If you’ve spent any time on TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen the "boy sober" or "decentering men" trends. It’s not just an algorithm glitch. We’re actually living through a massive shift in how women navigate their lives, careers, and beds. Honestly, the data is starting to look pretty wild.
What percentage of women are single right now?
According to the latest Pew Research Center analysis of Census Bureau data, about 44% of U.S. women are currently unpartnered. This includes women who have never been married, those who are divorced, and those who are widowed.
But "single" is a tricky word. It doesn’t just mean "not married." In the eyes of researchers, it often means anyone not living with a romantic partner. When you look at the raw numbers, the gender gap is fascinating. Nationally, women are actually more likely than men to be unpartnered (44% vs. 40%).
Why? Because age changes everything.
Younger men are way more likely to be single than younger women. Under age 40, men are the ones struggling to find partners. But once we cross that 40-year-old threshold, the script flips entirely. Among adults 65 and older, 51% of women are unpartnered, compared to just 29% of men. Basically, women are outliving their husbands or simply deciding they don’t want to jump back into the dating pool after a divorce.
The 2030 projection everyone is talking about
You might have heard the viral "Morgan Stanley" statistic. A few years ago, their "Rise of the SHEconomy" report made a bold prediction: by 2030, 45% of women in their prime working years (ages 25-44) will be single and childless.
👉 See also: Draft House Las Vegas: Why Locals Still Flock to This Old School Sports Bar
That is a huge jump from the 41% we saw in 2018.
Morgan Stanley isn’t just guessing. They’re looking at birth rates—which are at historic lows—and the fact that women are increasingly the primary breadwinners. In 2026, we’re seeing this play out in real-time. Women are staying in school longer and prioritizing their own financial security over a "traditional" domestic life that, frankly, hasn't always been a great deal for them.
Why are more women choosing to stay single?
It’s not just that there’s "no one good out there," though you’ll hear that plenty at brunch. The reality is more structural.
Experts like Lisa Wade, a sociology professor at Tulane University, point out that traditional marriage has often been a "bad deal" for women. Even when both partners work full-time, women still do the lion’s share of:
- Household chores
- Routine childcare
- Emotional labor (remembering birthdays, managing social calendars, checking in on the in-laws)
Data from the Gender Equity Policy Institute shows that women generally have 13% less free time than men. For a lot of women, staying single isn't a "failure" to find a husband—it's a choice to reclaim those hours.
✨ Don't miss: Dr Dennis Gross C+ Collagen Brighten Firm Vitamin C Serum Explained (Simply)
The happiness gap
Here’s a stat that usually ruffles some feathers: according to the 2025 Women's Well-Being Survey, about 55% of single women believe they are generally happier than married women.
Now, there’s a nuance here. Groups like the Institute for Family Studies often point out that married mothers often report high levels of "meaning" and "life satisfaction." But single women score incredibly high on "freedom" and "social connection."
Single women aren't usually isolated; they just have different networks. They’re more likely than men to reach out to friends (54% vs. 38%) or their mothers for emotional support. They’re building a life that doesn't rely on a single point of failure—a spouse—for their entire emotional well-being.
The geography of being single
Where you live matters a lot. If you’re a single woman in Boston or Washington, D.C., you’re in the majority. In D.C., for instance, over 54% of the population has never been married.
But if you move to Plano, Texas, or Irvine, California, the vibe shifts toward "family-centric" very quickly. In Plano, nearly 56% of the population is married.
🔗 Read more: Double Sided Ribbon Satin: Why the Pro Crafters Always Reach for the Good Stuff
It creates a "sorting" effect. Single women move to cities for career opportunities and community, which further increases the percentage of single women in urban hubs.
What this means for your future
If you’re currently single, you’re part of a growing majority that is reshaping the economy. We’re seeing more "solo-centric" housing, travel packages, and financial products. Being single is no longer a "waiting room" for marriage; it’s a valid, long-term lifestyle.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Audit your "Free Time": If you're single, recognize the value of your autonomy. If you're looking for a partner, look for "equitable" traits early on to avoid the "second shift" of housework later.
- Diversify your "Emotional Portfolio": Since single women thrive on social connections, prioritize "non-romantic" intimacy—deep friendships, siblings, or community groups.
- Financial Independence: With 45% of women projected to be single by 2030, managing your own retirement and investment accounts isn't just "good advice"—it’s a survival necessity. Use tools like high-yield savings accounts or low-cost index funds to build a "single-person" safety net.
- Check the "Gender Ratio" of your city: If you do want to find a partner, look at the unmarried men-to-women ratios in your area. Cities like Austin or Anchorage actually have significantly more single men than women.
The world is changing. Whether you’re single by choice or by circumstance, the numbers show you’re in very good company.