What happened to relationships in 2023: 7 conclusions

1. Tinder left Russia (but it doesn’t matter)

In May 2023, Tinder, one of the most popular dating services, stated about the suspension of work in Russia. His departure was not sudden. Previously, other industry giants - Badoo, Bumble and Fruitz - also removed applications from the Russian AppStore and Google Play.

And although regulars of services wrotethat they will be missed; online dating has not disappeared from Russia. Many users transfer their profiles to other sites. So, in the top 10 services in July hit Love and “Mint”, and the increase in registrations on “Mamba” and Teamo was 25–30%.

Experts have noticed another trend: dating goals in apps have changed. The number of men looking for relationships and marriage increased by 17%, and people looking for travel partners increased by 25%. Teamo analysts attribute this, among other things, to the ongoing relocation process.

However, some ex-Tinder users decided to radically change their approach to dating. In St. Petersburg, for example, it is

spurred development of a project based on the “Japanese dating” system. On it, the organizers form groups based on interests, based on the participants’ profiles, and arrange a face-to-face meeting for them, where people can meet a suitable person in person.

Not everyone is probably ready for offline dating, but if anything, we have written for the bravest guide about this theme.

2. The “overnight divorce” trend has gone viral

In 2023, there was talk on social media of “bedtime divorce”—the idea of ​​sleeping separately from your partner in order to get a better rest at night. On TikTok, the hashtag #sleepdivorce has received more than 355 thousand views, and a survey by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine showedthat more than a third of Americans at least sometimes practice separate sleep.

In Russia, unfortunately, there are no statistics on this topic, but comments from readers under our article about “overnight divorce” they say that this approach is relevant for them.

The benefits of sleeping separately are also emphasized by some experts.

Well, we believe that there is no dispute about tastes. If a couple is comfortable sleeping separately, why not?

3. People began to practice “open casting” more often

Having learned that Taylor Swift began dating football player Travis Kelsey, her fans were surprised: the pop star’s previous partners were musicians and actors. So was born the assumption that what happened was the result of an “open casting”, as a result of which Swift changed her usual type.

«Open casting" is a term that comes from the film industry, denoting a situation where people of different types are invited to audition for films. In the context of relationships, it means that a person is ready to take a closer look at a potential partner, even if he seems to be “not his type.”

At the end of last year, the dating service Bumble announced that “open casting” would become one of the main trends of 2023. Every third (38%) person, according to service statistics, has become open to going on a date with someone not their type.

Psychologists say that this approach has a positive effect on family building. So, study 2016 showed: being in a relationship with an “ideal partner” does not always mean feeling satisfied in it.

We believe that being open to new things is important!

4. And save on dates

A year ago dating app Plenty of Fish introduced The term infla-dating is “a date during inflation.” Analysts have identified this phenomenon as one of the biggest relationship trends in 2023. Due to the economic climate and rising prices, nearly half (48%) of single millennials and Gen Zers chose less expensive dates over a luxurious dinner at a restaurant.

Many people also liked this trend because it encouraged creativity: instead of sitting at a table with food, you can go to a joint master class, walk in the park with the dogs, watch the sunset while sitting pond. There are many options - we have already shared budget ideas.

In addition, an invitation to an economical date gives a reason to discuss with a potential partner his financial situation and relationship with money.

And some married couples began to practice “cheap dates” as a test of their relationship. “If you can no longer enjoy your time together without blowing your budget, it may be time to rethink the potential of your relationship.” wrote journalist Christiana Cioffi.

5. Non-monogamy is now more tolerated

Non-monogamy is a relationship in which consenting partners allow each other to have sexual, romantic, or emotional relationships with other people.

Over the past year, interest in this type of relationship has increased - as evidenced by Internet search statistics: by December 2023, the number of queries with the words “ethical non-monogamy” increased almost doubled compared to the beginning of the year. And according to data dating service Hinge, 15% of zoomer users have become open to non-monogamy.

And although some believe that the choice of such relationships is motivated by the opportunity to engage in sexual relations with different people, the leading advantage is not this, but the ability to create a larger social network around oneself (so answered 61% of respondents) and to be more honest with a partner (56% say).

In Russia they are still wary of this trend, but The Blueprint notesthat such a format can arise, for example, between partners, one of whom remained in his homeland, and the other emigrated. In the article, one of the interviewees commented on the opening of a relationship as follows: “I proposed to my girlfriend, with whom we were together for 2.5 years and ended up in different countries, start an open relationship and date by someone else. Not for the sake of the possibility of legitimate treason, but in order to feel at least some kind of support in a foreign country. For me, an open relationship was, perhaps, imaginary, but still a bridge to peace.”

6. Long distance relationships are becoming more popular

The trend for relocation from Russia was accompanied by another: couples began to practice long-distance relationships more often. On the dating app Bumble emphasized, that on a global scale, COVID has spurred this trend.

First, the Zoom era has taught people how to start and maintain relationships online. Secondly, after quarantine, many began to prefer traveling and exploring the world. This has become easier because many companies have allowed employees to work remotely.

A third (33%) of Bumble users said they were more open to relationships with people who are in another city. Moreover, many people now prefer to start dating online and deliberately not meet in person for some time. They claim that this helps them get to know each other better and understand whether they want to let this person into their lives.

7. Couples began to enter into prenuptial agreements more often

Research show, that the main reason couples enter into a prenuptial agreement is because they see it as a means of protection. This document can describe the adverse financial consequences that will occur in case of failure to fulfill obligations - for example, if one of the spouses does not want to give up part of the property or leave the second’s personal apartment during a divorce.

Interest in prenuptial agreements in Russia is growing from year to year. In the first six months, couples entered into 7.4% more contracts than in the same period in 2022. told at the Federal Notary Chamber. Since 2018, this figure has increased by almost 12.5%.

In Europe and the United States, where this practice is more widespread: almost every fifth couple married since 2000 enters into a prenuptial agreement. Moreover, if in Russia it is possible to include in the contract only clauses relating to the property relations of the spouses, then in the USA the bride and groom are not limited in their imagination. For example, in the marriage contract of Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan there is a clause that the spouses are obliged to go on dates with each other at least once a week and for at least 100 minutes. In case of failure to fulfill the obligation, a fine is provided.

How do you think romantic relationships have changed this year?