Marriage rates aren’t what they used to be, and being in a relationship isn’t the priority anymore for many women across the globe. The growing trend of single women is expanding, and the shift is becoming more visible across all ages, cultures, and socioeconomic classes.
The many reasons for this include the reevaluation of traditional marriage, the increase in financial independence, higher standards for partners, and overall happiness in being single.
While staying single for life might not be appealing for everyone, marriage decline is rapidly occurring, and we decided to look further into the phenomenon.
In the last quarter of a century, the norms for women have shifted. Today, women get married and have children later in life compared to their mothers and grandmothers.
Throughout history, the idea of marriage has drastically changed. In the 1940s, marriage was built on stability and gender roles. By the 1960s, the sexual revolution had taken over, and many people began thinking critically about traditional gender roles and marriage. Freedom of body and choice were introduced into society. By the 2000s, marriage became more of a choice. With divorce rates increasing, some couples didn’t see the point. And with weddings costing a small fortune, others found it to be a terrible investment. Without the pressure of societal norms, choosing to refrain from marriage, as a result, has become more normalized.
In 2023, 46.4% of Americans were single, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This translates to 117.6 million unmarried Americans, which includes people who are single, divorced, or widowed.
A 2020 Pew Research Center report found that 69% of people are partnered, with 51% being married, 11% living with a partner, and 8% in committed relationships.
Women in today’s world have revolutionized traditional marriage, and many have chosen to prioritize their professional lives. Traditional gender roles have pivoted to a focus on individual goals, and many women see marriage as a choice, whereas in the past, it was an expectation. Since equality in relationships is more prevalent, women are aiming for career advancements.
Women are in the workforce and make up 47% as roles have shifted in households, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. A 2021 report in Europe found that 67.7% of women were employed. However, there is still a 10.7% gap, as 78.5% of men are employed. However, this number continues to grow, and the gap has been increasingly narrowing throughout the years.
The Equal Credit Opportunity in 1974 made it so women would be able to have their credit cards in their name for the first time ever. Before this, women couldn’t even have a credit card. The Women’s Rights Movement made it so women were able to gain financial independence regardless of marital status.
And with all of these changes, came the change of expectations put on a woman and her role in society.
In the past, when women heavily relied on men for finances, the idea of marriage was a necessity. But with much more freedom and flexibility, the need isn’t as imperative.
Non-traditional relationships, like cohabitation before marriage, same sex relationships, and casual dating, are more acceptable in today’s society.
Some women prefer to stay single and prioritize their personal goals like career advancements or simply being content without a partner.
In fact, single women report being happier than single men due to strong social networks, autonomy, and freedom.
Moreover, the overall divorce rate in the U.S. is declining, with a record low of 1.4% in 2023. This is believed to be because people are marrying later in life, instead of marrying younger. Divorce rates among older people, 50 and older, have been increasing.
Increased access to education has skyrocketed since the 70s. The Women’s Rights Movement brought forth issues of equality. Title IX in the Education Codes of 1972 ensured that women were able to have equal access to higher education and professional schools. From there, women became doctors, lawyers, engineers, and other professionals at a much higher rate in the U.S.
Some studies have found that people prefer someone with a similar educational background as theirs, but this is an individual preference and not universal.
Moreover, education can interfere with women’s expectations in straight relationships. The Survey Center on American Life found that 45% of college-educated single women say they cannot find someone who meets their expectations. Only 28% of single women without a college degree said this was a reason for not finding a partner.
These expectations cross political lines as well as their partner’s health and physical appearance.
Another contribution to marriage decline includes self-love, empowerment, exploration, and outside hobbies.
Women have been focusing more on fulfilling their life goals and building their confidence regardless of having a partner.
Solo travel for women has become more popular, with 40% of women yearning to travel alone, where they can learn more about themselves, the world, and expand their horizons.
Women are also more interested in hobbies independently than ever. From running groups to bird watching, women are being encouraged to step out on their own and navigate their own path for joy and personal growth.
Approximately 60 million Americans use dating apps, with Tinder still being the most popular.
While they don’t seem to be going away anytime soon, research has found that they may not lead to long-term relationships, and many people who meet online report lower satisfaction.
People who meet through family, work, friends, or church have higher stability than those who meet online. But since meeting in a traditional way like this has become outdated and rare, dating apps are still the cornerstone for finding a match.
Casual dating is still popular amongst younger people in 2025. Forbes reported in a survey that 40% of their participants were casually dating and 24% were looking for casual sex.
Since dating apps are linked to high rates of infidelity and short-term relationships, it’s become the norm for people to use the apps for hookups.
So while dating apps offer more options, they can also lead to cognitive overdrive, indecision, and dissatisfaction.
Rising housing costs and societal views are influencing people’s decisions to delay marriage.
Owning a home in America has become increasingly difficult. Young people aren’t able to own homes like they previously were able to, which delays starting a family and marriage.
The average home in the U.S. costs 416,900.
Moreover, having a child in America isn’t cheap either. Raising a child until they are 18 years old costs $389,000 on average. The 2025 national average for childcare is $13,128 per year. Of course, this depends on the child’s age and location. Urban areas have a much higher cost than rural areas. Nevertheless, having a child is a financial burden for many. Even if they would like to have a child, the current economy discourages them.
This shift in the ability to afford a house or a child influences the marriage rate and could potentially contribute to marriage decline.
Women have been prioritizing deeper connections with female friendships and networks outside of a romantic partnership. In the past, women may have befriended other wives or moms, but nowadays women are seeking female friendships out of their desires and needs.
Building a fulfilling community has become more important than building dependency on romantic partnerships.
Being a single woman is no longer seen as a failure in society. Where single women were once pitied, they are now seen as strong and successfully building their lives.
Whether it’s due to being more selective, pursuing casual hookups, prioritizing female friends, or simply wanting to climb a career ladder, staying single has evolved throughout history and is no longer synonymous with loneliness.
So whether you’re still participating in the dating pool or choosing to remain alone, history has allowed the modern woman to explore herself as well as her wants, desires, and needs.
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