Gen Z Singles Still Expect to Marry, But on Their Own Terms

A new survey by 77 Diamonds reveals that while a majority of Gen Z still plan to get married, their reasons and timing have shifted significantly away from traditional expectations. The study, which surveyed 764 members of Generation Z, found that 72% anticipate marrying at some point. However, nearly half (43%) say marriage is not essential, viewing it instead as a personal choice rather than a societal or religious requirement.

Emotional commitment emerged as the primary reason for wanting to marry, cited by 26% of respondents. This was followed by the desire for a wedding celebration (19%), legal and security benefits (16%), and starting a family (15%). In contrast, traditional drivers such as social or family expectations (4%) and religious reasons (2%) had very little influence.

Timing preferences also reflect a clear departure from past norms. The largest group (42%) expects to marry between the ages of 31 and 35, while 33% plan to wed between 26 and 30. Only 4% consider marrying at age 25 or younger as ideal.

Co-founder of 77 Diamonds, Tobias Kormind, noted that marriage today appears to be a conscious choice rather than an expectation, allowing people to define relationships on their own terms. The findings suggest that Gen Z approaches marriage with greater flexibility and intentionality compared to previous generations. Rather than seeing it as an obligatory milestone, many view marriage as an optional step that should be entered into only when it feels personally meaningful.

Naturally, this has a direct impact on how many people are using dating apps. The changing perception of marriage could lead to more users treating dating apps as a more casual way to build relationships, only starting to seek “serious” connections once they reach their early 30s – or, at the very least, imposing fewer deadlines on themselves to have a locked-down relationship so early in life.