Couple, single, one-night stand, crush… What are the emotional habits of people under 30?

The study by the National Institute of Demographic Studies, published on Wednesday, shows that we are, in reality, far from the talk about the so-called “end of the couple” among those under 30.

This is a unique sociological investigation. INED, the National Institute of Demographic Studies, published a study on the emotional life of those under 30 on Wednesday June 19. It concerns a representative sample of 10,000 people aged 18 to 30, who live in France, and it indicates that in 2023, four out of five young adults have experienced a sexual or romantic relationship. Two thirds of those under 30 say they have been in a relationship, a romantic couple in 94% of cases. They were roommates in only a third of the cases.

Cohabitation remains a desirable horizon for 75% of them, but due to the lengthening of studies, and the decline in the age of first stable employment, write the authors, the twenties have become a period of relational experimentation during which young people do not necessarily think about settling down.

Between the couple and the single person, this study also shows that before the age of 30, intimate relationships are very diverse. Some 21% of those under 30 say they have had one or more one-night stands, especially after a separation. These are ephemeral stories detached from any romantic feeling in two thirds of cases. Then, 15% of young adults have had experiences that sociologists call “continued relationships”, and that those interested call sex friends, “friendships with an added bonus”, flirtations or adventures. These relationships do not fall into the couple category, but generate romantic feelings in half of the cases. Finally, “the crush”, a relationship considered but which leads to nothing represents another emotional experience measured in this survey. A third of those surveyed say they have fallen in love with someone with whom nothing happened.

Contrary to what one might imagine, in the digital age, dating applications are not the preferred way to find a partner. They only connected 11% of couples. Far behind the place of study or the workplace, which remain the most frequent meeting environment. One in three couples form in this context among those under 30, right in front of bars, concerts, festivals, the street or shops, the meeting place for one in four couples.