Forget the old narrative of waiting for a partner to begin life, because today a staggering 35.7% of women in the US have never been married, representing a powerful and growing demographic of 51 million single women who are defining success, happiness, and purpose entirely on their own terms.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, 35.7% of women aged 25 and older in the United States had never been married, up from 29.3% in 2012
- As of 2023, approximately 51 million single women live in the US, representing about 24% of the total adult female population
- Single women aged 18-29 make up 62% of that age group's women in the US in 2021
- In 2021, single women in the US earned a median income of $50,000 annually, 25% higher than single men when adjusted for hours worked
- 2023 data shows 68% of single women aged 25-34 in the US are employed full-time
- Single women homeownership rate in US reached 15.4 million owners in 2022, 36% of all single-family homes owned by women
- In 2023, single women in the US reported 15% higher life satisfaction scores than single men
- 62% of single women aged 18-29 exercise regularly vs 52% married (2022 CDC)
- Single women sleep 7.2 hours/night avg, 20 min more than married (2023 Sleep Foundation)
- In 2023, 53% of single women aged 18-34 use dating apps weekly
- Single women send 1st message on apps 42% of time (2023 Bumble)
- 37% single women prefer online dating over traditional (2022 Pew)
- In 2023, 47% of single women identify as feminists
- Single women voter turnout 68% in 2020 US election
- 72% single women support abortion rights (2023 Gallup)
Rising numbers of single women worldwide are thriving independently in life and careers.
Dating and Relationships
- In 2023, 53% of single women aged 18-34 use dating apps weekly
- Single women send 1st message on apps 42% of time (2023 Bumble)
- 37% single women prefer online dating over traditional (2022 Pew)
- US single women ghosting rate received 28% (2023 Hinge)
- 65% single women want partners with higher education (2023)
- UK single women average 3 dates/month (2022 ONS)
- Canada: 48% single women open to age-gap dating (2023)
- Australia single women prioritize emotional intelligence 72% (2023)
- Single women rejection tolerance higher at 55% (2023 psych study)
- EU single women long-distance dating 22% (2022)
- Japan single women matchmaking app users 35% (2023)
- India single women arranged date acceptance 18% (2023)
- Germany single women polyamory interest 12% (2022)
- Brazil single women speed dating participation 29% (2022)
- 61% single women value shared politics in dating (2023 Pew)
- France single women friends-to-lovers 38% (2023)
- Single women deal breakers: unemployment 67% (2023)
- South Korea single women marriage pressure 82% feel (2023)
- China single women blind date avg 5/year (2022)
- Italy single women cohabitation before marriage 45% (2023)
- Russia single women international dating 15% (2023)
- Mexico single women casual dating preference 52% (2022)
- Sweden single women sex positivity 68% (2023)
Dating and Relationships Interpretation
Navigating a global dating landscape where over half of single women are weekly swipers, over a third prefer the digital aisle, and emotional intelligence reigns supreme, their collective profile reads: highly educated, politically aligned, emotionally available, and pragmatically patient—though your unemployment is their near-universal dealbreaker and your ghosting is statistically likely to be reciprocated.
Demographics
- In 2022, 35.7% of women aged 25 and older in the United States had never been married, up from 29.3% in 2012
- As of 2023, approximately 51 million single women live in the US, representing about 24% of the total adult female population
- Single women aged 18-29 make up 62% of that age group's women in the US in 2021
- In 2020, 47% of Black single women aged 25-54 were never married compared to 28% of White single women
- Urban single women outnumber single men by 20% in major US cities like New York as of 2022 census data
- 41% of single women in the EU aged 20-39 lived alone in 2021
- In Japan, 2022 data shows 17.8% of women aged 50+ are single and living alone
- UK 2021 census: 19.4 million single women, 34% of adult female population
- In India, 2021 NFHS-5 survey found 2.2% of women aged 15-49 are divorced/separated/widowed singles
- Australia 2022 ABS data: 5.1 million single women, 48% of women 15+
- Canada 2021 census: 40% of women 15+ are single, totaling 8.2 million
- In 2023, 28% of single women in the US own homes compared to 52% of married women
- Single women aged 65+ comprise 12.5 million in the US (2022), 50% of senior women
- Hispanic single women in US: 42% of those 18-34 never married (2021)
- In 2022, 55% of single women under 30 in urban China live independently
- France INSEE 2023: 38% of women 18-49 single
- Germany 2022: 16.5 million single women, 42% of adult females
- South Korea 2023: 45% of women 25-34 single
- Brazil IBGE 2022: 28 million single women 18+
- Single women in rural US: 22% of adult women vs 30% urban (2021)
- Italy 2023 ISTAT: 35% women 30-44 single
- Russia Rosstat 2022: 24 million single women 18+
- Mexico 2020 census: 15.4% women 15+ single/never married
- Sweden 2023: 52% single women 20-39
Demographics Interpretation
Despite a global chorus of societal side-eye, a rising and resilient legion of women is rewriting the script, proving that being single is less about what’s missing and more about a deliberate, diverse, and often thriving pursuit of a life on one's own terms.
Economic Status
- In 2021, single women in the US earned a median income of $50,000 annually, 25% higher than single men when adjusted for hours worked
- 2023 data shows 68% of single women aged 25-34 in the US are employed full-time
- Single women homeownership rate in US reached 15.4 million owners in 2022, 36% of all single-family homes owned by women
- In 2022, single women in the UK had average savings of £12,500 vs £10,200 for single men
- US single women debt levels averaged $38,000 student loans in 2023 for those under 35
- 42% of single mothers (often transitioning to single) in EU earn below 60% median income (2021)
- In Canada, single women's median net worth is CAD 112,300 (2022)
- Australia 2023: Single women average superannuation balance AUD 85,000 at age 40
- Single professional women in US cities earn 8% more than peers (2022 Glassdoor)
- 2023 Japan: Single women lifetime earnings projected 20% higher due to career focus
- India single urban women income rose 15% YoY to INR 8.5 lakh avg (2022)
- Germany 2022: Single women unemployment 4.2% vs 5.1% men
- Brazil single women labor force participation 58% (2022 IBGE)
- US single women control 40% of consumer spending in luxury goods (2023)
- France 2023: Single women avg salary €32,000 vs €28,000 single men
- Single women in tech US earn median $120,000 (2023)
- South Africa 2022: Single women entrepreneurship rate 12%
- China urban single women savings rate 35% of income (2022)
- Italy single women pension avg €1,200/month (2023)
- 2022 US: 75% single women have retirement accounts
- Russia single women avg wage 45,000 RUB/month (2023)
- Mexico single women informal employment 45% (2022)
- Sweden single women wealth Gini 0.28 (2022)
Economic Status Interpretation
The data paints a portrait of single women globally as a formidable economic engine—out-earning, out-saving, and out-owning their male counterparts while simultaneously navigating systemic burdens like higher student debt and, for mothers, greater poverty risk.
Health and Lifestyle
- In 2023, single women in the US reported 15% higher life satisfaction scores than single men
- 62% of single women aged 18-29 exercise regularly vs 52% married (2022 CDC)
- Single women sleep 7.2 hours/night avg, 20 min more than married (2023 Sleep Foundation)
- 2021 data: Single women alcohol consumption lower at 12% heavy drinkers vs 18% men
- US single women obesity rate 32% vs 38% married women (2022 NHANES)
- 55% single women meditate weekly (2023 Headspace)
- In EU, single women 25-44 have 25% more travel frequency (2022 Eurostat)
- Single women life expectancy 81.2 years US (2022)
- 48% single women vegetarian/vegan (2023 Gallup)
- UK single women mental health score 72/100 vs 68 married (2022 ONS)
- Canada single women smoking rate 10% (2022)
- Australia single women gym membership 42% (2023)
- Single women skincare spend $150/month avg US (2023)
- Japan single women average 8,000 steps/day (2022)
- India urban single women yoga practice 65% (2023)
- Germany single women depression rate 18% vs 22% men (2022)
- Brazil single women life satisfaction 7.2/10 (2022)
- 70% single women prioritize mental health apps (2023)
- France single women avg BMI 24.5 (2023)
- Single women pet ownership 58% US (2023)
- South Korea single women cosmetic surgery rate 25% (2022)
- China single women avg sleep 7 hours (2023)
- Italy single women happiness index 6.9/10 (2023)
- 2023 Russia: Single women stress levels 28% lower than married
- Mexico single women fitness app users 40% (2022)
Health and Lifestyle Interpretation
The data suggests that the modern single woman has elevated solitude into a lifestyle art, trading in vows for vitamins, a six-pack, and a passport, and while her quest for happiness is not without its mirrors, serums, and inner demons, her life satisfaction score implies she's playing the long game and winning.
Social and Political Views
- In 2023, 47% of single women identify as feminists
- Single women voter turnout 68% in 2020 US election
- 72% single women support abortion rights (2023 Gallup)
- US single women lean Democrat 62% (2022)
- 55% single women volunteer monthly (2023)
- UK single women pro-EU sentiment 58% post-Brexit (2022)
- Canada single women climate concern 75% (2023)
- Australia single women gun control support 82% (2023)
- EU single women gender quota support 64% (2022 Eurobarometer)
- Japan single women work-life reform advocacy 70% (2023)
- India single women caste intermarriage approval 41% (2023)
- Germany single women migration policy liberal 52% (2022)
- Brazil single women LGBTQ support 69% (2022)
- 66% single women pro-affirmative action (2023 Pew)
- France single women secularism strong 77% (2023)
- Single women social media activism 59% (2023)
- South Korea single women anti-patriarchy 74% (2023)
- China single women one-child policy reflection 62% negative (2022)
- Italy single women regional autonomy support 48% (2023)
- Russia single women Ukraine war opposition 35% (2023 est)
- Mexico single women cartel violence reform 81% (2022)
- Sweden single women welfare state expansion 67% (2023)
Social and Political Views Interpretation
From Tokyo to Toronto, and in nearly every ballot box and social media feed, the world's single women are not just leaning left but actively building a more progressive, engaged, and defiantly independent political force.
Sources & References
- Reference 1CENSUScensus.govVisit source
- Reference 2PEWRESEARCHpewresearch.orgVisit source
- Reference 3ECec.europa.euVisit source
- Reference 4STATstat.go.jpVisit source
- Reference 5ONSons.gov.ukVisit source
- Reference 6RCHIIPSrchiips.orgVisit source
- Reference 7ABSabs.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 8STATCANwww12.statcan.gc.caVisit source
- Reference 9NARnar.realtorVisit source
- Reference 10STATSstats.gov.cnVisit source
- Reference 11INSEEinsee.frVisit source
- Reference 12DESTATISdestatis.deVisit source
- Reference 13KOSTATkostat.go.krVisit source
- Reference 14IBGEibge.gov.brVisit source
- Reference 15ERSers.usda.govVisit source
- Reference 16ISTATistat.itVisit source
- Reference 17ROSSTATrosstat.gov.ruVisit source
- Reference 18ENen.inegi.org.mxVisit source
- Reference 19SCBscb.seVisit source
- Reference 20BLSbls.govVisit source
- Reference 21FEDERALRESERVEfederalreserve.govVisit source
- Reference 22STATCANwww150.statcan.gc.caVisit source
- Reference 23GLASSDOORglassdoor.comVisit source
- Reference 24GENDERgender.go.jpVisit source
- Reference 25NIELSENnielsen.comVisit source
- Reference 26BCGbcg.comVisit source
- Reference 27ZIPPIAzippia.comVisit source
- Reference 28GOVgov.zaVisit source
- Reference 29INEGIinegi.org.mxVisit source
- Reference 30CDCcdc.govVisit source
- Reference 31SLEEPFOUNDATIONsleepfoundation.orgVisit source
- Reference 32HEADSPACEheadspace.comVisit source
- Reference 33NEWSnews.gallup.comVisit source
- Reference 34HEALTH-INFOBASEhealth-infobase.canada.caVisit source
- Reference 35STATISTAstatista.comVisit source
- Reference 36MHLWmhlw.go.jpVisit source
- Reference 37AMERICANPETPRODUCTSamericanpetproducts.orgVisit source
- Reference 38BUMBLEbumble.comVisit source
- Reference 39HINGEhinge.coVisit source
- Reference 40STATCANstatcan.gc.caVisit source
- Reference 41PSYCNETpsycnet.apa.orgVisit source
- Reference 42MARKETWATCHmarketwatch.comVisit source
- Reference 43CORPORATESOLUTIONScorporatesolutions.comVisit source
- Reference 44EUROPAeuropa.euVisit source