The Relationship Recession: Why Modern Love Is Going Solo

When The Economist recently described a “relationship recession”, it struck a chord with many of us who work with singles and couples every day. Around the world, people are dating less, marrying later, and spending more of their lives single than ever before. It’s not a passing trend. It’s a social shift reshaping everything from housing to happiness.

In some ways, this rise in singlehood is a triumph. Millions of people are free to choose relationships from desire rather than duty. Women, in particular, have gained independence that previous generations could barely imagine. As The Economist notes, improved education and career opportunities have allowed women to live fully without relying on marriage for stability - a liberation that deserves celebration.

But freedom, like love, has its paradoxes. While some are choosing singlehood, others find themselves stuck in it. Across 14 countries, only 40% of singles say they don’t want a relationship. The rest describe barriers - too busy, too discouraged, or convinced no one suitable is out there.

Technology plays its part. Dating apps were meant to connect us, yet often amplify our loneliness. With infinite options come infinite comparisons, and the illusion that a perfect match is just one more swipe away. As a result, many feel overwhelmed, fatigued, or disenchanted with dating altogether... what psychologists call the paradox of choice.

Then there’s distraction. The time once spent building social skills and shared experiences is now easily swallowed by streaming, gaming, and scrolling. As one Stanford sociologist put it, dating isn’t like riding a bike - you can lose the knack if you don’t practise.

At Love Collective Global, we see both sides of this cultural moment. We see the empowerment of people choosing independence, and the quiet ache of those longing for connection in a world that has made it harder to find. The “relationship recession” isn’t about romance disappearing; it’s about how complex love has become when everyone is both freer and more cautious than ever before.

Perhaps the next era of love won’t be about returning to tradition, but about redefining intimacy - slower, more intentional, and deeply human.

That’s where we come in. At Love Collective Global, our work in matchmaking, coaching, and therapy, centres on helping people navigate this new emotional economy - to reconnect with themselves first, and then with others in more authentic ways. Whether it’s learning to date consciously, healing from past patterns, or finding a partner who truly aligns with your values, our role is to make modern love feel human again.

Because while the world may be experiencing a relationship recession, love itself isn’t in decline - it’s simply evolving.