Dating Deferral: Why Singaporeans Are Putting Love on Hold “In This Economy”

Matchmakers at GaiGai say financial anxiety is reshaping how singles date, and that pressing pause may be the costliest mistake of all.

“The economy has totally changed dating preferences across generations,” says Alex Tam, Group CEO of Paktor and GaiGai. “Singles know the reality of the financial state and are treating love as something they can easily deprioritise or live without.”

That shift has a name at GaiGai, one of Singapore’s major matchmaking services: Dating Deferral. Singles haven’t given up on love, the agency’s matchmakers say. They’re treating a serious relationship like a big-ticket purchase and holding off until conditions improve. The salary bump, the promotion, the BTO flat and the savings buffer come first. Love goes to the back of the queue.

It’s a long way from the days when “in this economy?” was just a joke posted under an eye-watering restaurant bill.

What matchmakers are seeing

Based on its local client data, GaiGai points to two trends. First, singles, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, are prioritising savings over splurges, feeling that expensive traditional dates clash with goals like buying a home. Second, most of the agency’s local daters now factor a potential partner’s budget into their expectations, looking for practical, sustainable ways to connect.

Three tips for dating without breaking the bank

GaiGai’s matchmakers say the biggest mistake singles make right now is pausing their love life altogether. As they put it, there’s no future where the economy turns stress-free while you stay the same age. Their advice: Ditch the fancy dinner. Pricey restaurants may look good on Instagram, but they rarely help two people get to know each other. Daytime dates such as a casual lunch, a walk in the park or a museum visit are cheaper, lower-pressure and naturally structured. GaiGai cites a figure that 42 per cent of Singaporeans already prefer coffee or lunch over dinner for a first date.

Be upfront about your budget. Something as simple as “I’m keeping things simple this month, would a coffee work?” removes the guesswork. The matchmakers say it signals confidence rather than struggle, and with most singles already weighing a date’s budget, your match is likely to be relieved.

Match financial habits, not just salares. How someone manages money matters more than how much they earn, the matchmakers argue. Two high earners with clashing styles will butt heads, while two average earners with shared goals can thrive. Early on, try asking what they’re saving for, or how they’d spend a surprise bonus.