Americans Want Marriage Again — But Only on Their Own Terms

The Kinsey Institute at Indiana University released the 15th edition of its Singles in America survey on Sep 14, 2026 — the nation’s most comprehensive and longest-running annual study of single adults, which has now surveyed more than 80,000 people across the United States [1][2]. The 2026 edition, a demographically representative survey of roughly 5,000 U.S. single adults, found a renewed appetite for committed relationships and marriage alongside a deep skepticism that technology can stand in for human connection [1].

After steadily rising to a peak of 32% in 2021, the share of respondents who said they do not want a relationship declined to 24% in 2026. At the same time, the share who said they would like to get married someday increased from 33% in 2010 to 45% in 2026 — although the ideal age for marriage and the ideal length of dating before marriage both increased [1]. Roughly a third (30%) said they would be open to a long-term committed relationship with no intention of marrying [1].

Expectations are high — but love still surprises

Belief in love at first sight climbed dramatically, from 41% in 2010 to 62% in 2026, and the share saying they have experienced it rose from 30% to 47% [1]. Meanwhile, nearly half of singles (49%) said they have fallen for someone they did not initially find attractive, up from 30% in 2010 — most often because of great conversation, shared interests, or becoming best friends [1].

Singles are also clearer about what they want. The share keeping a “checklist” for a long-term partner rose from 25% in 2021 to 34% in 2026, and fewer reported falling in love with someone who failed most of their checklist [1]. Half of Gen Z respondents reported screening or researching a date online before meeting in person, most commonly through social media (60%), Google searches (37%), and background checks (29%) [1].

“There’s an interesting tension in the data: Singles today have clear expectations for a partner, but love still has the ability to surprise them,” said Dr. Justin Garcia, executive director of the Kinsey Institute and co-lead for the study [1]. “Nearly half have fallen for someone they weren’t initially attracted to, and conversation, shared interests and values can change how they see someone.”

Money stress is rewriting the script

Economic insecurity is reshaping relationships in both directions. More than half of singles (52%) said the difficult economy made them more interested in finding someone to share their life with — nearly double the 27% who said so in 2013 [1]. But insecurity is also delaying readiness: more respondents than in 2019 said they need to reach a career and income milestone, build cash reserves, pay off debt, or own a home before pursuing a long-term relationship [1]. Concerns about the economy or finances were the most selected day-to-day stressor (54%), and when asked what would make their lives happier, “more money” was the most selected response (56%) [1].

When asked about parenting, just 38% of singles ages 18 to 49 said they want children [1]. Openness to fertility treatments has collapsed: willingness to consider IVF fell from 44% in 2017 to 18% in 2026, egg freezing from 33% to 17%, and adoption from 53% to 27% [1].

AI is in dating — but two-thirds say it can’t replace connection

Nearly 4 in 10 U.S. singles (39%) have used AI in their dating lives — most commonly to improve communication, find better matches, or generate message ideas — with use heavily concentrated among younger adults (67% of Gen Z) [1]. Yet 66% said AI cannot and will not replace real human connection, even as 30% said they believe AI could improve human connection [1][2].

Stability, meanwhile, is the most sought-after trait: “someone I can trust and confide in” topped the list of what singles seek in a committed partner, with mutual respect, open communication, and a feeling of safety named as the hallmarks of a healthy relationship [1].

Terms

• Singles in America: the Kinsey Institute’s annual survey of single adults, running since 2011, now in its 15th edition with more than 80,000 total respondents.
• Demographically representative: a sample weighted to mirror the U.S. population on traits like age, gender, and region, so results reflect singles broadly rather than one subgroup.

Sources & evidence

• Phys.org reporting corroborated
• BLN Entertainment TV reporting corroborated

Reported with AI assistance from public sources; reviewed before publication. — Powered by Creytix.