Dating trends in 2024 showed singles letting go of perfection, rejecting pre-imposed deadlines and placing more value on emotional vulnerability and shared values. 2025 is expected to be a year of transition, where women are very clear on what they want and need to be clear on what they are no longer willing to tolerate in their dating and relationships.
After a year of rethinking relationships, learning and frustrations, the conversation about love has become more honest. Single people have not given up; on the contrary, they are more determined: almost 3 out of 4 (72%) people worldwide are actively looking for a long-term partner in the coming year. In fact, the level of tolerance has shifted with 2 out of 3 women (64%) saying they are being more honest with themselves and are no longer willing to compromise.
Over the past year, the majority (87%) of people on Bumble experienced the many positive aspects of dating in 2024: the excitement of meeting someone new, the increased confidence, and the way to explore new attributes in what they are looking for in their relationships. As we move into 2025, Bumble’s research shows that singles are clear about their own romantic desire, full transparency, shared values and tastes, and a supportive male friendship at crucial times are the attributes that will help them navigate dating in the coming year.
Micro-romance
From small romantic gestures to the return of romantic comedies and “meet-cute” moments, romance is making a serious comeback. By 2025, more than half (52%) of women worldwide will identify as hopeless romantics, and for 1 in 3 (37%) of them, the lack of romance has negatively impacted their love lives. The desire for romance is clear, but instead of grand gestures, people are embracing a new way of understanding romance—micro-romance—a term that describes expressing feelings through small but meaningful gestures. In fact, the vast majority of single people in Spain (89%) agree that showing love and affection now includes actions like sending memes, creating playlists, sharing inside jokes, or going on morning coffee walks. On Bumble, “The quickest way to my heart is…” is one of the most popular questions answered by users worldwide, highlighting that micro-romance is already firmly embedded in the app.
DWM (Date With Me)
From GRWM (Get Ready With Me) for dates, live-streamed breakups, post-date storytimes, relationship tests, and Dating Wrapped, dating has become our new favourite reality show. Bumble predicts this growing social media bubble of embracing reality will be even more relevant in 2025: 2 in 5 (41%) singles are celebrating more authentic dates through content about their relationships, showing not only the happy moments but also the dramatic ones, broadening the “window” into dating experiences. This shift towards more transparent, shared dating experiences is having a positive impact, with 42% of women feeling less self-conscious and more supported when seeing others share their experiences. Watching people openly discuss these experiences is inspiring singles to pursue healthier relationships, helping them spot red flags and have important conversations earlier. In fact, 1 in 3 singles (35%) say that realistic and positive dating content makes them optimistic about their own love lives.
Same Fan, Same Vibe
A shared interest in sports was key in 2024, but now micro-communities (like padel clubs or running groups), fandoms (hello Rosalia and Karol), and niche interests (chess, sewing) are taking over our social media. Our tastes are also changing how and with whom we date, with over half (51%) of singles in Spain admitting that unique and quirky interests are now crucial in attraction. Yes, engaging in social activities and communities can make you more attractive. For 1 in 2 women (50%), being authentic in dating means embracing their passions and interests. Not only does this help identify people you’re into, it also sparks conversations and builds compatibility, with half (49%) of Gen Z singles agreeing that doing something together is a form of intimacy. Bumble has launched more than 30 new interest badges, such as trivia, houseplants, or crochet, to celebrate the unique interests of its community.
Male Archetypes
From “rodent men” to “men in finance”, to the return of the “muscle man”, male archetypes have exploded in pop culture, sparking broader conversations about how we identify ideal (or less-than-ideal) traits. 1 in 3 (33%) people believe discussions about these stereotypes have increased. But are they helpful or a hindrance? 1 in 4 (27%) men admit these archetypes make them uncomfortable, as they create assumptions about their character and intentions. Looking ahead to 2025, more than half of women (53%) agree that the conversation about masculinity needs to evolve, allowing men to define for themselves what positive masculinity means to them.
Future-Proofing
Uncertainty about issues such as financial stability, employment, housing, and climate change is affecting our relationships. The vast majority of singles (95%) say their concerns about the future influence how and who they choose to date. More than half (57%) of women in Spain, for example, are becoming more focused on valuing stability in emotionally steady and reliable partners with clear goals. Looking to the future, singles can expect these conversations to come up earlier in relationships, as 1 in 4 (27%) women insists these topics be addressed sooner rather than later, leading to honest discussions about budgeting, housing, climate change, and career ambitions.
They Get It
From the pre-date hype to the post-date analysis, when we talk about dating, we’re starting to see a new filter emerge—the best friend filter. Nearly a third (31%) of single women in Spain say they’re now more open with their male friends about their love lives, signalling a shift in how men relate to their friends in a healthy way and becoming a more integral part of their support network. 1 in 5 Spanish women now ask their male friends to “vet” potential dates, and the majority (58%) rely on them to assist with dating decisions.
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