Dating apps, social media, singles mixers and self-help podcasts – never have there been so many tools to make finding love easier. So why does it still feel so hard?

We surveyed 1,000 singles and unmarried people in relationships, aged between 18 and 35, to understand the challenges of modern dating. The survey was commissioned by The Straits Times and carried out by market research firm Kantar in December 2025.

About half of the respondents described Singapore’s dating scene as bleak, citing limited opportunities to meet new people, rising living costs, the frustrations of using dating apps and, for some, societal expectations.

Let’s unpack it. These are real dating stories from Singaporeans – start with the one that feels most like you.

Names have been changed to maintain privacy.