News · eGov
A YouGov survey of 1,112 Singaporean adults finds roughly one in three singles would likely use FirstDate, GovTech's government-backed dating platform, if they were eligible to do so.
✦ AI SUMMARY 30-second read
- 31 per cent of all single respondents said they would likely use FirstDate if eligible; 49 per cent of single Gen Z respondents said the same.
- 44 per cent of Singaporeans overall supported government-backed matchmaking services, rising to 56 per cent among Gen Z.
- 42 per cent of respondents said verified identities to reduce fake profiles would most encourage them to use such a service.
Why it matters: The findings illuminate Singaporean attitudes toward government-assisted matchmaking as changing marriage patterns show more residents in their 20s and 30s remaining unmarried.
This summary was generated by AI. Editors may review and update it.
A survey by YouGov Singapore found that about one in three Singaporean singles would be likely to use FirstDate, a government-backed dating platform created by the Government Technology Agency of Singapore, if they were eligible. The Consumer Sentiment Tracker data was released on 3 November 2026 and drew on responses from 1,112 Singaporean adults aged 18 and above collected in October 2026.
Across all single respondents, 31 per cent said they would likely use the platform, while 39 per cent said they would be unlikely to do so. Support was markedly higher among younger cohorts, with 49 per cent of single Gen Z respondents expressing openness to the platform.
Generational divide
The generational gap in attitudes was pronounced. Among single respondents, 28 per cent of millennials said they would likely use FirstDate, compared with 23 per cent of Gen X respondents and 8 per cent of baby boomers.
Broader support for government-backed matchmaking services followed a similar pattern. Overall, 44 per cent of Singaporeans supported such services, with Gen Z recording the highest backing at 56 per cent. A further 38 per cent of all respondents were neutral, and 8 per cent opposed the idea.
Among those who opposed government-backed matchmaking, 61 per cent felt dating and relationships were a personal matter, 56 per cent said the government should focus on issues such as the cost of living, and 38 per cent believed public funds would be better spent on other priorities.
What would encourage uptake
When asked what features would encourage them to use government-supported dating services, 42 per cent of respondents pointed to verified identities as a means of reducing fake profiles. Matching based on shared values, interests and lifestyles was cited by 35 per cent, while strong privacy protections and control over personal information were cited by 26 per cent.
FirstDate is currently being piloted for government workers. GovTech, the Government Technology Agency of Singapore, created the platform.
Why singles remain single
The survey also probed attitudes toward singlehood against a backdrop of shifting relationship trends. The Department of Statistics' General Household Survey 2025 showed that more Singapore residents in their 20s and 30s had never married compared with five years earlier.
Among single respondents in the YouGov survey, 50 per cent cited independence as a reason for remaining single and 42 per cent said they had yet to find a compatible partner. For Gen Z specifically, 54 per cent pointed to difficulty finding someone compatible, and 57 per cent cited career ambitions, personal goals and financial stability as factors behind more people staying single.
Overall, 47 per cent of all respondents attributed rising singlehood to a preference for independence and personal fulfilment, with an equal share citing a greater focus on career goals and financial stability. Difficulty finding a compatible partner was noted by 37 per cent, while 34 per cent cited financial or emotional responsibilities and 33 per cent pointed to changing attitudes towards marriage.
Chi Wei Teo, general manager of YouGov Singapore, said the findings suggested that while alternative matchmaking services may appeal to some singles, they need to align with people's expectations around compatibility, personal choice and how they want to approach relationships.