25% of all people are single, and many of them don’t date at all. Why? Read on to find out if your dating standards are impossible to meet.
According to the latest statistics, 2.1 billion people worldwide are single, roughly 25% of the world’s population. 89% of singles who don’t date attribute their choice to being bad at flirting.
75% of singles think being too picky is a valid reason not to date. Women are pickier, with the figure for them being 82.1%. Are you in this group?
It is somewhat consoling that a higher level of education reduces the probability of being single. Twenty-five percent of Americans with a college degree are single, compared to 34 percent of high school graduates.
Two additional reasons for not dating are “bad luck in the past” and “health issues,” with 18% and 11% of surveyed singles citing them. Unattainable dating standards is a third.
These figures are not gender-dictated. The US singles rate is the same for men and women. 31% of both genders are single.
5 Common Dating Myths
We’ll start with “unicorns in dating,” a term that’s gathering momentum in 2024. A unicorn, in this context, is typically a bisexual woman who joins a couple for a threesome or as part of a three-way relationship. The term can also apply to a person of any gender who a couple seeks to fulfill a similar role. However, it can also mean other things in other dating niches.
The term “unicorn” is used because this type of person is rare and often idealized. Just as unicorns don’t exist, a person who fits the specific desires of a couple and is interested in joining them is seen as nearly impossible to find.
Opposites attract
People use this oversimplified notion to justify being with someone incompatible. Swearing by this myth brings more heartache than anything else.
The ideal match is out there
You can’t be perfectly compatible with someone. Main values need to overlap, but you should expect differences on top of that.
I’m in the wrong city
Even if it starts out as a long-distance relationship, it will work if they’re the right person.
Rules around sex
Don’t stick to arbitrary sex rules, like the minimum five-date rule. While boundaries are important, love has no rules.
All the good ones are taken
Finally, some give up on dating because they think they are too old or find another explanation for why the best people are taken. Divorced people and others coming out of long-term relationships can be great matches. They have experience, know what they want, and value relationships more than many.
Are you too picky? The bottom line
- You are always disappointed because potential partners don’t meet your expectations
- Your list of requirements is extensive
- You’re unwilling to compromise on any of them
- You’re unwilling to compromise on minor things
- You frequently go on dates but rarely feel a connection
- You dismiss potential matches after just one or two dates
- You want someone who is physically, emotionally, and financially flawless
- You compare every date to an idealized version of a partner
- You always think someone better is around the corner
If three or more of these are true for you, your standards could be unattainable. Learn to differentiate between must-haves and nice-to-haves and focus on qualities that are essential for a long-term partnership.
