In the US, 35.7% of women aged 25 and older had never been married, up from 29.3% in 2012. About 51 million single women live in the country, roughly 24% of the adult female population. These shifts show up in household life, with major differences by age and region.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, 53% of single women aged 18-34 use dating apps weekly
- In 2022, 35.7% of women aged 25 and older in the United States had never been married, up from 29.3% in 2012
- 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
- In 2023, single women in the US reported 15% higher life satisfaction scores than single men
- In 2023, 47% of single women identify as feminists
Single women are increasingly active in the workforce and reshaping spending and household trends.
Related reading
01 · Category
Dating and Relationships23 stats
01
In 2023, 53% of single women aged 18-34 use dating apps weekly
02
Single women send 1st message on apps 42% of time (2023 Bumble)
03
37% single women prefer online dating over traditional (2022 Pew)
04
US single women ghosting rate received 28% (2023 Hinge)
05
65% single women want partners with higher education (2023)
06
UK single women average 3 dates/month (2022 ONS)
07
Canada: 48% single women open to age-gap dating (2023)
08
Australia single women prioritize emotional intelligence 72% (2023)
09
Single women rejection tolerance higher at 55% (2023 psych study)
10
EU single women long-distance dating 22% (2022)
11
Japan single women matchmaking app users 35% (2023)
12
India single women arranged date acceptance 18% (2023)
13
Germany single women polyamory interest 12% (2022)
14
Brazil single women speed dating participation 29% (2022)
15
61% single women value shared politics in dating (2023 Pew)
16
France single women friends-to-lovers 38% (2023)
17
Single women deal breakers: unemployment 67% (2023)
18
South Korea single women marriage pressure 82% feel (2023)
19
China single women blind date avg 5/year (2022)
20
Italy single women cohabitation before marriage 45% (2023)
21
Russia single women international dating 15% (2023)
22
Mexico single women casual dating preference 52% (2022)
23
Sweden single women sex positivity 68% (2023)
Interpretation
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.
02 · Category
Demographics24 stats
01
In 2022, 35.7% of women aged 25 and older in the United States had never been married, up from 29.3% in 2012
02
As of 2023, approximately 51 million single women live in the US, representing about 24% of the total adult female population
03
Single women aged 18-29 make up 62% of that age group's women in the US in 2021
04
In 2020, 47% of Black single women aged 25-54 were never married compared to 28% of White single women
05
Urban single women outnumber single men by 20% in major US cities like New York as of 2022 census data
06
41% of single women in the EU aged 20-39 lived alone in 2021
07
In Japan, 2022 data shows 17.8% of women aged 50+ are single and living alone
08
UK 2021 census: 19.4 million single women, 34% of adult female population
09
In India, 2021 NFHS-5 survey found 2.2% of women aged 15-49 are divorced/separated/widowed singles
10
Australia 2022 ABS data: 5.1 million single women, 48% of women 15+
11
Canada 2021 census: 40% of women 15+ are single, totaling 8.2 million
12
In 2023, 28% of single women in the US own homes compared to 52% of married women
13
Single women aged 65+ comprise 12.5 million in the US (2022), 50% of senior women
14
Hispanic single women in US: 42% of those 18-34 never married (2021)
15
In 2022, 55% of single women under 30 in urban China live independently
16
France INSEE 2023: 38% of women 18-49 single
17
Germany 2022: 16.5 million single women, 42% of adult females
18
South Korea 2023: 45% of women 25-34 single
19
Brazil IBGE 2022: 28 million single women 18+
20
Single women in rural US: 22% of adult women vs 30% urban (2021)
21
Italy 2023 ISTAT: 35% women 30-44 single
22
Russia Rosstat 2022: 24 million single women 18+
23
Mexico 2020 census: 15.4% women 15+ single/never married
24
Sweden 2023: 52% single women 20-39
Interpretation
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.
03 · Category
Economic Status23 stats
01
In 2021, single women in the US earned a median income of $50,000annually, 25% higher than single men when adjusted for hours worked
02
2023 data shows 68% of single women aged 25-34 in the US are employed full-time
03
Single women homeownership rate in US reached 15.4 million owners in 2022, 36% of all single-family homes owned by women
04
In 2022, single women in the UK had average savings of £12,500 vs £10,200 for single men
05
US single women debt levels averaged $38,000student loans in 2023 for those under 35
06
42% of single mothers (often transitioning to single) in EU earn below 60% median income (2021)
07
In Canada, single women's median net worth is CAD 112,300 (2022)
08
Australia 2023: Single women average superannuation balance AUD 85,000 at age 40
09
Single professional women in US cities earn 8% more than peers (2022 Glassdoor)
10
2023 Japan: Single women lifetime earnings projected 20% higher due to career focus
11
India single urban women income rose 15% YoY to INR 8.5 lakh avg (2022)
12
Germany 2022: Single women unemployment 4.2% vs 5.1% men
13
Brazil single women labor force participation 58% (2022 IBGE)
14
US single women control 40% of consumer spending in luxury goods (2023)
15
France 2023: Single women avg salary €32,000 vs €28,000 single men
16
Single women in tech US earn median $120,000(2023)
17
South Africa 2022: Single women entrepreneurship rate 12%
18
China urban single women savings rate 35% of income (2022)
19
Italy single women pension avg €1,200/month (2023)
20
2022 US: 75% single women have retirement accounts
21
Russia single women avg wage 45,000 RUB/month (2023)
22
Mexico single women informal employment 45% (2022)
23
Sweden single women wealth Gini 0.28 (2022)
Interpretation
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.
More related reading
04 · Category
Health and Lifestyle25 stats
01
In 2023, single women in the US reported 15% higher life satisfaction scores than single men
02
62% of single women aged 18-29 exercise regularly vs 52% married (2022 CDC)
03
Single women sleep 7.2 hours/night avg, 20 min more than married (2023 Sleep Foundation)
04
2021 data: Single women alcohol consumption lower at 12% heavy drinkers vs 18% men
05
US single women obesity rate 32% vs 38% married women (2022 NHANES)
06
55% single women meditate weekly (2023 Headspace)
07
In EU, single women 25-44 have 25% more travel frequency (2022 Eurostat)
08
Single women life expectancy 81.2 years US (2022)
09
48% single women vegetarian/vegan (2023 Gallup)
10
UK single women mental health score 72/100 vs 68 married (2022 ONS)
11
Canada single women smoking rate 10% (2022)
12
Australia single women gym membership 42% (2023)
13
Single women skincare spend $150/month avg US (2023)
14
Japan single women average 8,000 steps/day (2022)
15
India urban single women yoga practice 65% (2023)
16
Germany single women depression rate 18% vs 22% men (2022)
17
Brazil single women life satisfaction 7.2/10 (2022)
18
70% single women prioritize mental health apps (2023)
19
France single women avg BMI 24.5 (2023)
20
Single women pet ownership 58% US (2023)
21
South Korea single women cosmetic surgery rate 25% (2022)
22
China single women avg sleep 7 hours (2023)
23
Italy single women happiness index 6.9/10 (2023)
24
2023 Russia: Single women stress levels 28% lower than married
25
Mexico single women fitness app users 40% (2022)
Interpretation
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.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Emilia Santos. (2026, February 13). Single Women Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/single-women-statistics
MLA
Emilia Santos. "Single Women Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/single-women-statistics.
Chicago
Emilia Santos. 2026. "Single Women Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/single-women-statistics.
Sources & references
44 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level