YouGov: Dating Apps Account for One in Five British Relationships

Most Britons are currently in a relationship, and the majority of those partnered say they are happy with their relationship. According to new research from YouGov, one in five of these relationships originated from dating app platforms, with long-term relationships being a common result.

The survey of 1,882 Britons, conducted on 9-10 July 2026, found that two-thirds of respondents are currently in a relationship, while 25% have previously been in one and 9% have never been in a relationship.

Work and mutual friends are the most common ways respondents said they met their current or most recent partner. Dating apps account for around one in nine relationship formations overall, rising to approximately one in five among people in their thirties. Around 11% of total relationships stem from dating apps, with 5% coming from older dating platforms such as browser websites. This is lower than work relationships, but far higher than shared hobbies or school/university peers.

Notably, the amount of people that have met their partner simply in passing has dropped dramatically, with younger age groups seeming far more likely to meet partnes over a dating app. Dating app dominance hits its peak around the 30-39 years old age group, with non-app dating platforms being more dominant in the 40-49 year range.

The findings also highlight changing views around what constitutes cheating. Almost a quarter of Britons who have been in a relationship say they have cheated on a partner. Sending nude images, using dating apps while in a relationship and kissing someone else are widely considered forms of cheating. Attitudes become less clear around newer forms of interaction. Almost half (47%) consider engaging with OnlyFans creators to be cheating, while 30% say the same about having romantic or sexual conversations with AI chatbots.

For single Britons, the picture is similarly mixed. Most say they are happy being single, while a quarter would currently prefer to be in a relationship. The most common reason for being single is not having met the right person, cited by 42%, while 29% say dating is stressful or difficult.