Half of Single Canadians Find Dating Financially Unrewarding: BMO Survey

A recent survey conducted by BMO has uncovered significant financial concerns among single Canadians regarding the dating scene. According to the findings, nearly half (49%) of single individuals do not believe that dating is financially worth the investment, highlighting a growing trend of economic caution in personal relationships.

Financial Pressures Impact Dating Habits

The study, which polled 2,503 adults aged 18 and older from December 29, 2025, to January 27, 2026, indicates that 50% of singles have reduced the frequency or expense of their dates due to worries about inflation and the rising cost of living. On average, Canadians spend $174 per date, covering costs such as transportation, grooming, attire, food, beverages, and tickets.

Key statistics from the survey include:

29% of singles feel pressured to plan expensive dates.
35% report that dating costs are hindering their ability to achieve financial goals.
Men are 16% more likely than women to feel this pressure and 7% more likely to say dating affects their financial progress.

Changing Behaviors and Expectations

The poll reveals that while singles have gone on an average of four dates in the past year, over half (55%) have not been on any dates during that period. Financial considerations are driving changes in behavior, with one-third (33%) adjusting date plans for monetary reasons and one-quarter (24%) cancelling dates to save money.

When it comes to paying for dates, expectations vary by gender:

58% of men expect to cover all costs, including dinner, drinks, and tickets.
72% of women anticipate splitting expenses evenly.
Fewer than a quarter (23%) expect their date to pay entirely.

Economic Context and Youth Challenges

Sal Guatieri, Senior Economist at BMO, commented on the broader economic factors influencing these trends. "There's no mystery as to why young people, in particular, remain cautious about making discretionary purchases," he stated. "The cost of living, as measured by the CPI, has increased 20% over the past five years; the youth (age 15-24 years) unemployment rate has risen nearly two percentage points in the past two years to almost 13%; and there has been almost no job growth for this age cohort in the past year."

Financial Dealbreakers and Partner Priorities

The survey also explored what singles value in potential partners, with financial responsibility emerging as a critical factor. Key attributes include:

Financial responsibility (95%)
Ability to discuss money openly (92%)
Having a good financial plan (85%)
Successful career trajectory (82%)
High credit score (76%)
High-earning job (68%)

Additionally, two in five single Canadians believe that net worth influences their dating prospects (41%) and how they evaluate partners (39%), with men 8% more likely to cite this effect.

Top Financial Dealbreakers

Singles identified several financial dealbreakers in relationships:

Not being truthful about money (54%)
Refusing to discuss finances (41%)
Unwillingness to spend on important items (23%)
Low credit score (21%)
Minimal retirement savings (15%)
Earning significantly less (14%)

Growing Economic Concerns

According to the BMO Real Financial Progress Index, Canadians' anxieties about economic issues have intensified in recent months. Concerns include the cost of living (57%), inflation (53%), the prospect of a recession (46%), the effects of tariffs (46%), and overall financial situations (36%).

This research, conducted by Ipsos with a credibility interval of +/- 2.4% 19 times out of 20, underscores the profound impact of economic pressures on the dating lives of single Canadians, prompting a reevaluation of financial priorities in romantic pursuits.