Young Americans are increasingly not entering into romantic relationships – a reality that researchers now warn could be harmful for their health.
The number of Gen Zers – those born between 1997 and 2012 – reporting they had been in a relationship at any point as a teen was 20 percent lower than Gen Xers and 22 percent lower than Baby Boomers, according to a 2023 poll from the Survey Center on American Life, and a 2025 study from the American Institute for Boys and Men found that more than 40 percent of Gen Z men reported having no relationship experience as teens last year.
In fact, a recent national survey of 20,000 people deemed Gen Z the “loneliest generation,” besting even Millennials.
Now, a new analysis of more than 17,000 teens and young adults in Germany and the United Kingdom shows anyone who remains single over an extended period experiences increasing feelings of loneliness and a greater decline in life satisfaction.
The deficits to well-being also tick up during peoples’ late twenties, a time when symptoms of depression rise, researchers at Switzerland’s University of Zurich said in a release.
“Overall, our findings show that remaining single for a prolonged period in young adulthood is associated with moderate risks to well-being,” Michael Krämer, a senior researcher, explained.
The education problem
The researchers looked at the responses of people between the ages of 16 and 29 years old.
The examination showed that men, people with higher levels of education, people whose current well-being is lower and people who live alone or with a parent are more likely to remain single for longer.
“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,” Krämer said.
He noted that the results support previous research regarding a link between focusing on education and postponing committed relationships.
Meet cute
The researchers also discovered the importance of a first relationship for young people.
Respondents who entered their first partnership reported a higher life satisfaction and feeling less lonely.
This was true in both the shorter and longer term. But, the longer people wait to enter a first relationship, the longer being single lasted.
“This suggests that entering a first relationship may become more difficult when people are in their late 20s – especially since lower well-being also increases the likelihood of remaining single for longer,” Krämer said.
The issue with loneliness
The negative health effects of loneliness have been widely researched, and there’s no shortage of concerns.
For one, loneliness raises levels of the stress hormone cortisol, leaving people at risk for vascular, immune system and heart problems, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Other health risks associated with loneliness include high blood pressure, dementia, diabetes, stroke, suicide and premature death.
“We know the effect stress has on the body and loneliness is extremely stressful,” psychologist Dr. Adam Borland told the clinic. “If we’re experiencing loneliness, we don’t necessarily take care of ourselves the way we should. And that can lead to health issues.”
