More than a Quarter of People in Austria Identify as Single

More than a Quarter of People in Austria Identify as Single

Image: APA/dpa/Sina Schuldt

 

Over 28% of people in Austria aged 18 to 75 describe themselves as single, according to a recent survey by the dating app Parship. This figure has remained steady for years.

Despite the stability, many singles long for companionship, with half of those surveyed expressing “a strong desire for togetherness.”

Men and Young People Want Partnership

The survey revealed that men were more likely than women to express a desire for a relationship, with 62% of men compared to 40% of women sharing this sentiment. Younger singles showed even greater enthusiasm, with 68% of those aged 18 to 39 hoping to find a partner, compared to just 29% of those over 60.

Among singles, 42% said their top New Year’s wish was to meet someone and spend quality time as a couple. The findings, published by Marketagent.com, are based on responses from 1,533 people, including 435 singles.

However, 16% of singles reported having no interest in a relationship. This view was less common among younger people, with only 9% of those aged 18 to 29 expressing this opinion.

Barriers to Love and Regional Trends

For singles hoping to find love, key obstacles included a fear of disappointment (28%), a lack of hope in finding the right partner (26%) and concerns about sacrificing personal needs (23%).

Regional differences also stood out. Vienna and Carinthia had the highest proportion of singles, at 33%, while Burgenland had the lowest, at 23%.

Interest in Alternative Relationships

While most singles prefer traditional relationships, men were more open to alternative arrangements. A quarter of men expressed interest in “friends with benefits” relationships, compared to just 7% of women. Similarly, 20% of men were open to “situationships” – non-committal relationships without obligations – or prioritising their sexual exploration. By contrast, only 8% and 5% of women, respectively, were interested in these options.

Meanwhile, women were more likely to say they had no specific plans and preferred to “let things happen” (22% compared to 16% of men).

Shyness and High Expectations

The survey also highlighted differences between men and women when it comes to challenges in forming relationships. Men were more likely to cite shyness as a barrier (24% compared to 13% of women) and admitted to lacking the courage to take the first step (18% versus 11%).

Women, on the other hand, were more likely to say they had lost faith in finding a suitable partner, with nearly a third reporting this compared to 21% of men. In addition, 21% of women said they had very high standards, compared to 14% of men.

Younger Singles Seek Love but Feel Uncertain

Young singles, particularly those aged 18 to 29, expressed the strongest desire for companionship. Of this group, 43% wanted to fall in love, 39% hoped for a committed relationship, and 22% simply wanted to flirt and have fun. However, a third of young singles admitted they didn’t know where to begin when it came to meeting potential partners.

“While dating options may seem plentiful at first glance, many younger singles feel uncertain and unsure about how to approach the search for love,” said Caroline Erb, a psychologist at Parship.

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