Shared Priorities, Engaging in Key Issues to Top 2024 Dating Trends: Study

HYDERABAD: Popular women-first dating app Bumble, in its dating trends prediction for 2024, said it’s going to be the year of the self — ‘Me, Myself and Mine’ — for women in Hyderabad. Much like the dating app, where women make the first move, the year 2024 will also see women taking charge of their lives, it said.

Bumble research suggests that in 2024, 59 per cent of Indian women surveyed are going into the new year with a clear view of what they want from their romantic lives. The findings suggest that personal prioritisation is the focus for people in Hyderabad.

Val-Core Dating

The most interesting takeaways relate to alignment in politics and interest in sports. In what is being termed ‘Val-Core Dating’, there is a rise of people valuing engagement on issues that matter to them. This is the emerging trend, flipping previous patterns completely. With singles prioritising what they value and what they will not stand for, or oppose, they are clearer than ever about what they want in their romantic lives. The net takeaway is that there are no misty-eyed, mushy expectations on the romantic front.

Samarpita Samaddar, India Communications Director, Bumble, said, “It’s encouraging to see daters in Hyderabad taking charge of their dating journeys. We know that cultural conversations around misogyny, women’s rights, and social issues, that are intertwined with our dating lives, left many exhausted this year. This has impacted the way people want to date; people are feeling more empowered in their sense of self and seeking out people who value what’s important to them, whether it’s social causes, lifestyle choices or even their favourite sports. It’s exciting to see people are now increasingly looking inward, and want to show up as authentic versions of themselves.”

Timeline decline

Couples are taking it slow and easy in general. They are not rushing into taking their relationship to the next level by taking the plunge. The year saw women breaking away from traditional dating norms while challenging outdated relationship timelines and relationship expectations. Couples these days do not think twice before opting out of a relationship if their interests don’t match. There’s no weary plodding, looking at the distant horizon.

Bumble survey reveals that for 68 per cent of Hyderabadis, it is important that their potential partner is aware of current politics and votes. This is a curve ball of sorts. Further, women are less open to someone with differing political views. In fact, 58 per cent of women surveyed in Hyderabad indicated that it was a turn-off if someone they were dating was unaware of current societal issues. For 64 per cent of Hyderabadis, not caring about social issues or social causes (justice, freedom, equality, etc.) is a deal-breaker in a potential partner.

Betterment Burnout

Bumble’s dating trend also reveals that people are rebelling against the constant pressure of self-improvement with 83 per cent of singles in Hyderabad (and 80 per cent of LGBTQ+ daters) surveyed saying they are taking active steps to be happier with who they are here and now. In fact, 76 per cent of people surveyed (and 75 per cent of LGBTQ+ daters) have prioritised self-needs. This is also true in the case of Millennials (75 per cent) and GenZ (77 per cent). Interestingly, 61 per cent of Hyderabadis surveyed clearly expressed their desire to only date people who won’t attempt to change them.

Slow life over hustle culture

Fifty-three per cent of people surveyed in Hyderabad preferred 'slow life' over hustle culture, while 47 per cent valued inner fulfilment over external validation and 43 per cent chose authenticity over perfection.

It is apparent that singles are putting emphasis on their mental health, emotional vulnerability, self-acceptance, and shared priorities. The study reveals that GenZ is more vocal about values than ever and is willing to wait for romance where interests align.

Watch the full interview here.