Download
MEDIA RELEASE.
94% Singapore daters still seek marriage and long-term relationships, even amid modern dating challenges and frustrations
CMB unveils its first ‘Dating Realness Report’ – what modern daters truly want and are concerned about; and what the future of dating looks like.
While 87% admit to matching without any intention of chatting or meeting, a majority still hope to find a spouse.
Singapore, 16 December, 2025 — Coffee Meets Bagel (CMB), the dating app for intentional daters, today released the results of its flagship Dating Realness Report 2025, uncovering what drives modern daters, the challenges they face, and how AI is poised to support their dating journeys.
Singapore, 16 December, 2025 — Coffee Meets Bagel (CMB), the dating app for intentional daters, today released the results of its flagship Dating Realness Report 2025, uncovering what drives modern daters, the challenges they face, and how AI is poised to support their dating journeys.
Marriage is still the ultimate goal
Singapore daters remain focused on serious relationships, with 94% daters seeking marriage or a long-term partner; of which, 64% are looking for someone to marry, and 30% want a long-term partner.
Singapore daters remain focused on serious relationships, with 94% daters seeking marriage or a long-term partner; of which, 64% are looking for someone to marry, and 30% want a long-term partner.
Practical priorities and partner preferences
Unsurprisingly, the top three life priorities for daters in Singapore are:
Financial stability - 53%
Health and wellness - 50%
Love and relationships - 49%
When it comes to qualities they look for when choosing a partner, 60% of daters prioritised emotional connection and shared values/beliefs. The top three qualities:
Emotional connection/chemistry - 60%
Shared values/beliefs - 51%
Physical attraction; Shared interests - tied at 44%
40% regard ambition/drive as a must-have quality, and almost 4 in 10 (36%) Singapore daters regard similar career or education levels as a must-have.
Unsurprisingly, the top three life priorities for daters in Singapore are:
Financial stability - 53%
Health and wellness - 50%
Love and relationships - 49%
When it comes to qualities they look for when choosing a partner, 60% of daters prioritised emotional connection and shared values/beliefs. The top three qualities:
Emotional connection/chemistry - 60%
Shared values/beliefs - 51%
Physical attraction; Shared interests - tied at 44%
40% regard ambition/drive as a must-have quality, and almost 4 in 10 (36%) Singapore daters regard similar career or education levels as a must-have.
The heart of it: why relationships still matter to Singapore daters
Despite the evolving norms around modern dating, Singapore daters continue to place deep emotional value on being in a relationship. An overwhelming 91% say that being in a relationship is fun, and just as many strongly value having one in their lives.
For many, partnership is more than just companionship – it’s tied to confidence and emotional well-being. Nearly 9 in 10 (86%) say that being in a relationship boosts their self-esteem, and 90% believe it would make the people close to them happy.
The desire for connection comes with some internal and social pressures. Close to two-thirds (63%) admit they would feel like something is wrong with them if they were not in a relationship.
Despite the evolving norms around modern dating, Singapore daters continue to place deep emotional value on being in a relationship. An overwhelming 91% say that being in a relationship is fun, and just as many strongly value having one in their lives.
For many, partnership is more than just companionship – it’s tied to confidence and emotional well-being. Nearly 9 in 10 (86%) say that being in a relationship boosts their self-esteem, and 90% believe it would make the people close to them happy.
The desire for connection comes with some internal and social pressures. Close to two-thirds (63%) admit they would feel like something is wrong with them if they were not in a relationship.
Dating can be fun...but challenging
While the majority of daters agree that being in a relationship is fun (91%), 43% view both committing to a relationship and a job equally challenging, and 40% agree that a relationship is harder to commit to than a job.
When it comes to using dating apps, 87% of Singapore daters admit to liking or matching with someone without intending to start a conversation or meet in person. This trend is consistent across generations, with 87% of Gen Z and 88% of millennials reporting the same behaviour. Men are more likely to match without follow through at 91%, compared with 84% of women.
It is no surprise, then, that the top challenges in online dating are ‘endless matches without meaningful connections’ (46%), and ‘ghosting or getting unmatched’ (45%). Other challenges include:
Starting conversations - 44%
Reading superficial profiles - 39%
Dealing with mixed signals or unclear intentions - 34-36% across age groups
While the majority of daters agree that being in a relationship is fun (91%), 43% view both committing to a relationship and a job equally challenging, and 40% agree that a relationship is harder to commit to than a job.
When it comes to using dating apps, 87% of Singapore daters admit to liking or matching with someone without intending to start a conversation or meet in person. This trend is consistent across generations, with 87% of Gen Z and 88% of millennials reporting the same behaviour. Men are more likely to match without follow through at 91%, compared with 84% of women.
It is no surprise, then, that the top challenges in online dating are ‘endless matches without meaningful connections’ (46%), and ‘ghosting or getting unmatched’ (45%). Other challenges include:
Starting conversations - 44%
Reading superficial profiles - 39%
Dealing with mixed signals or unclear intentions - 34-36% across age groups
“Research tells us that online dating can expand the pool of potential partners available to us. However, a ‘swipe’ or ‘match’ means little if there’s no follow-up. The science of dating tells us that relationships are more likely to take off when two people see each other as appealing and compatible. This usually requires going beyond a match into an actual first date,” said Associate Professor Jean Liu, Health and Social Sciences Cluster, Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT).
These patterns of aimless matching and ghosting can make it challenging to form meaningful connections. To address this, CMB has introduced features designed to encourage clearer intent and
more genuine interactions. Its newest feature, bagel notes, allows daters to send a thoughtful note before matching, helping them stand out and signal real interest from the start. Additionally, inactive chats expire after seven days, prompting members to reply, meet up, or move on. Together, these features help maintain one of the industry’s strongest match-to-chat rates, preventing endless, aimless matching and ghosting, and enabling Singapore daters to focus on connections that truly matter.
“Research tells us that online dating can expand the pool of potential partners available to us. However, a ‘swipe’ or ‘match’ means little if there’s no follow-up. The science of dating tells us that relationships are more likely to take off when two people see each other as appealing and compatible. This usually requires going beyond a match into an actual first date,” said Associate Professor Jean Liu, Health and Social Sciences Cluster, Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT).
These patterns of aimless matching and ghosting can make it challenging to form meaningful connections. To address this, CMB has introduced features designed to encourage clearer intent and more genuine interactions. Its newest feature, bagel notes, allows daters to send a thoughtful note before matching, helping them stand out and signal real interest from the start. Additionally, inactive chats expire after seven days, prompting members to reply, meet up, or move on. Together, these features help maintain one of the industry’s strongest match-to-chat rates, preventing endless, aimless matching and ghosting, and enabling Singapore daters to focus on connections that truly matter.
“Research tells us that online dating can expand the pool of potential partners available to us. However, a ‘swipe’ or ‘match’ means little if there’s no follow-up. The science of dating tells us that relationships are more likely to take off when two people see each other as appealing and compatible. This usually requires going beyond a match into an actual first date,” said Associate Professor Jean Liu, Health and Social Sciences Cluster, Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT).
These patterns of aimless matching and ghosting can make it challenging to form meaningful connections. To address this, CMB has introduced features designed to encourage clearer intent and more genuine interactions. Its newest feature, bagel notes, allows daters to send a thoughtful note before matching, helping them stand out and signal real interest from the start. Additionally, inactive chats expire after seven days, prompting members to reply, meet up, or move on. Together, these features help maintain one of the industry’s strongest match-to-chat rates, preventing endless, aimless matching and ghosting, and enabling Singapore daters to focus on connections that truly matter.
Shared values and interests increase matching chances
The factors that prompt users to hit “like” reveal what they value most: shared values and beliefs (35%) lead the way, followed by shared interests (28%), physical attraction (25%), and career or
education level (12%).
Shn Juay, Coffee Meets Bagel’s Worldwide CEO, comments, “Daters want clarity, compatibility, and sincerity. Even as Singapore daters juggle financial goals, well-being, and career aspirations, they still make time for love and don’t see these priorities as competing. At CMB, we design for this reality. We focus on meaningful matches instead of quantity, building technology that supports real human needs and helps singles form lasting connections.”
The factors that prompt users to hit “like” reveal what they value most: shared values and beliefs (35%) lead the way, followed by shared interests (28%), physical attraction (25%), and career or
education level (12%).
Shn Juay, Coffee Meets Bagel’s Worldwide CEO, comments, “Daters want clarity, compatibility, and sincerity. Even as Singapore daters juggle financial goals, well-being, and career aspirations, they still make time for love and don’t see these priorities as competing. At CMB, we design for this reality. We focus on meaningful matches instead of quantity, building technology that supports real human needs and helps singles form lasting connections.”
AI in dating: majority open to support, but not as a replacement
About 9 in 10 Singapore daters are open to using AI in their dating lives, but they want clear boundaries to ensure it supports, rather than replaces, genuine human connection.
The most popular ways daters currently use AI include:
responding to common questions (35%)
remembering their preferences to tailor future matches (34%)
finding better matches based on values or conversation style (33%), and
receiving feedback to improve communication (33%).
About 9 in 10 Singapore daters are open to using AI in their dating lives, but they want clear boundaries to ensure it supports, rather than replaces, genuine human connection.
The most popular ways daters currently use AI include:
responding to common questions (35%)
remembering their preferences to tailor future matches (34%)
finding better matches based on values or conversation style (33%), and
receiving feedback to improve communication (33%).
When asked how they feel about AI writing a profile or first message, a majority of daters (43%) said they wouldn’t mind, while only 16% said it would leave a negative impression. Many are already experimenting with AI, with 65% of Gen Z and 61% of millennials reporting that they have used AI to assist in their dating journey.
When asked how they feel about AI writing a profile or first message, a majority of daters (43%) said they wouldn’t mind, while only 16% said it would leave a negative impression. Many are already experimenting with AI, with 65% of Gen Z and 61% of millennials reporting that they have used AI to assist in their dating journey.
At the same time, 87% of daters want to maintain full control over how AI is used, 77% worry it could feel inauthentic, and yet 91% believe it can enhance dating – so long as it frees up time for real,
meaningful connections with compatible partners.
At the same time, 87% of daters want to maintain full control over how AI is used, 77% worry it could feel inauthentic, and yet 91% believe it can enhance dating – so long as it frees up time for real, meaningful connections with compatible partners.
“Singapore daters are discerning, tech-savvy, and among the most open to AI assistance, and we’re actively exploring ways to use AI thoughtfully to improve the experience. But innovation must be
meaningful: AI should support, not replace, the dater - especially in sensitive, emotional interactions. Our goal is to cultivate a healthy dating environment that enhances sincere, heartfelt exchanges,
rather than diminishing the human element,” Juay added.
End.
“Singapore daters are discerning, tech-savvy, and among the most open to AI assistance, and we’re actively exploring ways to use AI thoughtfully to improve the experience. But innovation must be meaningful: AI should support, not replace, the dater - especially in sensitive, emotional interactions. Our goal is to cultivate a healthy dating environment that enhances sincere, heartfelt exchanges, rather than diminishing the human element,” Juay added.
End.
“Singapore daters are discerning, tech-savvy, and among the most open to AI assistance, and we’re actively exploring ways to use AI thoughtfully to improve the experience. But innovation must be meaningful: AI should support, not replace, the dater - especially in sensitive, emotional interactions. Our goal is to cultivate a healthy dating environment that enhances sincere, heartfelt exchanges,
rather than diminishing the human element,” Juay added.
End.
About the Report
CMB Dating Realness Report 2025 is CMB’s flagship thought-leadership platform that explores the most current and real conversations around dating - daters’ concerns, aspirations, shifting norms amid changing environments across the key markets that we operate in. The survey wave was conducted in partnership with YouGov in November 2025 with N=1076 SG respondents aged 21-35, comprising working professionals who are either actively looking for a relationship or not actively searching but open to one.
CMB Dating Realness Report 2025 is CMB’s flagship thought-leadership platform that explores the most current and real conversations around dating - daters’ concerns, aspirations, shifting norms amid changing environments across the key markets that we operate in. The survey wave was conducted in partnership with YouGov in November 2025 with N=1076 SG respondents aged 21-35, comprising working professionals who are either actively looking for a relationship or not actively searching but open to one.
About Coffee Meets Bagel
Launched in 2012, Coffee Meets Bagel (CMB) is a globally loved dating app for those seeking serious relationships. Continuing on its mission of giving everyone a chance at love, CMB has facilitated over 250 million matches to date and counting. Over 91% of the CMB community is looking for a committed relationship. CMB has been named Best for Real Dates by Mashable, and over half of
CMB daters say their first dates often lead to second dates. CMB is available for free download on the App Store and Google Play Store.
Launched in 2012, Coffee Meets Bagel (CMB) is a globally loved dating app for those seeking serious relationships. Continuing on its mission of giving everyone a chance at love, CMB has facilitated over 250 million matches to date and counting. Over 91% of the CMB community is looking for a committed relationship. CMB has been named Best for Real Dates by Mashable, and over half of CMB daters say their first dates often lead to second dates. CMB is available for free download on the App Store and Google Play Store.
Launched in 2012, Coffee Meets Bagel (CMB) is a globally loved dating app for those seeking serious relationships. Continuing on its mission of giving everyone a chance at love, CMB has facilitated over 250 million matches to date and counting. Over 91% of the CMB community is looking for a committed relationship. CMB has been named Best for Real Dates by Mashable, and over half of CMB daters say their first dates often lead to second dates. CMB is available for free download on the App Store and Google Play Store.