The year 2022 saw a lot of trends come and go, from fashion to pop culture, and the world of dating is no different. In 2022, dating was all about rediscovery as we emerged from the pandemic with new behaviors such as hard balling, the rise of alcohol-free ‘dry-dating’, and an obsession with making hobbies part of our dates.

So for 2023, dating app Bumble conducted a study to see what we can expect in the world of dating. When it comes to love, Bumble suggests Filipinos should watch out for these dating trends in 2023:

87% of Filipinos are optimistic about romance

Bumble’s study suggests that next year will be more focused on challenging the status quo and finding more balance in the way we date. Still, for most people, an optimistic dating life seems to be on the horizon, since 70% of people around the world said they feel positive about the romance that lies ahead, with Filipinos being the most positive (87%) about dating in 2023 as compared to their global counterparts.

38% of people are keeping an open mind

Instead of type-casting when searching for a partner, you should try open casting, which refers to being more open to who you consider dating beyond your usual ‘type’. More than 1 in 3 (38%) people around the world are leaning toward open casting, while more than 1 in 4 (28%) of us are placing less emphasis on dating people than others ‘expect’ them to.

So you should say goodbye to the common requirements of tall, dark, and handsome and other physical features that narrow your search for love. Instead, it’s time to ask yourself: what are we looking for in partners? Specifically, in the Philippines, the overwhelming majority (77%) are now more focused on emotional maturity than physical requirements.

72% of Pinoys are more clear about their needs and boundaries

This past year, we saw a return to a semblance of normalcy with the return of office culture and busy social schedules after so long cooped up at home. However, with this comes a feeling of overwhelmedness that has forced us all to prioritize our boundaries.

According to Bumble’s study, more than half (52%) have established more boundaries over the last year. It’s even more apparent in the Philippines, where close to 3 in 4 (72%) Filipinos surveyed were clearer about their emotional needs and boundaries in 2022, with a similar proportion also indicating that they were more thoughtful and intentional about how they put themselves out there (75%) and have chosen to not overcommit themselves socially (71%). So in 2023, Filipinos in the dating scene might be a little more guarded than before, but that also means there are clearer boundaries between partners.

49% prioritize work/life balance

Work/life balance has taken precedence in our lives, with half of global respondents prioritizing work/life balance (49%). And it’s not just restricted to our work. We are also looking for that same work/life balance in our partners. In fact, Bumble’s study reports that more than half (54%) care more about their partner’s work/life balance than their career status.

Over the past year, more than half of people worldwide (52%) are actively creating more space for breaks and rest, while more than 1 in 10 (13%) don’t want to date someone who has a very demanding job. Hence, you should ensure you’ve got the love/work/life balance pat down by 2023.

33% are willing to travel for love

According to Bumble’s survey, 1 in 3 (33%) people are now more open to travel and relationships with people who are not in their current city. With post-pandemic work-from-home flexibility, many of us have become digital nomads who are always on the go, which opens up our social world much more than staying in one place does. In fact, nearly 10% of people in the Philippines said they actually find it easier to date in another country. So when you make your revenge travel plans for 2023, you might want to factor in some dating time in your itinerary, too.

55% of men are challenging stereotypes

Over the last year, 3 in 4 (74%) men worldwide on Bumble say they have examined their behavior more than ever and have a clearer understanding of “toxic masculinity” and what is unacceptable. This is even more pronounced in the Philippines, where more than half of men on Bumble (55%) are actively challenging stereotypes that suggest that men should not show emotions, for fear of appearing weak.

Additionally, 1 in 3 (36%) of men on Bumble in the Philippines now speak more openly about their emotions with their male friends, and the majority (60%) of men agree that breaking gender roles in dating and relationships is beneficial for them, too. It seems that in 2023, it’s a yes to open communication with your male partners and friends!

53% agree it’s important to discuss sexual expectations early on

In the past years, the way that we talk, think about, and have sex has been constantly evolving. More are approaching sex, intimacy, and dating in an open and exploratory way (42%). Sex is no longer taboo, with more than half agreeing that it’s important to discuss sexual wants and needs early on (53%). In 2022, 1 in 5 (20%) have explored their sexuality more and 1 in 8 (14%) are considering a non-monogamous relationship.

However, this openness doesn’t mean we’re all having more sex, as 1 in 3 (34%) people are not currently having sex and are okay with that, with this being particularly true among Gen Z (39%). In 2023, you should welcome this openness about sex as you may find yourself discussing sex with your potential partners more often than before.

The research referenced above was conducted by Bumble using internal polling between October 12 to November 1, 2022 with a sample of 14,300 Bumble users around the world, including the Philippines.

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