As Valentine’s Day approaches, finding a soul mate no longer seems to be a priority for younger generations, whether by choice or due to societal and economic constraints.
The trend is clear. Singlehood is on the rise in many countries. More and more people are choosing not to enter into relationships or get married, and are delaying or giving up on having children. This evolution reflects a profound cultural shift, driven by economic and social conditions that are transforming traditional life trajectories. This is a real shift from previous generations, for whom the couple-marriage-baby pattern was naturally perceived as the norm and a form of fulfillment.
The number of single young adults has doubled in 50 years
The world is entering a new era of marriage. According to a survey by The Economist, the proportion of young adults (aged 25-34) without a spouse has almost doubled in 50 years in rich countries. In the United States, this status applies to around 50% of men and 41% of women. As a result, the decline in the marriage rate has led to the emergence of nearly 100 million additional singles in just a few years.
In Europe, according to Eurostat,the number of households consisting of an adult living alone (without another adult or child) increased significantly between 2015 and 2024: +16.9% over this period. In 2024, 75 million European households were made up of single adults (without children), showing a clear increase in single or non-marital living among the adult population. Another source based on Eurostat data indicates that around 30% of young adults in the European Union still live with their parents.
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