SmartLoving: The Dating Recession

Less than one third of unmarried young adults are dating regularly, according to the 2026 State of our Unions report from the US Institute for Family Studies.

Francine and Byron Pirola of SmartLoving report that while 86 percent of these young adults still expect to marry, many are staying on the sidelines due to financial concerns, low confidence, and past emotional hurt. Young singles also expressed exhaustion from trying to balance work or studies with the rising cost of living, as well as difficulty finding partners who share their faith and values.

In conversations with young adult singles, some participants noted that dating within serious Catholic circles can feel like a job interview rather than a way to get to know someone. Despite the decline in active dating, the report indicates that singles are not looking for casual relationships but instead want to build serious emotional connections.