Why Single Women Tend to Feel Happier Than Single Men, According to Research

Forget the old-fashioned idea that single women are unhappy or destined to be lonely. Recent research shows that many single women are actually enjoying life more than single men. This challenges the usual stories we hear about singlehood being a negative experience.

A study published in a trusted social psychology journal explored how single women feel about their relationship status and overall romantic lives. It turns out that single women report greater happiness and satisfaction when compared to single men, debunking myths about dissatisfaction among single women.

Researchers examined data from nearly six thousand participants collected over multiple studies conducted between 2020 and 2023. The participants, about 3,000 men and 3,000 women, were single adults with an average age of around 32, ranging from young adults to older adults up to age 75.

These participants answered questions about several aspects of their social and romantic lives, including how satisfied they were with their current relationship or single status, their overall happiness in life, sexual satisfaction, and how much they desired to have a romantic partner.

By looking closely at these different areas, the study aimed to offer a clearer picture of how single men and women experience happiness and fulfillment differently.

Overall, the findings reveal that single women feel more content with their relationship status than single men. Women in the study reported feeling generally happier being single compared to men, who showed a stronger wish to be in a romantic relationship.

Interestingly, single women also indicated higher sexual satisfaction than single men. This contradicts some older ideas suggesting that women often struggle more when it comes to meeting their sexual needs, especially outside of relationships.

Moreover, single women tend to score higher in overall well-being measures, reflecting a more positive life experience while being single. On the other hand, single men’s greater desire to find a partner could suggest that men might depend more heavily on romantic relationships to feel fulfilled.

If you're single and especially if you're a woman, this research shows you might be tapping into a rich and rewarding phase of life. Many single women find joy not just from romantic relationships, but from a wide variety of sources such as friendships, family connections, career progress, and personal growth opportunities like travel or hobbies.

This challenges stereotypes that single women are lonely or missing out on happiness. Instead, singlehood could be seen as an exciting chance to focus on yourself and your goals without the pressures that sometimes come with romantic commitments.

It's normal to have some days where being single feels tough, or where you wish for a partner. However, this research encourages you to view single life as a valid and fulfilling chapter, filled with opportunities to cultivate happiness on your own terms.

What kind of passions or goals could you explore if you viewed your single time as a chance to grow and thrive in other areas? How can you build a life that feels complete and joyful regardless of relationship status?

Understanding these differences in how men and women experience singlehood could help all of us think differently about happiness and how to create the most satisfying life possible — whether single or partnered.