Researchers Claim Dating App Usage Is Behind Falling Wedding Interest In Singapore

Singapore researchers have argued rising use of dating apps could be a probable cause in the notable trend of Singaporeans women’s lack of interest in getting married.

The report also revealed 74 per cent of young women and 64 per cent of young men agree that it is not necessary to get married.

The latest Singapore Perspectives 2024 (SP2024) survey, published at the beginning of the year, highlighted 40 per cent of women aged between 21 and 34 do not envision themselves getting married. 

A recent analysis report from the Institute of Policy Studies, published in The Straits Times last week (July 11), revealed greater access to causal relationships via dating apps could explain the disparity in nuptial interest between both sexes. 

Researchers suggested their “stumbling block” to marriage, more so for women, is gender relations rather than child-rearing. 

Dr Kalpana Vignehsa, IPS Senior Research Fellow, noted: “Men, who have a longer fertile window, may hold onto their desire to marry and parent even if they put it off in favour of more casual dating because they don’t face the fertility time pressure that women do.

“Meanwhile, since marriage is no longer an economic and social necessity for women, it stands to reason that if they do not find a suitable partner while they are younger, they may choose to stay single. Some even choose to independently raise children.”