Gen Z singles, born between 1997 and 2012, are grappling with the lasting social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, reveals Hinge’s latest Gen Z D.A.T.E. report. Surpassing their millennial counterparts, 47% of Gen Z daters express increased nervousness about talking to people due to the pandemic, showcasing the persistent influence of the global health crisis on social interactions. Moreover, a quarter more Gen Z singles admit that the pandemic has left them feeling less confident on first dates, highlighting a shift in dating dynamics.
The report delves into a notable trend—a fear of rejection hindering Gen Z daters from pursuing romantic interests. Over half of Hinge’s Gen Z users confess that this fear has held them back, fostering a cautious approach to expressing genuine feelings or intentions. The study also uncovers that 44% of Gen Z Hinge daters have limited to no dating experience, contributing to a dating landscape where direct communication is often replaced by humor and memes.
Interestingly, despite these evolving dynamics, Hinge’s success remains robust. The platform witnessed a 40% year-over-year increase in direct revenue, soaring to $396 million in 2023, according to Match Group, its parent company. Hinge downloads exceeded 15 million, marking a nearly 40% rise from the previous year.
In response to the challenges faced by Gen Z daters, Hinge offers strategic advice for building “rejection resilience.” Moe Ari Brown, Hinge’s love and connection expert, outlines four key strategies: fostering self-compassion in internal thoughts about rejection, avoiding blame for misalignment, focusing on personal standards, and adopting a mindset of being “mutually choosy” rather than solely wanting to be “picked.” As Gen Z continues to shape the future of dating, these insights shed light on the nuanced landscape of love in a post-pandemic era.