Anyone who’s ever been on a date (like, really just one date) knows finding “the one” is no easy task. Even if you took an online soulmate test and signed up for every dating app, it’s highly likely that you still end your day wondering when the universe is finally going to gift your lifelong partner. If you’re searching for a little bit of scientific insight, you might want to check out a recent survey conducted by Match.com’s UK branch that reveals when most daters meet their match. In a comprehensive new study that dives into all the major dating milestones, the dating website has revealed that people in Britain tend to meet “the one” at age 27.
Match.com surveyed over 2,000 men and women to map out the average dating journey, from first meeting to getting hitched to having kids. They’ve also gone ahead and illustrated that info in this well-designed infographic – which kind of looks eerily like a real life version of the board game Life, right?!
Contrary to what we learned in grade school, it looks as though daters are more willing to kiss than to hold hands. The study revealed that the first kiss might happen immediately but folks will wait one to two weeks to begin holding hands. When the skipping starts, we’re not totally sure.
Match.com also mentions that those big three words (we’re talking about “I love you”) are spoken on average after five months of dating (144 days). British daters also see that milestone as the time to update their social media relationship status. A quick trip or major vacation is likely to happen after the first year (between 204-298 days) and you can expect that major “where do you see this going” chat to go down shortly after that.
Now, back to that magical age when you might meet the one. According to Match.com’s findings, women are more likely to meet that special someone earlier in life at age 25, whereas men meet their match closer to 28. However, 50% of the folks the website surveyed all meet their partner at some point during their 20s.
How does your relationship compare to Match.com’s flow chart? Share with us on Twitter @britandco.
(Photos via Match.com and Getty)
Cortney Clift
Cortney is the senior writer and special projects editor at Brit + Co. She typically covers topics related to women's issues, politics, and lifestyle. When she's not buried behind her computer you'll find her exploring New York City or planning her next big adventure.
FAQs
People Often Meet 'The One' in Their Late Twenties
What age do people usually meet their soulmate? ›
They argue that the age at which one meets their soulmate is largely influenced by personal growth and life experiences. According to this viewpoint, individuals may be more likely to encounter their soulmate in their late twenties to early thirties, a period characterized by self-discovery and maturity.
At what age do most people meet their spouse? ›
And, according to the findings, the average age you'll find your partner varies from gender to gender. That's right - the research found that the average woman finds their life partner at the age of 25, while for men, they're more likely to find their soulmate at 28.
How do most people meet their soulmates? ›
You might also be surprised to learn that of those who have already met their soulmate, 63% say they met them organically, in person. Sometimes the best things in life happen when you least expect them, so if striking out on dating apps has you feeling discouraged, don't be too quick to dismiss the power of destiny.
Is it true that you meet your soulmate before 16? ›
It was like meeting him for the first time on our first date. No, it's not true. At 16, you are just in the throes of puberty and only beginning to learn how to be an adult and even if you do bond with someone so strongly, both of you have to find a way to grow together because you will change as you get older.
What age are you most likely to meet the love of your life? ›
We maximize our chances of finding the perfect partner after age 27. Math tells us that the chances of finding true love with the people we know during the first 37% of your romantic life are very low.
What is the average age for a first boyfriend? ›
Teenage dating can be confusing for parents. Your child might not even wait for the teenage years before they ask you if they can “go out” with someone. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, kids start dating at an average age of 12 and a half for girls and 13 and a half for boys.
What age do guys want a serious relationship? ›
The age varies from man to man, but there are patterns that are easily identified: Most men who graduate from high school start thinking of marriage as a real possibility when they are 23 or 24. Most men who graduate from college don't start considering marriage as a real possibility until age 26.
At what age do most marry? ›
What is the most common age to get married in the US? The US Census Bureau found that the median age for marriage in 2022 was 28.6 years old for women and 30.5 years old for men.
What age do men settle down? ›
The median age for men to first marry is 27.
This is where the numbers get tough. Given half a billion potential soul mates, your chance of finding your true love is one in 10,000. Monroe speculates on the consequences of such a world where a vast majority will remain alone.
Do soulmates recognize each other? ›
A strong feeling of recognition or familiarity is one of the soulmate connection signs. An intense and immediate connection that feels deeper than physical attraction. A sense of comfort and ease in each other's presence, even when discussing difficult or personal topics.
Where do people find soulmates? ›
Dating apps and social media platforms offer a digital landscape where soulmates can be discovered with a simple swipe or click. For digital natives, the algorithmic allure of these platforms presents a modern approach to matchmaking, where compatibility is determined by algorithms rather than fate.
What age do men find their wife? ›
Males however prefer to marry when they are 27.5 years old, and a female to be 2.7 years younger than themselves, yielding their preferred mate to be 24.8 years old.
At what age will I find my soulmate? ›
Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces might meet their soulmates in their late teens. Aries, Libra, and Aqua may connect with them in their early 20s. Leo, Sag, and Cap might meet their soulmate in their late 20s or early 30s, while Virgo may meet them when they least expect to.
How long do most relationships last? ›
New research shows that relationships are actually more vulnerable to demise far sooner than the dreaded seven year itch. The most common time for a couple to split is right around the two year mark. By then, you've most likely seen everything about your partner—their best and their worst physically and emotionally.
What are the odds of meeting your soulmate? ›
This is where the numbers get tough. Given half a billion potential soul mates, your chance of finding your true love is one in 10,000. Monroe speculates on the consequences of such a world where a vast majority will remain alone.
At what age do you meet your best friend? ›
According to “The Friendship Report,” a global study commissioned by Snapchat in 2019, the average age at which we meet our best friends is 21—a stage when we're not only bonding over formative new experiences such as first love and first heartbreak, but also growing more discerning about whom we befriend.
Can you find your soulmate after 30? ›
There are many people who have met their other half after the age of 30. I even know people who met their partner after the age of 40! I think there are even benefits of meeting your love after 30.
