You're Alone on Valentine's Day Because of Economics

TL;DR

Overall Summary: Modern economies were built assuming adults share households, so rising singlehood has created a hidden "singles tax" that makes solo living expensive and dating financially burdensome.

Key Points

• 1.The "singles tax" is real: Single people pay ~$7,100-$20,000 more annually for housing, plus higher per-unit costs on groceries, utilities, insurance, and transportation—all designed for two people to split.
• 2.Economic independence enabled singlehood: Women entering the workforce plus internet services replacing partnership functions made marriage optional rather than necessary for survival.
• 3.Marriage and birth rates collapsed: US marriage dropped from 70% to 50% of adults in 30 years; fertility fell from 3.6 to 1.7 children per woman.
• 4.Dating became a luxury expense: A casual date now costs $70-80; finding a partner can run $1,000+ in dates alone, plus $40-50/month for premium dating apps.
• 5.Singles earn less too: Partnered men earn ~$57K median vs. ~$36K for single men; couples also access spouse health insurance, retirement benefits, and tuition discounts singles can't.
• 6.The system punishes independence: When dating costs money you don't have because you're paying the singles tax, fewer relationships form—creating a self-reinforcing cycle.