Mediaboss Marketing

More people will meet their partner online than offline by 2035 if current trends continue.

New research by dating platform eharmony and the Imperial College Business School also pinpointed 2037 as the year when the majority of babies in the UK are born to parents who met via the internet.

The Future of Dating report, based on data from eharmony and birth rate projections from the Office for NationalStatistics, examined how technology is changing social interactions.

It found that around a third (32%) of relationships started between 2015 and 2019 started online, compared to only 19% between 2005 and 2014.

By 2035, it says the UK will reach the "tipping point" with more than 50% of relationships beginning online.

And the research found there was a dividend from online dating, with 47% of those asked saying they felt that the internet makes it easier for introverted people to meet a partner.

Romain Bertrand, head of marketing at eharmony, said: "It's very positive to see that online dating is set to continue opening doors for singles into the future.

"At eharmony we are consistently updating our site functionality and unique Compatibility Matching System to ensure we remain on the front foot when it comes to creating online relationships.

"What's more, our long-term partnership with Imperial College Business School continues to give us valuable insight into how the world of dating and relationships might look in decades to come and how society will continue to evolve over time."

Dr Paolo Taticchi, principal teaching fellow at Imperial College Business School, said: "The digital world has streamlined the online dating process - making it easier to find someone while ensuring that they match your criteria.

"2035 will be an instrumental year for finding love and begin a new era of 21st century dating."

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Finding love online: More than half of couples set to meet via the internet - Sky News