Millennials want to fall in love but can't afford to date, study finds

Millennials in the US are struggling to find love because they cannot afford to date, a new study has found.

According to a survey conducted by researchers at dating site Match, the majority of Generation Y is looking for the one, with 63 per cent of respondents revealing they want to find romantic love.

However, for one-third of singles, finances and the cost of dating means they feel unable to fully pursue their quest for love.

The money issue makes sense considering the amount of millennial debt, with a 2018 survey from Northwestern Mutual finding millennials between the ages of 25 and 34 have an average of $42,000 (£36,564) in debt each.

And, according to Match, the average date, comprised of a dinner for two, a bottle of wine, and two movie tickets, costs $102.32 (£83) in America.

For some millennials, the need to budget is the result of relationship expectations placed upon themselves, as 20 per cent of respondents said they felt they must reach a certain income level before committing to a serious relationship, while 23 per cent said they need to reach a certain point in their career.

Despite the monetary setbacks, millennials and Gen Z believe they will eventually be successful at finding the kind of love they want.

In the meantime, the survey found that millennials are not abstaining from sex, despite reports that they are.

According to the findings, 49 per cent of Gen Z and millennials are looking for a sex partner, with most respondents reporting being sexually active within the last week.

As for how often they would like to have sex, the majority said two to three times a week.

The research also found that #MeToo has had a positive impact on the dating lives of millennial singles, with 51 per cent of men saying the movement has caused them to act differently overall, and 37 per cent acting more reserved on a date.

Overall, 59 per cent of millennials say the movement is important to them, and nearly half say it has sparked “necessary discussions”.

The findings are from Match’s ninth annual Singles in America study, which analyses responses from more than 5,000 single men and women living in the US.

Of the findings, Dr Helen Fisher, biological anthropologist and chief science advisor to Match said: "Modern love, sex and romance are thriving in America—from Millennials to seniors. The current fear that the young don’t care about love and commitment is just plain wrong. They are simply having a hard time finding it and feeling burnt out by the search.

“Moreover, this year’s Singles in America study gives a first-of-its-kind look at the positive impact the #MeToo movement has had on single men — on dates and in the office.”