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PARSHIP Singles Survey 2008 Media Summary UK PARSHIP Singles Survey 2008 2 PARSHIP Singles Survey 2008 Media Summary Key findings from the second European survey of single people, Conducted on behalf of PARSHIP - the online dating service that’s serious about relationships. Five or six years ago, if you said you’d met someone special on the Internet, people might have been a little surprised, and maybe even mildly shocked. Now, as is shown by the results of this survey – the largest of its kind in Europe – Internet dating has been adopted by some 50% of single people in the UK, with people in their 30’s currently proving especially enthusiastic. The results of this survey suggest that there is an important role for an online dating service that opens the way to successful relationships. Many British singles are not happy with their lot: they believe in long-term relationships and show a perhaps surprising attachment to the idea of marriage. At the same time they uphold the traditional British reputation for reserve and are not ready to make too many compromises in their choice of a partner. Women in particular are imposing high standards on their choice of a man, while men are plagued by self-doubt. Even in the easy-going Britain of 2008, there are barriers to be overcome when it comes to making that first step towards a fulfilling relationship. Perhaps PARSHIP can help ease the way: with the help of a psychometric compatibility test, PARSHIP brings together people who can be reassured from the first moment that there are genuine reasons why they could be ‘made for each other’; and it is probably easier for the diffident Brit to make those delicate first approaches via a discreet online message than to attempt to catch a stranger’s eye across a crowded room. We hope you find the results of this Singles Survey both interesting and illuminating. It could turn out to be the start of something wonderful … With best regards Tony Blin-Stoyle Manager – UK & Ireland PARSHIP.co.uk PARSHIP.ie PARSHIP Singles Survey 2008 3 Contents 1 INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY 2 THE UK SINGLE 3 MARRIAGE OR COHABITATION? 4 THE SEARCH FOR MR OR MS RIGHT MOVES TO THE INTERNET 5 IT’S SOCIABLY ACCEPTABLE TO MEET SOMEONE ON THE INTERNET 6 BRITISH SINGLES PLAY THE WAITING GAME 7 DATING BY NUMBERS 8 A MASS OF CONTRADICTIONS 9 BRITISH WOMEN ARE CONFIDENT ENOUGH TO WAIT FOR MR RIGHT 10 BRITISH MEN ARE TOO SHY TO TRY 11 THE ONLINE DATING MARKET 12 SINGLE GUIDE – EUROPEAN DIFFERENCES 13 ABOUT PARSHIP 14 CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION PARSHIP Singles Survey 2008 4 1 INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY A pioneer in online dating as the first service to focus on people in search of a long-term relationship, PARSHIP first went live in Germany on Valentine’s Day 2001. Since then, PARSHIP has evolved into a market leader in Europe. 2002 saw the beginnings of international expansion and today www.parship.com links to 14 national services: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, and Mexico. In 2008, with the 2nd European Singles Survey, PARSHIP will provide food for thought and stimulate some lively discussions on developments in society. Above all the survey provides insights into the lifestyle and attitudes of single people, their search for a partner, and their views on relationships. Methodology For this study, conducted in October 2007, PARSHIP joined forces with the market research institute Innofact to survey more than 13,000 people aged between 18 and 59, single and in long- term relationships, in 13 Western European countries. The study focuses on the topics of lifestyle, relationships, looking for a partner and online dating. More than 100 different themes were investigated. The results have been broken down for each country and for single people and partnered people. Age of respondents In order to provide a valid comparison between countries, the random sample in each country was identically structured in terms of age and gender, with a 50/50 split between: male and female respondents; single people/partnered people; the 18-39 and 40-59 age groups. Definition of a single The starting point for the survey was the definition of single as “someone who is not in a steady relationship”, whereas studies of single people have traditionally defined respondents as “unmarried people” or “single-person households”. Countries participating The survey covered 13 Western European countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK. PARSHIP, represented in all these countries with a locally-focused online service, is particularly interested in researching the characteristics, attitudes and habits of single people in each of these countries. PARSHIP Singles Survey 2008 5 2 THE UK SINGLE Bridget Jones may have been the UK’s emblematic female singleton in recent years, but these days it's the men of Britain who are more likely to follow in her path … Say hello to Brendan Jones British singles are the most dissatisfied with their single status, men more so than women. UK men and women may be the most dissatisfied, shy and serially single in Europe, but their lone- some state results partly from ideals: they believe in holding out for Mr or Ms Right and they also favour marriage over a long-term commitment without the wedding contract. UK singles, together with the Germans, are the least happy in Europe, with 35% saying they are dissatisfied with their single status and only 39% saying they are truly satisfied. The happiest are the Dutch, with 62% of singles in the Netherlands claiming to be happy and satisfied. To put this into perspective, 85% of British people in a relationship say they are very or fairly satisfied. Dr Victoria Lukats, psychiatrist and dating expert for PARSHIP.co.uk commented “These figures show that, in the UK, men are more likely to be dissatisfied with their single status than women. One possible explanation could be that women have now become much more independent and many no longer see becoming a wife and mother as their ultimate goal. However, it is well known that men benefit much more than women do from being in a relationship: scientific studies have shown that married men live longer and enjoy better physical and mental health compared to their single counterparts. The same trend does not exist for married women. PARSHIP’s single survey complements these findings: UK men with part- ners are more satisfied with their relationship than women are, and UK single men are more dissatisfied with their single status than single women.” 2.1 European singles dissatisfied with their single status 50 40 35% 35% 31% 29% 30% 30 27% 27% 25% 23% 25% 19% 20 17% 18% 19% 10 0 DE FR NL CH AT UK IT ES B DK SW NO IR EU PARSHIP Singles Survey 2008 6 3 MARRIAGE OR COHABITATION? There are an estimated 15 million singles now living in Britain (source ONS 2006) of which half (51% or 7.65 million) are looking for a long term-relationship; 17% would prefer a casual relationship and 28% are not looking for a relationship at all. However, unlike their European counterparts – who, with the exception of Ireland, would choose an unformalised long-term relationship over marriage (across Europe an average of 35% favour a long-term relationship and 17% a marital commitment) – UK singles would go for wedding rings (29%) rather than simple cohabitation (24%). Clearly, marriage is not a priority for the majority of Europeans. All the mainland countries in the survey favour cohabitation, with – at the other end of the spectrum from the British Isles – only 8% of Austrians wanting marriage. As might be expected, it’s women in the UK who especially favour marriage vows: one third of them (34%) are looking forward to their Big Day, compared to just one quarter (24%) of British men. 3.1 What type of relationship are European singles looking to form? 100% 90% 80% 70% 14% 13% 19% 13% 14% 13% 21%30%17% No relationship 60% 8% 17% 18% 12% 29% 50% Commitment leading to marriage 40% Commitment not marriage 30% Casual relationship 20% 10% 0% DE FR NL CH AT UK IT ES B DK SW NO IR EU PARSHIP Singles Survey 2008 7 3 MARRIAGE OR COHABITATION? continued 3.2 Percentages of women and men looking for commitment leading to marriage 40 34% 35 30%31% 30 24% 25 Men 20 18 16 Women 15 10 8% 8% 5 0 British Irish Austrians Europeans 3.3 Percentage of singles believing that one partner should stay home to raise children 100 90 88 90 81 79 79 80 74 74 74 69 68 68 70 66 62 60 60 Both partners should pursue their career 50 40 One partner gives up their 32 32 career and stays at home 30 27 21 22 21 20 19 19 17 20 14 10 11 10 7 0 SP SW DK NO IT AU DE B NL FR UK CH IR EU Dr Victoria Lukats comments: Whilst these survey figures may suggest a large proportion -- over half – of UK single people are looking for a long-term relationship it’s difficult to interpret exactly what proportion see marriage as the ideal form of commitment. Many people will be open to the idea of marriage but will not necessarily know if it is for them until they have met the right person. So, even though we cannot say exactly what percentage of people intend to marry in the future, when compared to other countries in Europe, the UK still has relatively traditional views on marriage.