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Marlin Bowring highlights how rising costs are forcing Australian singles to prioritize savings over dating during a 'romance recession'.

Marlin Bowring, a 23-year-old Sydney finance worker, is currently prioritizing saving for travel and a future home over the active dating scene. His experience reflects a broader trend identified by the bank ING, which describes the current economic climate as a 'romance recession.' Research from ING shows that 30 per cent of singles are avoiding dating to save money, with 68 per cent of those surveyed having not gone on a single date since the start of 2026. The bank reported that Australians spend an average of $91 per date, totaling over $1.3 billion nationally so far this year. As discretionary spending is under pressure, consumers are becoming more selective. Chris Baskerville of Jirsch Sutherland noted that households are prioritizing essentials like mortgages and groceries, which impacts small businesses. Furthermore, 87 per cent of those surveyed by ING stated that aligned saving and habits are important in a new relationship, making financial compatibility a key factor in modern dating.

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