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By Suzanne Blake
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A new study from Match Group suggests that the decline of marriage among younger Americans may be overstated. In fact, Gen Z is actually the generation most interested in tying the knot.
According to Match Group's 2026 Singles in America study, 72 percent of Gen Z respondents said they want to get married, a higher share than any other generation.
The study, conducted in partnership with researchers at Indiana University's Kinsey Institute, surveyed approximately 5,000 single adults nationwide between March and April.
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“It challenges the idea that Gen Z simply doesn’t want commitment,” Val Klimov, founder of Fledge, a dating app based on psychological compatibility, told Newsweek. “The data points to something more complicated, in fact, they do want serious relationships, but they’re much less convinced that the way dating works today will get them there.”
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Why It Matters
For years, the cultural narrative has centered around the idea that younger Americans are increasingly reluctant to marry, whether due to finances or housing affordability or even just shifting attitudes toward relationships.
But Match Group's latest data points in a different direction. The company found that nearly three-quarters of Gen Z respondents want marriage.
Across all age groups surveyed, 76 percent said romantic love can last forever, 74 percent said some relationships are "meant to be" and 61 percent said there is a perfect match or soulmate for everyone.
The data comes even as marriage rates fall and birth rates decline across the United States.
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What to Know
According to Lauren DeFord, director of brand marketing at Match Group, younger singles often feel pressure to downplay long-term relationship goals.
"For a generation told to keep things casual and see where they go, saying you want marriage can almost feel countercultural," DeFord said in a statement.
Klimov said part of the shift is because Gen Z has dated less than previous generations, so dating and relationships can feel more valuable precisely because they’ve had fewer of them.
However, dating app fatigue is also playing a significant role.
“Fatigue with the alternative since they grew up inside swipe culture and situationships, and they are the first generation to treat that as the default they want to escape from, not the freedom they are chasing,” Klimov said.
The Singles in America study also found that many singles are increasingly prioritizing compatibility and emotional stability over excitement alone.
Nearly half of respondents, 49 percent, said they had fallen for someone they were not initially attracted to. Great conversation, shared interests and shared values were some of the most commonly cited reasons that attraction developed over time.
“This is a generation that's grown up with an enormous amount of instability, economically, politically, socially and even in how people meet and date. It makes sense that permanence and a committed partner would be appealing when so much else feels temporary,” generational expert and HR consultant Bryan Driscoll told Newsweek.
“It also pushes back on the stereotype that Gen Z is afraid of commitment or only interested in casual relationships. I think the better description is that they're selective.”
Singles were also more than twice as likely to prioritize "peace and emotional safety" in a relationship than "passion and excitement."
Finances also played a role. About 71 percent of respondents said openness about money builds trust, while 70 percent said they would be open to a prenuptial agreement.
Alexandra Cromer, a professional counselor at Thriveworks, said today’s economy could also be sparking the higher interest in marriage among Gen Z.
“Currently, the US economic outlook is poor and prices are high, which includes bills, groceries, and cost of living,” Cromer told Newsweek. “Due to these economic constraints, many Gen Z see the ‘only way’ to obtain their financial goals and even to purchase a home as being married with a dual income.”
Moving forward, Driscoll said people may continue marrying later but they will be more deliberate about it, “not necessarily abandoning marriage.”
“Gen Z may ultimately treat marriage less like a milestone and more like a choice that has to earn its place in their lives,” Driscoll said.
What Happens Next
For many Gen Z singles, marriage is seen more as a central goal rather than an outdated institution, experts said. But whether Gen Z ends up ushering in higher marriage rates remains to be seen.
“Wanting to get married at 24 and actually getting married by 30 are two very different things,” Klimov said. “Whether that demand actually translates into more marriages will depend on whether the dating ecosystem can create a better path to get people there.”
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Jason Lemon and Dave Siminoff.
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