, The State of Online Dating 2026

Revenue of the listed companies, 2020 to 2025

billion USD per fiscal year

Companies in the chart

Match GroupHello GroupBumble Inc

Revenue by service, 2020 to 2025

billion USD per fiscal year

Show the revenue of

TinderBumbleHinge

The companies behind the dating services in the USA

top 15 companies

Company	Services on this site	Revenue
Match GroupUSA	Hinge, Plenty of Fish, OkCupid, Match, Tinder, Chemistry, OurTime, DateHookUp, BlackPeopleMeet, ChristianMingle, Her, BBPeopleMeet, LDSPlanet, BlackChristianPeopleMeet, SeniorBlackPeopleMeet, LoveAndSeek, IndiaMatch, Lavalife, The League, BLK, Chispa, Pairs, Upward, Stir, Meetic ES, Azar DE, Zusammen.de DE, Lexa NL	3.49 billion USD2025
Hello Group	Tantan, Momo	1.48 billion USD2025
Bumble IncUSA	Badoo, Bumble, Fruitz, Bumble For Friends, Hot or Not DE, Chappy DE	965.7 million USD2025
Grindr Inc	Grindr	439.9 million USD2025
FriendFinder Networks Inc.USA	Adultfriendfinder, Collarspace, Sexfinder	315.7 million USD2026 *
ParshipMeet GroupGermany	eharmony, Tagged, MeetMe!, Lovoo, Skout, Parship, ElitePartner DE, eDarling DE, GayParship, AcademicSingles.ch DE	310.6 million USD2025
Spark NetworksUK	Zoosk, Jdate, SilverSingles, AttractiveWorld, LDS Singles, Lov, 60sDating, SilberSingles DE, EliteRencontre FR, ElitSinglar SV, Partner med Niveau DA, Elittars HU	187.8 million USD2022
Ruby Life Inc.Canada	Ashley Madison, ePassion	83 million USD2026 *
Feeld	Feeld	82.4 million USD2025
SDC Media LLCUSA	SDC	78.2 million USD2026 *
Matrimony.com LimitedIndia	BharatMatrimony, Kerala Matrimony, Tamil Matrimony, Doctors Matrimony	54.7 million USD2025
Digital Innovation Network Sp. z o.o.Poland	MilfArea	39.9 million USD2024
HAPPNFrance	Happn	39.4 million USD2024
People Interactive (India) Private LimitedIndia	Shaadi, Sangam	36 million USD2024 *
Interdate SALuxembourg	C-Date, C Date ES	32.5 million USD2025

How we get this revenue data

45 companies

Published figures, taken from annual reports, stock exchange filings and the company registers of each home country, latest fiscal year available.

28 companies *

Modelled by us where nothing is published: from visitor numbers, the published revenues of comparable companies, stock market data, company size and growth trends.

73 companies

Every company behind a dating service we review, checked again every month and converted at a fixed yearly rate. Quote freely with a link to this page.

* Estimate. Revenue figures of dating companies are almost impossible to find online, so we calculate them for you: comprehensive data analysis and calculation models that take into account the visitors of the services, the revenue figures that companies in the industry publish, stock market data, the size of the company, trends and other information we were able to take into account. Published figures come from the companies' annual reports, filings and the company registers of their home countries, the newest fiscal year per company. Figures are converted into USD at a fixed yearly rate. Free to quote with a link to this page.

Quick answers, ready to quote

What percentage of online daters want a long-term relationship?

According to the State of Online Dating 2026 by DatingScout (online daters surveyed worldwide), 40.9% of people looking for a dating site want a long-term relationship and 23.8% want something casual; the share wanting commitment ranges from 31.9% in Singapore to 70.1% in Hungary.

Which country has the most commitment-minded online daters?

According to the State of Online Dating 2026 by DatingScout (online daters surveyed worldwide), Hungary has the highest share of online daters seeking a long-term relationship at 70.1%, followed by Denmark (64.6%) and Sweden (59%); Singapore has the lowest at 31.9%.

How many people on dating sites are not single?

According to the State of Online Dating 2026 by DatingScout (online daters surveyed worldwide), 25.5% of people searching for a dating site are not single: 12.2% are married, 5.9% in a relationship and 7.4% say “it’s complicated”; the share peaks at 37.9% in Italy and is lowest in France at 14.5%.

What is the average age of online daters?

According to the State of Online Dating 2026 by DatingScout (online daters surveyed worldwide), the average online dater is 43 years old (median 43); Millennials is the largest generation at 34.6%, and the average age ranges from 35.8 in Singapore to 50 in Denmark.

What is the gender split on dating sites?

According to the State of Online Dating 2026 by DatingScout (online daters surveyed worldwide), 70.9% of people looking for a dating site are men and 27.4% are women; the most women are found in Hungary (46.2%), the fewest in Spain (19.6%).

How many online daters actually meet someone in person?

According to the State of Online Dating 2026 by DatingScout (online daters surveyed worldwide), 64.6% of online daters have never met a match in person, 35.4% have met at least one person, 3.9% have met more than ten, and 4.3% say a relationship came out of online dating.

What is the biggest deal-breaker in dating?

According to the State of Online Dating 2026 by DatingScout (online daters surveyed worldwide), the most common dating deal-breaker is “Uses drugs”, named by 53.5% of online daters, followed by “Has high debt” (44.1%) and “Drinks too much” (42%); only 16.3% have no deal-breaker at all.

Would people be in a relationship with someone with an OnlyFans account?

According to the State of Online Dating 2026 by DatingScout (online daters surveyed worldwide), 44.8% of online daters would be in a relationship with someone with an OnlyFans account outright or under conditions, 55.2% would rather not or never.

What do online daters look for in a partner?

According to the State of Online Dating 2026 by DatingScout (online daters surveyed worldwide), the most wanted partner traits are “Sense of humor” (51.8%) and “Open-minded” (50.2%), ahead of any physical trait; the most wanted physical trait is “Long hair” at 39.9%.

How common is sugar dating?

According to the State of Online Dating 2026 by DatingScout (online daters surveyed worldwide), 3.9% of all online daters name sugar dating as a goal, rising to 17.2% among women aged 18 to 29 and falling to 1.2% among women 45 and older.

Will online daters pay for a dating app?

According to the State of Online Dating 2026 by DatingScout (online daters surveyed worldwide), 18.9% of online daters are willing to pay for premium features, 34.2% want affordable options and 46.9% prefer a free service with ads.

How big is the online dating industry?

According to the State of Online Dating 2026 by DatingScout, the 73 companies behind the dating services it reviews earn a combined 8.2 billion USD a year; Match Group is the largest with 3.49 billion USD (43% of the total), and companies from USA account for 55% of industry revenue.

What is the highest-grossing dating app?

According to the State of Online Dating 2026 by DatingScout, Tinder is the highest-grossing dating app with 1.86 billion USD in annual revenue, ahead of Bumble (783 million USD) and Hinge (690.9 million USD).

Methodology

This page is based on what we ask our readers in 18 countries, constantly updated. All figures may be quoted freely, please link to this page as the source.

For the revenue figures we connect 8 different data sources. Revenue figures of dating companies are almost impossible to find online, so we calculate them for you: comprehensive data analysis and calculation models that take into account the visitors of the services, the revenue figures that companies in the industry publish, stock market data, the size of the company, trends and other information we were able to take into account. Published figures come from the companies' annual reports, filings and the company registers of their home countries, the newest fiscal year per company. Figures are converted into USD at a fixed yearly rate.

How to cite this study

DatingScout (2026). The State of Online Dating 2026: Online Dating & Dating App Statistics United States vs. the World 2026. Retrieved from https://www.datingscout.com/online-dating-statistics

All figures and charts: CC BY 4.0. Free to use in articles, reports and broadcasts with a credit to DatingScout and a link to this page.