60+ Dating Monitor 2026
How do over-60s date in 2026? Self-reported profile data from 15.000+ active members on 60dating.com.
Key Findings from the 60+ Dating Monitor 2026
37%
Widowed
Start dating after losing a partner
54%
Seeks friendship first
Quality over quick matches
42%
Chooses LAT
Living apart, together
80%
Non-smoker
The sharpest lifestyle difference on the platform
More time for trust
Seniors deliberately build connections more slowly
Platforminzicht
The data shows that fewer than 10% of over-60s on the platform are directly seeking a committed relationship. The vast majority start with friendship or companionship.
Platform Overview
105.000+
Registrations since 2015
65-69
Largest age group
Age Distribution
How old are our members? Distribution by age group (n=17.020).
60dating.com — 60+ Dating Monitor 2026
The 65-69 age group accounts for 30% of members on 60dating.com (2026), making it the largest group. The youngest group (60-64) is not the largest: many seniors start later.
Many over-60s discover online dating after retirement, when there is more time for social connections. The youngest group (60-64) is not the largest: seniors often start online dating later in life.
The US population is aging: the proportion of over-65s is projected to rise significantly in the coming decades (source: US Census Bureau). Online dating is gaining ground as an accessible way to make new connections later in life.
Marital Status
The background of our members: single, divorced or widowed (n=8.830 members with completed status).
37%
29%
28%
3%
2%
1%
60dating.com — 60+ Dating Monitor 2026
37% of active 60+ daters on 60dating.com are widowed (2026).
Many over-60s find it difficult to meet new people through their social circle after losing a partner. Online dating significantly lowers that barrier, as contact can develop at one's own pace. The platform provides a safe environment where widows and widowers can start again without pressure.
Loneliness among older adults is a growing societal issue, particularly after losing a partner (source: AARP). A dating platform lowers the barrier to rebuilding social connections from home.
Platforminzicht
The data shows that widowed members sign up at a later age on average than divorced members, but are more active on the platform after signing up.
Lifestyle & Preferences
Smoking habits, children, education and exercise frequency of our members (n=8.976).
Smoking Habits
Children
Education
Activity Level
60dating.com — 60+ Dating Monitor 2026
80% of active 60+ daters on 60dating.com do not smoke (2026). Smoking habits represent the sharpest lifestyle difference on the platform.
60+ daters value health and independence. The vast majority do not smoke, and smoking habits represent one of the sharpest lifestyle differences on the platform. Most members have children who live independently, leaving them free to put a new relationship center stage.
Relationship & Lifestyle
What are active 60+ daters looking for? Relationship preferences, living arrangements and lifestyle (n=7.122 members with lifestyle profile).
What are members looking for?
Living together?
Pace
Work Status
Housing
Travel
60dating.com — 60+ Dating Monitor 2026
On 60dating.com, 54% of over-60s indicate they seek friendship first before a relationship develops (2026).
The majority of active 60+ daters seek friendship first before it develops into a relationship. Only a small minority want to move in together right away; most choose to live apart (LAT).
60dating.com — Relationship & Lifestyle
42% of over-60s on 60dating.com choose a LAT relationship (living apart together) (2026).
Top 10 Hobbies of Active Members
Members can select multiple hobbies. Percentages show the share per hobby of all selections.
Frequently Asked Questions
How reliable are these figures?
All figures are based on anonymized profile data from 15.000+ active members on 60dating.com. The data is updated every 12 hours. No estimates or extrapolations are used, only actual profile data.
How often are the statistics updated?
The statistics on this page are automatically updated every 12 hours. The figures shown are therefore always current and based on the most recent profile data.
Why do seniors choose online dating?
After retirement, losing a partner or a shrinking social circle, many over-60s look for new ways to meet people. Online dating offers the opportunity to make contact at your own pace, without the pressure of social events.
How safe is online dating for seniors?
60dating.com uses extensive verification, AI-driven moderation and manual photo checks to ensure member safety. Every profile is screened before it becomes visible to other members.
What is the average age on a 60+ dating site?
On 60dating.com, the average age is 71 years. The largest age group is 65-69, showing that online dating is becoming increasingly popular among seniors.
Methodology
Demographic figures (age, gender) are based on 15.000+ members who logged in within the past 12 months on 60dating.com.
By 'active' we mean members who logged in at least once within the past 12 months on 60dating.com.
Profile fields such as marital status, smoking habits and education have been completed by a subset of members. The sample size differs per field (see n-values per section).
Lifestyle data (relationship preference, living arrangement, pace) comes from 7.122 members who completed the lifestyle profile.
Percentages are calculated across members who completed the relevant field. Not all members complete every profile field.
The data concerns users of 60dating.com and is not representative of all American over-60s.
For the smallest sample (n=7.122, lifestyle data), the margin of error is approximately 1.4% at 95% confidence.
The data is automatically updated every 12 hours.
No personal data is shared. All percentages are calculated from aggregated, anonymized data.
Sources & context
About this monitor
This monitor is based on anonymised profile data from 15.000+ active members of 60dating.com. The figures come straight from the member database, not from a survey or estimate. Questions about the figures? Email pers@60dating.com. 60dating.com has been a dating site in the Netherlands and Belgium since 2015.
Research 60dating.com
60dating.com