Can Gen Z Afford to Date or Have Sex?

In almost news to no one, the economy is keeping the people from finding love, specifically Gen Z. Julie Care, the over-the-counter emergency contraceptive company, partnered with the Kinsey Institute to create a study called “The State of Sex Among Gen Z” to examine how young people are navigating and feeling about sex, dating, and relationships.The study surveyed nearly 2,400 young adults in the U.S. between the ages of 18 and 29. More than half of the participants were young Gen Z (18-24), while the rest were on the older end of the generation (25-29).Across all demographics surveyed (63 percent of respondents were heterosexual, but many sexualities were also represented, including gay, lesbian, and bisexual), though, there was one common concern: actually being able to afford dating and finding love. And since more than half of the respondents were single (53 percent), the stats are pretty staggering.Literally 100 percent of the men surveyed said it was harder to date and maintain romantic relationships in this current economy. The general cost of dating, like going out or socializing, was a big hindrance for most men, according to the data. Almost all of the men reported not being able to do these get-togethers as much because of financial concerns, and that it ultimately limited their chances to meet potential partners. Nearly all of the older end of the generation, including both men and women, agreed.The 25-29 year olds are actually the most plagued by the way financial woes are impacting their love life, according to the report. Nearly all of the respondents ages 25-29 said money and general concerns about cash make them less likely to date or pursue anything sexual—even though the study found that romantic partnership is a big desire for Gen Z. Many said all of this has wreaked havoc on their sex lives, too.Singles reported feeling the financial strain of dating more than the folks in relationships.This might be why we’ve started to see affordability as a huge dating trend in 2026, with TikTok even coining the term “affordating.” And “affordating” is pretty much exactly what it sounds like: dating with a budget in mind instead of fearing an overdraft every Sunday morning, splitting the bill more often, and searching out free activities to do.Financial compatability is a big part of long-lasting partnership, so, hey, maybe it’s good to deal with these things at the beginning? At the very least, it’s just one more bleak situation Gen Z has had to deal with. Guess we’re all going to start going for long walks in the park now?