Gen Z Least Willing to Date Across Political Lines, Survey Shows

A new Lovehoney survey of UK adults reveals clear generational differences in how political views affect dating decisions. Only 14% of Gen Z respondents (18–24) said they would “definitely” date someone with different political opinions. This stands in contrast to older generations, with 28% of those over 65 and 33% of Boomers (55–64) expressing openness to dating across political differences.

Gen Z women were the least flexible group, with just 13% saying yes and 26% saying they would “definitely not” date someone with opposing views. The survey suggests younger daters increasingly view political beliefs as reflections of moral character and values rather than simple differences of opinion. Millennials showed more variation, with men aged 25–34 being the most open at 35%, while older Millennials (35–44) were at 23%. Gen X (45–54) stood at 21%.

Lovehoney’s sex and relationship expert Annabelle Knight noted that younger generations are more likely to see politics as intertwined with personal identity. Older generations, having experienced decades of political shifts, appear more inclined to separate political differences from personal compatibility and often adopt an “agree to disagree” mindset.

The findings highlight how political polarization is influencing modern dating, particularly among Gen Z users who have grown up in highly divided digital environments. This may contribute to challenges in forming connections and could explain part of the reported decline in sexual activity and relationship formation among younger adults.