A recent study from the University of Zurich highlights a concerning trend among young adults who remain single for extended periods. The research indicates that long-term singles experience a significant decline in life satisfaction, coupled with increased feelings of loneliness and depression, particularly as they approach their late twenties.
The study, led by Michael Krämer, a senior researcher at the university’s Department of Psychology, analyzed data from over 17,000 young individuals in Germany and the United Kingdom who had no prior relationship experience when the study commenced. Participants were assessed annually from the ages of 16 to 29 to understand the impact of prolonged singlehood on their well-being.
Profile of Long-Term Singles
The findings reveal specific demographic trends among those likely to remain single. Men, individuals with higher education levels, and those reporting lower overall well-being are statistically more inclined to experience extended periods of singlehood. Krämer noted, “Our results demonstrate that both socio-demographic factors such as education and psychological characteristics such as current well-being help predict who will enter into a romantic relationship and who won’t.” This aligns with previous sociological research indicating a correlation between educational focus and delayed romantic commitments.
The study also outlines the emotional ramifications of long-term singlehood. As individuals navigate their early adulthood, those who remain single for significant durations face increasing isolation and a marked decline in life satisfaction. These feelings of loneliness intensify in their late twenties, coinciding with a rise in depressive symptoms.
The Benefits of Early Relationships
In contrast, the study examines the positive effects of entering a first romantic relationship. Participants who began dating reported improvements in life satisfaction and reduced loneliness, both in the short term and long term. Interestingly, while emotional well-being improved, no significant effect on depressive symptoms was observed.
Krämer emphasizes that the longer individuals remain single, the more difficult it may become to form meaningful relationships. “While long-term singles and those who entered a romantic relationship later differed very little during adolescence, these differences increased significantly the longer singlehood lasted,” he explained. This suggests that as individuals reach their late twenties, the challenges of forming new partnerships may become more pronounced.
The research findings indicate that prolonged singlehood in young adulthood carries moderate risks to emotional well-being. As individuals prioritize personal goals and education, the consequences of remaining single become increasingly evident.
The study, titled “Life Satisfaction, Loneliness, and Depressivity in Consistently Single Young Adults in Germany and the UK,” is set to be published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology in 2026. For further details, the study can be accessed through the DOI: 10.1037/pspp0000595.
As society continues to evolve and redefine relationship norms, this research serves as a reminder of the potential emotional costs associated with delayed romantic commitments among young adults.
