Why Being Single Today Is A Choice: New Survey Reveals How Indians Redefine Love

According to the survey, 29% of Indian singles admit that singlehood can feel lonely at times, suggesting that even in an era of hyper-connectivity, emotional companionship still holds weight.

Being single today isn’t about waiting; it’s about becoming. On Singles’ Day, happn, the real-life dating app, conducted its survey to explore how singles across India are embracing independence, navigating loneliness, and redefining what love and connection mean to them.

According to the survey, 29% of Indian singles admit that singlehood can feel lonely at times, suggesting that even in an era of hyper-connectivity, emotional companionship still holds weight. At the same time, 16% say they love being single because it gives them space to focus on themselves, reflecting a growing cultural shift toward prioritising self-care and personal growth.

Being single today isn’t one-size-fits-all, it looks and feels different across generations. Gen Z (18–25), who have grown up online and are used to constant interaction, tend to feel the absence of companionship more intensely. 31% say loneliness hits harder when they’re single, a reflection of a generation that values emotional closeness and connection, even while celebrating independence. Millennials (26–35), on the other hand, approach singlehood with a more measured lens. 25% say they are content being single for now, but open to a relationship when the time feels right, showing that they are learning to balance love with self-assurance.

But as mindsets evolve, societal expectations still linger. For some, being single still carries an invisible timer; 21% feel it’s seen as “temporary,” while 38% say the pressure depends on where you are in life, your age, or even gender. Yet, what stands out is how more singles are choosing to move beyond these norms, redefining singlehood on their own terms and embracing a pace that feels right to them.

This focus on self-care and personal fulfilment is also reshaping how singles show up in relationships. With self-awareness and emotional clarity taking centre stage, singles are approaching love more consciously, 22% say the experience has made them more intentional about choosing a partner, and 24% now set clearer boundaries while dating. Singles are entering relationships with a deeper understanding of themselves, seeking connection not out of pressure, but from a place of purpose and confidence.

Karima Ben Abdelmalek, CEO and President, happn, says, “Being single today is about choice and confidence, not circumstance. Our Singles’ Day survey reveals that singles are using this phase to focus on personal growth, reflect on what they truly want, and approach relationships with intentionality and self-worth. At happn, we see this as a fundamental shift in dating culture, one that celebrates authentic connection, whether that leads to meaningful companionship, friendship, or love when the timing feels right.”