The pandemic has resulted in fewer dates and weddings attended but those in existing relationships are more likely to say their relationship has improved than declined since the onset of COVID-19.

February 10, 2022

The pandemic has changed so much of our lives and livelihoods, creating a “new normal” for many Canadians. With Valentine’s day just around the corner, we wanted to understand how the pandemic may have shaped all aspects of Canadians’ romantic relationships – from dating to relationships to weddings. Six in ten mention currently being in a relationship (58%), followed by one-third who are not actively dating (32%). Those who are actively dating make up only 5 percent of the population. Among those actively dating, one-half mention having been on fewer dates since the pandemic started (50%), compared to one-quarter each that mention having either been on more dates (27%) or been on the same number of dates as before (24%). Needless to say, the mandatory quarantines and COVID-19 restrictions took a toll on Canadians’ dating lives as there has been a net decline in dates.

By contrast, the pandemic has had a net positive impact on existing relationships, with six in ten believe their relationship remained unchanged (62%) throughout the pandemic, and one quarter perceiving their relationship to have improved (26%). Only one in ten felt their relationship has worsened since the pandemic (11%). Interestingly, homeowners and boomers are more likely to experience no impact on their relationships (67% of homeowners compared to 47% of renters; 72% of boomers compared to 45% of millennials).

Improved relationships are more common among those renting and millennials, though these two groups are also more likely to have experienced worsening relationships, signaling that younger residents and those without homeownerships are more susceptible to the pandemic’s impact on relationships, whether it is a positive or negative impact.

Unfortunately, the effects of the pandemic on dating seem to be similarly affecting wedding attendance. Six in ten have attended fewer weddings since the two years prior to the pandemic (61%), with one-half attending a lot fewer weddings (50%). Meanwhile, one-third mention that the number of weddings they’ve attended remain unchanged (35%), whereas five percent claim to have attended more weddings than in the two years prior to the pandemic. Younger residents and those with lower incomes are more likely to have attended more weddings.

Results shown are from a survey conducted online January 17-19, 2022, with 1,231 Canadians 18 years of age or older from the Logit Group’s Canadian Omnibus. Fielding every month, the Logit Group’s COVID-19 Omnibus surveys Canadians to ask their opinions and behaviours related to topical issues. Results were analyzed by Narrative Research. Data was weighted based on the 2016 Census, by gender, age, and region to reflect these population characteristics in each province. As a non-probability sample (i.e., a panel sample where residents have joined a panel to share their opinions), and in accordance with CRIC Public Opinion Research Standards, a margin of error is not applied.

The questions included in this press release were the following:

What is your current dating status?
How has the pandemic shaped your dating life?
How has the pandemic shaped your relationship?
And now thinking of weddings, since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, have you attended…?

For more information, contact:

Margaret Chapman, COO, Narrative Research – 902.222.4048, mchapman@narrativeresearch.ca

Margaret Brigley, CEO, Narrative Research – 902.222.7066, mbrigley@narrativeresearch.ca

Sam Pisani, Managing Partner, Logit Group – 416.629.4116, sam.pisani@logitgroup.com

Narrative Research (www.narrativeresearch.ca), is a leading public opinion and market research company headquartered in Canada. The company was recently certified as a WBE (Women Business Enterprise). As a non-partisan, 100% Canadian-owned research company, Narrative Research is dedicated to providing clients with state-of-the-art research and strategic consulting services.

The Logit Group (https://logitgroup.com/) is a leading North American data collection and market research execution company headquartered in Toronto, conducting large-scale projects for a variety of well-known research agencies and brands. Logit employs industry-best technologies across an array of methodologies, and is independent, experienced and quality-oriented.

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