The 2025 Relationship Trends Wrapped

2025 has been a year of much chaos: a political storm under the Trump administration, major economic and geopolitical instability, and the introduction of artificial intelligence into all aspects of our lives—including our most private and sacred space: our bedrooms.

The world of sex and relationships has also shifted dramatically—not only because of the aforementioned sociopolitical and technological forces, but in ways that are also independent of them. Some of these dynamics have been decades in the making, such as the preference for women to delay marriage and choose to be child-free, as well as what we’re calling “the loneliness epidemic” in men. Other phenomena are more recent—such as the “sex recession,” indicating that people are having fewer partners and less sex overall—are causing much confusion and consternation.

Before we pontificate on what the new year is going to bring us (and how many more of our problems AI is going to solve), it’s important that we take stock of where we are as societies, as communities, and as individuals. To that end, here are the top five relationship trends of 2025:

1. Human to human sexual interactions are down: It's true—Gen Z is having less sex than Millennials, and Millennials are having less sex than Boomers did at that age. Young people are “opting out of the dating pool” for economic reasons and for mental well-being, choosing to be celibate for periods of time and shunning hookup culture that can be demoralizing and unfulfilling.
2. AI relationships are up: The rise of AI companions was one of the biggest conversations in 2025, and for good reason. AI companion apps across the Apple App Store and Google Play have been downloaded 220 million times globally— 66 million of which happened in 2025. People have reported forming deep and intimate bonds with AI entities across roles such as friend, lover, mentor, and therapist. AI Jesus also became a thing.
3. Big Tech is doubling down on intimacy: Techcrunch estimates that the market value of AI companions is well over 100 million at the end of 2025. OpenAI, Grok, and Meta are among the biggest players encouraging sexual and romantic engagement with AI tools. Sex may sell, but intimacy drives retention. Mental health professionals and ethical AI advocates are sounding the alarm bells of unregulated AI companions being responsible for social problems such as increased tech addiction, social isolation, misogyny, and Image Based Sexual Abuse (IBSA), which is directed mostly towards women.
4. Marriage is desired, but babies are optional: Contrary to popular belief, marriage is not completely on the way out. According to the Singles in America study conducted by Match.com and the Kinsey Institute, 68% of Gen Z and 62% of Millennials are interested in marriage, but only 49% of Gen Z say they want children in the future, which is lower than past generations at the same age​.
5. Lavender marriages are rising in appeal: Economic reasons, dating fatigue and a desire for reliable long-term companionship are some of the reasons mixed-orientation couples are choosing this nontraditional relationship structure. Some argue that humanoid robots will fulfill the sexual needs of each partner in such an arrangement, making it likely that we will see more of such partnerships in the future.

Where do we go from here?

As a social scientist specializing in the impact of technology on human relationships, I believe that solving complex problems such as loneliness and intimacy deficits requires an interdisciplinary approach—one that also examines the historical forces that shaped these phenomena. And whether or not we will be able to harness the tremendous power of this technological revolution for the betterment of humanity will depend largely on our capacity and appetite for critical self-examination.

For instance:

• Younger generations are self-regulating around technology, implementing digital detoxes and opting for landlines. What services, processes, and templates are on offer to show them what living in true community looks like?
• Social media bans are an incomplete solution to adolescent tech addiction and mental health issues. When teenagers look up from their phones, do they see adults that are engaged and authentic and present?
• We talk at length about the male loneliness epidemic but not about the patriarchal systems responsible for the deep generational trauma that men experience. Are we willing to accept and change these institutions and mindsets or continue to opt for bandaid interventions?
• It is undeniable that the restriction of women’s rights across the world as well as the colossal increase in sexual abuse and harassment online are driving women away from men in society and into protected communities with one another. If we’re worried about declining birth rates and aging populations, we have to present a world in which women feel safe and supported to create life. For now, they’re the ones who can.

2025 has exposed some of our deepest rifts but has also given us the greatest tools for connection and reflection of our time. Whether we embrace these opportunities is to be seen.