Deciding to get back into the dating business can be nerve-wracking, regardless of age. But if you’re in your 40s (or older), it might seem like the stakes are a little higher.
You can assume that people in your age group are either not interested in dating or have already entered into a long-term relationship. However, according to a recent Pew Research Center analysis of Census Bureau data, nearly 25 percent of 40-year-olds in the U.S. have never been married in 2021. Additionally, only 22 percent of unmarried adults ages 40 to 44 were cohabiting couples. Although not all Being single means that the majority of singles in this age group are actually alone.
So have people in their 40s given up on finding love? Not at all. But unlike people in their 20s and 30s, they know what they want and aren’t afraid to wait a little longer to find the right person. In fact, according to the analysis, about one in four 40-year-olds who were not married in 2001 had tied the knot by age 60. So if this trend continues, there is still hope of finding a long-term partner. even if you start later in life.
How to Start Dating Again at 40
Now, after this speech and the many statistics, you’re probably wondering what our big plan is to get you back on your feet and on the dance floor. The answer? Online dating. Before you scoff, hear us out.
Online dating is a great way to meet new people in a low-pressure environment. It offers you a quick and easy way to connect with potential partners, filter profiles and find matches who share your interests and values. Imagine being able to do this when scanning the room at a bar or attending social events – it would save you a lot of time and effort.
But before you start swiping left and right, double-check that this is the case. Be honest about what you want in a partner and what you bring to the table, including any emotional baggage you may be carrying (which we all have to some degree).
Once you’ve sorted out your feelings, you should do the same with your dating profile. Are you interested in a serious relationship, a casual encounter or a friendship that could develop into something more? Whatever it is, be open. You don’t want to fall in love with someone only to find that they aren’t looking for the same thing.
What are the best dating apps for over 40 singles?
The preferably Dating app depends on what you are looking for. But because we’re data nerds, we did a little research (and hands-on testing) to give you some options.
Match and eharmony have a large user base of over 40, as well as comprehensive profiles and algorithms that match you with compatible partners based on your preferences and personality traits. Additionally, Elite Singles is a popular dating website for mature professionals looking for a serious relationship.
Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble are more popular among younger users, but it’s not impossible to find success on these apps if you’re over 40. OkCupid has a slightly higher number of older singles than Bumble and Hinge and is aimed at the liberal and LGBTQ+ communities, providing a space to be your most authentic self without judgment.
Read on for a deeper look into each of these dating apps and what they offer for dating over 40. We considered affordability, accessibility (including user-friendly interfaces and availability on Google Play and the App Store), and overall success rate in helping users find meaningful connections.
Pro Tip: Based on our detailed reviews, we recommend singles over 40 stay away from Zoosk and Our Time. (For full details of our testing methodology, see the How We Tested section.)