Why More Gen Z Are Choosing to Stay Single, Backed by Research

Gen Z is often known for breaking barriers set by society, or even the ones we unconsciously placed on ourselves. The shift from being Cinderella and searching for a prince to saying, “I don’t need a prince to build my castle” reflects this change beautifully. For many today, being single is no longer seen as a failure or a gap to be filled. Yes, people still fall in love and get into relationships, but the key difference is that relationships are no longer treated as a necessity. Gen Z wants love to come naturally, not out of pressure or fear of loneliness. Instead of chasing affection or falling into the “fisherman’s net,” many would rather wait for something genuine, or focus on their own growth first.

This inclination is supported by research indicating a rise in singlehood satisfaction among adolescents. A study published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that adolescents born between 2001 and 2003 exhibited lower romantic desire compared to earlier cohorts, correlating with increased contentment in singlehood. Furthermore, the diminishing stigma surrounding being single allows Gen Z to make relationship choices without societal judgment.

Cultural trends like 'NATO' (Not Attached to an Outcome) dating reflect this mindset, emphasising the journey over a predetermined relationship outcome. Additionally, the preference for authenticity and aversion to appearing 'cringe' on dating platforms has led many to approach relationships with caution, often favouring irony over vulnerability.

Emotional Maturity and Authenticity

This mindset reveals a lot, and at its core lies emotional maturity. It’s about placing yourself on the pedestal before honouring someone else with your name’s medal and surrendering your identity. Reckless relationships only bring devastation, and this generation has finally recognised the need to set priorities instead of blindly chasing desires, all because of the blindfold worn in the name of fairytales.

Gen Z has come to realise that the fairytale was never about magic — it was about dependence. Waiting for someone to rescue you isn’t love; it’s helplessness wrapped in fantasy. Gen Z is standing against that. This resistance reflects not coldness, but emotional intelligence. By not forcing anything, they’re taking back control over their lives and choosing to nurture the relationships they already have with those who genuinely matter.

We are humans, not toys — to be picked up when someone’s bored and discarded when the infatuation fades. Our emotions are not that cheap that we should invest them in just anyone who comes along. Choosing to stay single until the right time is not delay — it’s devotion to self-growth. It’s like watering your roots before blooming. It opens up a world of exploration, gives space to introspect, and lets one view the world with rosy-free glasses, not tinted illusions.

With the rosy glasses now off, clarity has become non-negotiable. Gen Z doesn’t strive for validation anymore — they strive for transparency and truth. They’re not looking for someone to fix them or define them. They want someone who can complement their queendom, which they’ve built on their own terms — someone who praises their growth, offers honest, constructive reflection, but never tries to rewrite their essence.

Authenticity is the new gold standard. Everyone’s seen how dating apps have turned into stages where people put on their best mask — selling a highlight reel, not a reality. And once someone swipes right, the facade drops after the so-called honeymoon phase, leaving the other person emotionally burned out and hollow.

But this generation? They know better. They know how powerful emotions are — not just soft or romantic, but destructive if misused. They’ve weathered enough emotional storms to know that love, when not rooted in honesty, can tear down even the most sacred parts of a person. And are they ready to risk that just for temporary attention? Not at all.

All these reasons make one thing clear: staying single isn’t a failure — it’s often the wisest choice before jumping into a game where you barely know the players. It’s not about avoiding love, but about first turning inward. You need to understand your own worth, meet your best version, and love yourself fully — because only then can you truly love someone else through both their lowest and highest phases.

It takes courage to wait. It takes strength to polish yourself in silence while the world rushes into noise. But no one knows your value better than you do. And sometimes, choosing peace over chaos, solitude over forced connection, is the most powerful thing you can do. After all, your peace is far more precious than someone else’s uninvited drama.

Views expressed by the author are their own.