What is international dating like?
- Half of the US population is single, and the rise of the single trend is observed globally, from China to Latin America.
- While the marriage age rises, so does the duration of an average marriage, while the number of divorces is slowly decreasing globally.
- Out of 2.5 billion English speakers in the world, it’s a native language for 400 million. English proficiency is steadily growing, though men embrace the language faster than women.
International dating is a global trend
One in five American married-couple households includes a non-US-born spouse, and the number of K-1 visas issued has tripled in the last thirty years. Around 60% of K-1 visa applicants meet with their American fiancés online, while the rest meet in person.
Online dating apps and sites are the most common source of international romance, with 14% of couples eventually tying the knot after meeting online. Facebook is a close second, making for every fifth international marriage in the US in recent years. Over 80% of all social media acquaintances that lead to marriage go through Facebook. Surprisingly, a growing number of couples meet through online gaming.
Out of those who meet their future foreign spouses in person, most meet either through common acquaintances, unexpected moments, or business. In-person meetings are ubiquitous among nearby countries, including Cuba and Mexico, as well as Ecuador, South Africa, and Costa Rica.