Love on a Budget: Why Gen Z Isn’t Paying for Dates

Gen Z’s love lives may be feeling the pinch of a “romance recession.” A new Bank of America report finds 53% of Gen Z men and 54% of Gen Z women spend $0 on dates each month—mirroring broader trends of fewer dates, less sex, and more time alone. Experts point to pandemic-era habits, dating-app burnout (Forbes says 79% have felt it), the emergence of AI “companions,” and tight finances—39% still receive parental support, 53% say they don’t earn enough for their desired lifestyle, and 75% aren’t saving for retirement. With milestones shifting and the U.S. birthrate at historic lows, analysts warn the cultural and economic ripple effects could be significant.