80+ Online Dating Statistics You Need to Know – 2024 Success & Safety Data

The online dating scene is growing as more people connect to their perfect match through apps.

Due to this, businesses and marketers are recognizing the value of understanding the online dating scene.

However, navigating the plethora of available information can take time and effort. That’s why we’ve created a comprehensive guide featuring 50+ online dating statistics to help you understand the key trends and patterns in the industry.

Let’s dive right in!

Online Dating Demographics Statistics

30% of US adults have tried a dating app.

A 2022 survey from the Pew Research Center revealed that nearly a third of US adults have tried a dating site or app.

53% of people aged 18-29 years have tried online dating.

The same research suggests that younger age groups are more likely to have tried online dating as shown in the following table.

57.44 million people in the US used online dating in 2022.

A piece of research by Statista revealed that the number of people using online dating in the US were as follows:

37.51 million people are set to use online dating by 2028.

Statista’s research reported that the online dating industry in the US is projected to see a decline in user numbers by 2028.

Online Dating Stats By Single and Unmarried Adults

52% of singles have tried dating apps compared to 16% of married individuals.

Based on online dating statistics from the same Pew Research Center study revealed that single and unmarried adults were highly active in online dating.

46% of cohabiting individuals had tried dating apps, compared to 36% of divorced, separated, or widowed individuals.

Online Dating Stats By Age

More than half of those under 30 tried dating apps or sites, compared to 13% of those who are 65+.

A Pew Research Center Study revealed that  53% of users aged 18-29 dominated the online dating scene while usage dwindled with age.

Use of online dating sites or mobile apps by young adults has nearly tripled since 2013.

In another Pew Research Center study, the usage of online dating apps by young adults had increased nearly threefold since 2013.

48% of US adults between 18-29 have used dating apps.

In another study conducted in October 2019, nearly half (48%) of US adults aged 18 to 29 had used online dating sites or apps. In contrast, usage among those above 65 years was lower.

In 2021 39.5% of survey respondents aged between 25-34 had used dating apps.

Online dating statistics from the same study suggested that dating app usage declined with age. 

16% of adults aged 25-34 globally have found their current partner through a dating app.

A YouGov survey discovered that more adults globally found their current partner through a dating app. The trend significantly drops among older generations as shown in  the table:

7% of dating app users have used Match.com.

According to a 2020 survey, more middle-aged users were using the dating platform Match.com.

33.60% of 45-54 year-olds use only one dating app at a time.

According to a Healthy Framework study, the preference for one app at a time was particularly observable among 45-54-year-olds. Using three or more apps simultaneously is more popular with men – 36.62% – than with women – 25.20%.

79.37% of respondents checked their online dating accounts at least once a day.

Nearly four in five users checked their online dating accounts at least once a day, with the youngest age group (18-24) less likely to check them several times a day than other ages, at just 42.06%.

78.17% of users used their smartphones for online dating. 

The preference for smartphones to access dating apps cuts across all age groups, with over half primarily using their phone. 

Older adults tend to use dating apps in the evening.

Older users were more likely to favor the evening hours for browsing for matches, while younger subscribers preferred using dating apps in the afternoons.

74% of users checked their dating apps during working hours.

The same Healthy Framework study of 500 individuals revealed insights into online dating behavior: nearly three-quarters of respondents admitted to checking their dating apps during work hours, with 34.13% doing so regularly. 

Online dating statistics revealed that men were found to be the biggest culprits, with 42.91% checking their apps at work compared to only 25.20% of women.

44.44% of dating apps users operate two platforms at the same time.

Online Dating Stats By Ethnicity

14% of Caucasians have joined at least one dating site.

According to the same Pew Research Center study referred to earlier:

• More Caucasians are using dating sites compared to Black and Hispanic people.
• Black singles make up 11% of online datinf users and 10% of dating app users.
• Hispanic singles make up 7% of online users and 10% of app users.

Online Dating Stats By Location

13% of urban and suburban residents have used a dating site.

Urban and suburban residents are more likely to try online dating compared to rural dwellers, according to the same Pew study.  Only 10% or people in rural areas reported using a dating site and 6% have used a dating app.

17% of adults in suburban communities used Tinder.

An April 2020 Statista study went on to reveal that only 6% of respondents living in rural areas confirmed using the popular social dating app.

Online Dating Stats By Education and Income

16% of college graduates have tried a dating site and 9% have used a dating app. 

Based on these online dating statistics, among those who have completed some college, 15% had visited a dating site, and 11% used a dating app. Even those with a high school education or lower have tried online dating, with 8% having used a dating site and 7% a dating app.

16% of singles making $30,000-$74,999 per year are on dating apps.

According to Statista, a further 15% of singles making $75,000 or more are on dating apps while 11% making less than $30,000 annually also use online dating. 

Online Dating Stats By Brand Awareness

Tinder had a brand recognition of 75%.

According to a Statista study, Tinder takes the crown as the most popular dating app in the US, with a higher brand recognition rate than any other online dating app.

Online Dating Data By Country

Online dating providers are projected to have up to 441 million active users in 2023.

According to a study, online dating providers are expected to generate $8.7 billion in  2023. This revenue is through online dating, casual dating, and matchmaking services. 

The US has the highest number of people using online dating services, at 21.9%

The same study reported data about other countries and their online dating market penetration and revenue. 

25% of singles in Sweden used online dating services.

In another study, 25% of singles from Sweden revealed using online dating services in 2

Global revenue from dating services was $8.2 billion.

Of that number, China generated $1.1 billion in 2021 from online dating apps.

The online dating market in Australia is forecasted to reach $50.97 million in 2023

A Statista study revealed that revenue in the online dating market is projected to grow at 2.64% due to an expansion of market volume by $56.58 million by 2027.

• The number of online dating users is projected to reach 3.36 million by 2027.
• The average revenue per user is expected to reach $15.65.

The online dating market in Germany is forecast to reach $312.40 million in 2023

A Statista study revealed that income in the online dating market is forecasted to grow at 1.70% due to an expansion of market volume by $334.20 million by 2027.

• The number of users is projected to reach 10.38 million by 2027.
• The average revenue per user is expected to reach $31.51 in 2023.
• User penetration expected to reach 11.8% in 2023.
• The Matchmaking market is expected to generate $118.20 million in 2023.

The online dating market in Brazil is forecast to reach $53.90 million in 2023.

The same Statistia study showed that income from the online dating market is forecasted to grow at 1.34% by $56.84 million by 2027 in Brazil.

• The number of users is projected to reach 17.62 million by 2027.
• The average revenue per user is expected to reach $3.24 in 2023.

The online dating market in Asia is forecast to reach $633.6 million in 2023.

Statista shows that in this market,  income from online dating market is expected to grow at 4.91% by $767.5 million by 2027.

• The number of users is projected to reach 186.70 million by 2027.
• The average revenue per user is expected to reach $3.88 in 2023.

Mobile App Usage By Country

Tinder had over 75 million monthly active users with the US having the highest number of active subscriptions, with 7.8 million, followed by the UK, boasting 5 million. 

Other countries with a high number of Tinder users include:

• Italy
• Spain
• Australia
• Mexico
• Germany
• France
• Brazil
• Finland
• Denmark

Momo is the most popular online dating app in China.

According to a study, Momo amassed approximately 59 million users in China in 2022.

Two-thirds of Chinese people used dating apps at least once a week.

In another study, two in three Chinese people use dating apps once per week.

Tantan, Soul, and Momo are the most popular apps in China.

A January 2023 study revealed that 66% of users in China used the Soul dating app, overtaking Momo in popularity. Further, 41 percent of the Chinese people surveyed had used mobile dating apps.

In 2022, 56% of Chinese dating apps were male and two-thirds were aged below 30 years old, while 20% of the online dating app users were above 35 years old.

Dating App Revenue By Country

The dating market has exhibited substantial growth in the US, China, India, Germany, and France in recent years.

Does Online Dating Work? 

The answer as to whether online dating works involves examining success rates across different platforms to offer valuable insights into the effectiveness of these services.

One in three Americans have found love and commitment through dating sites or apps.

According to a Pew Research Center study, 12% of Americans who have tried online dating have found love and commitment through dating sites or apps. 23% of Americans reported going on a date with someone they met online.

As noted in an earlier Statista study, over 30% of Americans have tried online dating, and at least half of them have gotten married as a result.

31% of men and 28% of women reported meeting their significant other on a dating app.

Online dating data from a survey by Currys in the UK revealed that people have found successful relationships through dating apps. 

Tinder has the highest success rate, at 16.5%.

Up to 42% of users have found long-term partners through dating apps.

Pew’s rsearch reveals that dating sites have successfully helped about half of their users locate long-term partners.

However, this belief is contingent on several factors, such as age, ethnicity, and race. Specifically, 42% of adults feel online dating contributed to finding a partner, while 35% of individuals aged between 18 and 29 mentioned online dating made the dating experience easier. 

37.95% of men would recommend dating apps to other users, compared to 26.93% of women.

According to the same Currys study, more than a third of 16-34-year-old users recommend dating apps, while over 30% of those above 35 also vouch for them.

Dangers of Online Dating Statistics

60% of Americans support background checks for dating app profiles.

A Pew Research Center survey explored American opinions on whether these checks should be required before a user can create a dating profile. The results revealed that 60% of American adults support mandatory background checks for dating profiles, while only 15% are against the idea, and 24% are unsure.

• Only 47% of people who use dating platforms are in favor of required checks.
• 73% of adults aged 65 and older in favor of required checks.
• 62% of those aged 50-64 and 53% of those under 50 were in favor of extra checks.
• Support for the checks was higher among women (64%) than men (54%)
• Straight adults (61%) were more likely to want checks compared to LGB adults (49%).
• Users who perceived online dating as unsafe (71%) were more likely to support required background checks than those who deemed it safe (49%).

43% of US online daters revealed positive experiences using the platforms.

Online dating data from a Statista survey revealed that 43% of US online daters had a negative experience with dating apps or platforms, while another 43% experienced positivity. 

Common online dating dangers include:

• Unwanted harassment
• Explicit messages
• Threats 
• Name-calling 

India has the highest rates of online dating scams, at 66%.

According to January 2023 survey, 66% of respondents in India reported encountering at least one online dating scam. Similar findings were observed in France, the US, and New Zealand – where a quarter of the surveyed individuals also experienced such scams.

Japan exhibited the lowest incidence of online dating scam encounters.

53% of dating app users aged 18 to 49 years believe they had encountered scammers.

In the same July 2022 study, 59% of men and 44% of women believed they had encountered someone who was out to scam them. 

About 42% of online daters reported negative experiences.

50% of Americans think online dating has had neither a positive or negative effect on dating and relationships.

The same study revealed that 22% of Americans were mostly negative about the effect of dating apps on relations, compared to 26% who were mostly positive.

49% of dating app users believed online dating platforms are not safe at all.

According to a recent Pew Research study, opinions are split – 48% of people think online dating is somewhat safe, while 49% think it’s not safe at all. Safety concerns vary widely by demographics – women, those with less education, and people of color are more likely to see online dating as unsafe.

37% of online dating users reported persistent interruption even after saying they were not interested.

According to the Pew Research Center report, younger women more often reported facing negative interactions in online dating.

46% of US adults think dating apps are not safe platforms for meeting people.

The same Pew Research Study reported that 39% of men think dating apps are not safe compared to 53% of women.

10% of dating app users admitted to falling for a catfish.

Online dating data revealed that over 10% of users admitted to falling for a catfish and 8% of those were men who even sent money to their fake love. 

12% of women encountered catfishing on social media.

Based on a 2022 study, it was found that 15% of male respondents and 12% of female respondents among U.S. adults reported definite encounters with catfishing on social media.

Around 8% of men and 3% of women had sent money to a catfish.

10 percent of men and 12 percent of women have indicated that they have probably sent money to an individual pretending to be someone else.

22.30% of men revealed they experienced catfishing against 16.96% of women in a UK survey by Currys. 

Dating Apps Attitude Stats By Gender

37.95% men would recommend dating apps compared to 26.93% women.

31% of women reported being cyberstalked.

According to a 2022 Statista study conducted in the UK, nearly one-third of women reported being victims of cyberstalking and the same proportion were victims of cyber flashing.

Dating App Incidences and Crime Statistics

A report by Background Checks revealed statistics about online dating and safety:

• 10% of sex offenders were active on dating sites
• 1 in 10 users on free dating apps were identified scammers
• Cases of sexual assault related to online dating increased 6x in five years

14% of 1,968 sexual assaults between 2017 and 2020 related to first in-person meetings from dating apps. 

Strangulation was the cause of injury in one-third of the incidents, making it a higher-risk type of assault than others.

14.7% of dating app users have experienced in-person harassment.

According to a study from the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC), users on dating platforms have experienced online or in-person sexual harassment or violence. Along with the reported in-person harassment, 8.3% of respondents experienced similar abuse online.

An average 652,000 internet scams were reported in 2022. 

Findings from the FBI’s Internet Crime Report revealed that in 2022, 652,000 plus citizens were victims of internet-related scams. Of those 19,021 individuals fell victim to confidence/romance victims.

• The cost of confidence and romance scams in 2022 was $735,882,192
• In 2021, incidences of confidence and romance scams was 24,299, 22% higher than in 2022

Data on Crimes Linked to Dating Apps

Multiple news reports discuss crimes that are committed after people have met on the most-popular dating app, Tinder.

• 42 out of 105 stalking and harassment reports linked to Tinder in the UK between 2016 and 2020.
• A gambling addict was jailed for selling photos of people he found on Tinder and blackmailing them.
• 4 rape allegations were linked to the Grindr app in the UK between 2016 and 2020.

In the Philippines, 13 Chinese were arrested for a Tinder swindling scheme in April 20222.

The gang used scripted messages and targeted high-net-worth individuals.

A German teacher used an unnamed online dating app to lure a victim to his home, who went on to fulfill his “cannibalistic tendencies”. 

Bones of the victim were found in local woods in 2020 and the murderer was found guilty in January 2022.

Other recent news reports of online dating gone bad include:

• A 35-year-old woman was murdered by two men who were suspected to have connected through a dating application in California.
• A woman in Massachusetts was sexually assaulted by an individual who had a history of three rape convictions and was categorized as a sex offender who she had met on a dating app.
• A man in the UK was convicted and sentenced to five years of imprisonment for blackmailing individuals he met on Grindr.
• In January 2023, law enforcement discovered a female victim who had been severely beaten and bound, left unconscious in Grants Pass, Oregon. 

Online romance seekers in Essex lost £5.3m to organized criminal gangs using dating apps.

• 380 cases of fraud were reported in two years.
• A 50-year-old divorcee lost £25,000 in 2021 to fraudsters.
• An Essex businesswoman lost £13,000.

Alaska has been reported as the most dangerous state for online dating.

According to a study by Background Checks, 85 cases of romance fraud were reported in 2018.

On the other hand, the following states are the safest for finding love on the internet:

• Maine
• Vermont
• New Hampshire
• West Virginia
• West Virginia

Online Dating App Stats

According to a 2022 Statista study, Tinder had the most downloads, followed by Bumble and other dating apps as shown in the following table.

Tinder Dating App Stats

In 2021 Tinder, was the most downloaded dating app globally.

• According to a Statista report, Tinder had a total of 67 million downloads in 2021.
• Tinder had an awareness rating of 84% in the US and 86% in Europe.
• In another study, Tinder had 80 million first-time downloads between 2019 and 2021.

79% of dating app users choose Tinder.

According to a Pew Research Center study, 80% of users reported using Tinder.

• 79% of these users were aged between 18-29
• 44% were aged 30-49
• 17% were 50-64
• 1% were above the age of 65

45% of users identified as straight, while 51% identified as LGB.

Tinder’s “Year in Swipe” revealed dating trends in 2022.

• Many singles found solace in “situationships” over serious relationships. 
• Daters commonly implemented creative ways to date, often without alcohol. 
• Shared values and social politics took precedence when selecting a partner.
• 56% prefer mini golf, 46% picnics, and 34% drive-ins as creative date activities.
• 25% of young singles drink less compared to 72% who don’t drink.
• The mMajority of those surveyed consider a sense of humor when choosing partners online.

When looking for a partner, young singles look for someone with:

• Good hygiene – 73%
• Loyalty – 79%
• Respect – 78%
• Looks – 56%
• Open-mindedness – 61%
• Respectful – 75%

Bumble Dating App Stats

Bumble users increase by 3.46 million in Q1 2023.

According to Statista research, Bumble experienced significant growth, with over 3.46 million paying users worldwide in Q1 2023, compared to three million in Q1 2022.

During the same period, Bumble Inc. earned $242.9 million in revenue.

28% of dating app users confirmed they use Bumble.

• 51% of these users were aged between 18-29.
• 24% were aged 30-49.
• 9% were aged 50-64.
• 2% were above the age of 65.

28% of users identified as straight, while 16% identified as LGB.

OkCupid Dating App Stats

Founded in 2003 by Harvard University students, Christian Rudder, Max Krohn, Sam Yagan, and Chris Coyne, OkCupid is a well-known dating service.

15% of users in the US revealed using the OKCupid dating app.

• Among those who know OkCupid, 27% like the brand.
• 6% of dating app users in the US planned to use OkCupid again.
• 11% of dating app users have heard about OkCupid on social media, in the media, or through advertising.

8% of dating app users in the UK used OkCupid.

• Brand awareness is at 44% in the UK.
• 9% of UK dating app users said they liked OkCupid.
• 4% of dating app users in the UK say they are likely to use OkCupid again.
• 6% of dating app users in the UK have heard about OkCupid on social media, in the media, or through advertising.

4% of dating app users in Germany used OkCupid.

• Brand awareness for OkCupid is at 23% in Germany.
• 4% of German dating app users said they like OkCupid.
• 3% of dating app users in Germany said they are likely to use OkCupid again.
• 4% of dating app users in Germany have heard about OkCupid on social media, in the media, or through advertising.

28% of dating app users revealed using OkCupid in the US, according to Pew Research. 

• 18% of these users were aged between 18-29.
• 28% were aged 30-49.
• 15% were aged 50-64.
• 4% were above the age of 65.

20% of users identified as straight, while 20% identified as LGB.

Ashley Madison Dating App Stats

50 million dating app users use Ashley Madison.

• Ashley Madison has 44% aided brand recognition among dating service users.
• Out of this group, 23% actually liked the brand.
• As for usage share, 9% of US dating service users utilize Ashley Madison.
• The brand enjoys a 67% customer loyalty rate, with 6% of users likely to return.
• Approximately 11% of US dating service users have heard of Ashley Madison.

Feeld Dating App Stats

Feeld is a global community with over 2 million members where couples and singles can explore open-minded interaction.

Feeld users increase by 250% between January 2021 and January 2022. 

Sugardaddy.com Dating App Stats

Over 80% of Sugardaddy.com users were located in the UK.

• Currently, there are over 300,000 active users on Sugardaddy.com
• Over 80% of users are located in the UK.
• The gender split on Sugardaddy.com is 63.37% male and 36.63% female.

Online Dating Apps Overview

Wrapping Up

The dating apps statistics paint a vivid picture of modern romance and its digital transformation.

The exponential growth of these platforms is not just a trend, but a reflection of societal shifts in the way people connect, communicate, and seek companionship. The high usage rates across diverse age groups highlight a universal acceptance and reliance on technology in the pursuit of personal connections.

However, it’s essential to recognize the challenges and downsides that come with this digital approach to dating, such as concerns over privacy, the potential for superficial judgments, and the paradox of choice leading to decision fatigue.

The demographic diversity and changing user preferences observed in these statistics also signal a dynamic and evolving landscape. This evolution is not just limited to how individuals are using these apps, but also in how the apps themselves are adapting.

Features like video calls, advanced algorithms, and increased security measures are responses to user needs and societal changes. Furthermore, the data indicates a significant shift towards more inclusive and varied platforms, accommodating different lifestyles, orientations, and relationship goals.

This inclusivity not only broadens the scope of online dating but also reflects a more open and accepting societal attitude towards diverse forms of relationships.

Looking ahead, the future of dating apps seems poised for further innovation and integration into our daily lives.

As technology continues to advance, we can expect these platforms to become more sophisticated, with perhaps a greater emphasis on AI and machine learning to create more meaningful matches.

The key will be balancing technological advancements with genuine human connection, ensuring that, in a world increasingly driven by digital interactions, the fundamental human need for connection and companionship is not lost.

The dating apps statistics we see today are just the beginning of a deeper exploration into human relationships and how they are molded by the digital age.

FAQs

References

• Satitsta
• Pew Research Center
• YouGov
• Marriage Foundation
• Eharmony
• Currys
• U.S. Department Of Justice
• Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) Report
• Backgroundcheck.org
• USA Today
• Healthy Framework 
• Daily Sundial
• Evening Standard
• Philstar GLOBAL
• News 18
• Essex Police
• The Guardian
• Cornwall Live
• Echo News