Online dating boosts wealth gaps, researchers find

Recent research conducted by the Federal Reserve Banks of Dallas and St. Louis, along with Haverford College, has revealed a significant link between online dating and rising income inequality in the U.S. over the past few decades. The study analyzed data from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, focusing on partner selection trends from 2008 to 2021. It highlighted a shift in preferences, with individuals increasingly choosing partners who share similar educational and income backgrounds. The findings indicate that women have become more selective regarding age, while men have focused more on education when choosing partners. This selectivity has led to a trend where couples are more likely to have comparable wages and educational attainment, contrasting with earlier decades when there was more diversity in income levels among couples. The researchers noted that this phenomenon has contributed to a three percentage point increase in the Gini Coefficient, a measure of income inequality. They found that the changes in mate preferences and the growing tendency to marry within similar income brackets account for approximately half of the increase in income inequality observed between 1980 and 2020. In conclusion, the study emphasizes that the rise in income inequality is largely driven by the sorting of individuals based on income, skill, and education. This trend reflects broader societal changes in how people approach relationships and underscores the economic implications of online dating practices.