America is in a romance recession – that’s according to research from The Institute for Family Studies (IFS). In their 2025 National Dating Landscape Survey, they found that only 1 in 3 young adults is “actively dating.”
Why?
One of the culprits in the dating recession is lack of confidence. “Only about 1-in-3 young adult men and 1-in-5 young adult women expressed confidence in the fundamental skill of being able to approach someone they were romantically interested in,” reported the IFS.
The young people surveyed also said money and past experiences were barriers to dating.
Decline of Socialization
Grant Baliey, a research fellow at IFS, sees the decline of dating as a part of a broader trend. “People are just not going out and doing social things anymore, and this dating aspect is just one element, one expression of the social retreats,” he told Drew Mariani.
One finding shows a broad increase in the number of young adults who spend a daily hour of leisure time alone – “from 43% in the 1980s up to 75% in 2024,” Bailey said. Young adults are replacing actual socialization with social media. However, that doesn’t replace in-person relationships, Bailey argues, “Watching other streamers…is not actually engaged in genuine community building.”
Last year, Pope Leo addressed the issue of screen time with high schoolers from around the country. He told those gathered that “Technology can never replace real, in-person relationships; simple things (like) a hug, a handshake, a smile—all those things are essential to being human and to have those things in a real way, not through a screen.”
Fixing the Problem
Despite the lack of dating, Bailey said that most teenagers expect to marry and most of the 22- to 25-year-olds surveyed want to date.
In their report on the dating recession, IFS recommends better education about dating for young people. Among the recommendations are dating bootcamps, dating resilience training, and ideas for cheaper dating alternatives.
In that same address to high schoolers, the Holy Father underscored the need for holy marriages. “The world needs holy families who pass on the faith and show God’s love in daily life. If you think you may be called to marriage, pray for a spouse who will help you grow in holiness.”