After a year of dating re-evaluations, learnings, and disappointments, our conversations about dating have gotten real. But singles haven’t given up looking for a relationship, they’re more determined, with nearly 3 in 4 globally (72%) looking to find a long-term partner in the next year. However, the level of tolerance has changed. Especially among women in India, more than 2 in 3 (70%) say they are becoming more honest with themselves and no longer compromising.
Women-first dating app Bumble has released its latest predictions to help singles take their connections from DMs to IRL. Research from over 40,000 Gen Z and millennial Bumble members from around the world, including over 2,000 singles in India, revealed that dating is evolving with people feeling positive about the realities of finding the right relationship. Bumble’s hot take? Although the dating discussion has varied over the past year, one thing remains true: dating never went away and isn’t going anywhere, but our approach to relationships is changing in remarkable ways.
Bumble’s 2024 trends show singles rejecting the constant striving for perfection, abandoning old timelines, and placing more value on emotional vulnerability and shared values. 2025 is expected to be a transitional year, in which women will be very clear about what they want and need, and what they are not willing to tolerate when it comes to dating and relationships.
Over the past year, the majority (87%) of single Indians on Bumble experienced many positive aspects of dating in 2024: the excitement of meeting someone new, increasing their confidence, and discovering new characteristics in who they want . As we head into 2025, Bumble research shows that singles are clear about their desire to lean into romance, full transparency, shared community values, and platonic male friendships at important moments, so that’s what’s driving the growth in dating next year. To help navigate.
Bumble’s dating hot-takes for 2025 include:
1. Micro-meat:
From cringing and embracing PDA to rom-coms and a new adoration for meet-cute, romance is making a comeback in 2025: More than half (57%) of women in India are self-proclaimed romantics who love romantically. And for 1 in 3 (35%) women, a lack of romance has had a negative impact on their dating life. The desire for romance is clear, but instead of grand gestures, people are approaching romance in a new way — through micro-infatuation — a word for expressing their feelings.
Through small gestures, with big impact. In fact, a majority (92%) of single Indians agree that the way we show love and affection now includes behaviors like sending memes, sending playlists, or sharing inside jokes or morning coffee walks. Are. On Bumble, ‘Fastest way to my heart’ is one of the top prompts globally, highlighting that micro-meets are already alive and well on the app.
2. DWM (Date With Me):
From Dating GRWMs, to live-streamed break-ups, post-date debriefs, hard launches, relationship “tests,” and Dating Wrapped, dating has become our new favorite reality show. Bumble predicts that this growing social media bubble of embracing a new reality will be even more relevant in 2025: Nearly half (48%) of Indian singles are celebrating more authentic dating and relationship content that not only elevates But also showcasing the following, serving as a ‘window’ to the wider dating experience. This shift towards more transparent, shared dating experiences is having a positive impact, resulting in 1 in 4 (26%) women surveyed locally feeling less self-conscious and lonely. Seeing others openly discuss these experiences inspires healthy relationship goals, helps people recognize potential red flags, and have bigger conversations first. In fact, more than a third of singles (39%) say realistic, positive dating content creates optimism about their own love lives, with this being even more prevalent among women (50%).
3. On the same (fan) page:
A shared love of sports ruled 2024, but beyond sports, there were micro-communities (book clubs and run clubs), fandoms (hello Diljit and Taylor), and specific interests like cooking classes, wine tasting, calisthenics, and backpacking. Are increasing. On our social feeds. It’s also changing who and how we date, with almost half (49%) of single Indians saying unique and quirky interests are now the key to attraction. Yes, participating in activities and social communities can indeed make you more attractive, and for 1 in 2 women globally (50%) showing up authentically when dating means leaning into their passions and interests. . Not only does this help identify partners, start conversations, and build compatibility, but half (49%) of GenZ singles agree that mulling over something together is a form of intimacy. Bumble recently launched over 30 new interest badges to celebrate the many unique interests of its global community, like trivia, thrifting, cold plunging, crocheting, and house plants. Now you can filter according to your chosen interests on the app too.
4. Male-Casting:
From baby girls to the return of men and hunks in finance, there has been an explosion of male ideals in pop culture with a broader conversation on how to identify ideal (or less ideal) characteristics. Globally, 1 in 3 (33%) agree that this year, more than ever, there has been more conversation on male stereotypes. But are they a help or a hindrance in dating? Similar to women’s experience, 1 in 4 (27%) men say these things make them uncomfortable because people make assumptions about their character and intentions. As we enter 2025, more than half of Indian women (54%) agree that the conversation on masculinity needs to evolve to allow men to define what constitutes positive masculinity individually. How does it look?
5. Future-Proof:
In today’s world, uncertainty about the future, whether it’s finances, job security, housing, or climate change, is impacting our love lives. An overwhelming majority (94%) of single Indians say that their worries about the future are influencing who and how they date. For 6 in 10 (62%) women in India, growing concerns about the future are leading them to place greater importance on sustainability.
– Looking for a partner who is emotionally compatible, reliable and has clear goals in life. Looking ahead, singles can expect these conversations to be top of mind from the start, with 1 in 4 (27%) women worldwide pushing to discuss these topics earlier than ever, leading to There can be open discussions about budget and housing. , climate change, and job ambitions.
6. People Who Get It:
From group chats to pre- and post-date promotions, when it comes to dating, the new friend filter is on the rise, the rise of the best friend. Nearly a third (32%) of single Indian women say they are more open about their dating lives with their male friends than before, which could lead to men connecting with their friends in a healthier way and becoming a more important part. indicates a shift towards. Their support network. Among Indian women, 1 in 5 (22%) now ask their male friends to filter potential dates. Globally, the majority of women (54%) rely on the men in their lives to help explain their dating behavior. Spoiler alert: sometimes there isn’t one.
“Each year we ask our global community about their thoughts on dating, the new behaviors they’re seeing, and what they want and need in the year ahead,” said Pracheta Majumdar, India senior marketing manager at Bumble. Are. 2025 is going to be a transitional year for dating and we can see it in how single people, especially women, are becoming very clear about what they want and need, and when it comes to dating and relationships. What are they not ready to tolerate if it comes?
Furthermore, he added, “What we are seeing is a huge shift towards realism, with people becoming increasingly more transparent, securing themselves for the future, and knowing more about themselves before committing to a relationship. Taking time to find someone to support unique interests. Whether they’re looking for something casual, something serious, or something in between, these trends reflect what we’ve heard from our community, which is that they’re looking for engaging conversations that lead to authentic real-life connections . ,
