The Real Relationships Report 2025

New findings from life insurance provider Real Insurance reveal how Australians are forming, maintaining, and losing relationships in 2025. The Real Relationships Report 2025 explores shrinking friend circles, dating complexity, the rise of digital-only bonds, and the cost of social connection. Download the full report for the data and trends.

Key insights

• Nearly 1 in 8 (12%) Australians report having no close friends
• Over 1 in 2 (54%) Gen Z report having been ghosted by a friend (highest among all generations)
• Nearly 2 in 5 (37%) Gen Z say they sometimes feel more connected to online personalities than to some of their real-life friends
• Over 1 in 3 (35%) Australians experience digital fatigue from maintaining online relationships, with nearly 3 in 4 (73%) Gen Z and over 1 in 2 (54%) Gen Y reporting fatigue at least occasionally
• Younger generations spend significantly more on social catch-ups, with Gen Y spending the most at $163 per month, followed by Gen Z at $128

Download full research report

Australian relationship trends and insights

A tight-knit group of mates, a loving partner, staying connected with family – these have always been the fabric of a rich and meaningful Australian life. Mateship, in particular, has long been a core ethos, but in today’s evolving relationship landscape, navigating our connections can feel more complicated than it used to. What’s driving this change? Is it the tech we’re glued to, our busy lives, or a shift in what we value?

The Real Relationships Report 2025 is part of  the ongoing Real Insurance Research Series exploring the realities of Australian life. This report dives deep into how Australians are navigating modern connections, from shrinking friend circles and the complexities of dating to the impact of our digital lives and even our finances. The study was a nationally representative survey of 1,204 Australians conducted in August 2025 and found some significant shifts in how we connect, with nearly 1 in 8 (12%) Aussies reporting they have no close friends. The research also highlights a broader sense of difficulty, with over 1 in 2 (50%) saying making new friends and dating has become harder – suggesting a widespread challenge in forming new relationships.

Half of all Australians believe dating is harder than it used to be

When ‘It’s complicated’ becomes a ‘situationship’

Forget the days of clear-cut relationships. It seems like navigating the dating world can feel like walking on eggshells. More than 1 in 2 (51%) of us say dating has become harder in recent years, with women feeling this more acutely than men. And for younger generations, nearly 3 in 5 (58%) say their romantic relationships have had a negative impact on their friendships.

The complexities of modern romance have even given us a new word, ‘situationship’. It’s the term we’ve adopted for that in-between, undefined relationship status. Despite not always being a positive experience, it’s a reality that almost half of us have encountered, with over 2 in 5 (45%) Aussies having experienced one. Gen Z is leading the charge on this one, with 1 in 5 (20%) currently in a situationship!

Aussies feel digital fatigue from maintaining their online relationships

Digital connections vs digital fatigue – a modern dilemma

Adding another layer to this is all the new ways we connect online. We all want to stay in touch, and platforms like Snapchat, Instagram DMs and WhatsApp are popular. But how much is too much? Over 1 in 3 (35%) Australians experience digital fatigue from maintaining online relationships, with younger adults feeling it the most. With nearly 2 in 5 (37%) Gen Z sometimes feeling more connected to online personalities than to some of their real-life friends, you wouldn’t be alone in wondering if we’re trading genuine connection for a sense of digital presence.

This potential trade-off between digital presence and genuine connection seems to manifest in our local communities, with 72% believing interest in neighbours has declined. The study highlighted that 62% have lived next to someone for over six months without meeting them, and negative interactions are on the rise, with 26% receiving passive-aggressive messages – highlighting a growing disconnect in our immediate surroundings.

Cost of living pressures are impacting how Australians socialise

The high price of socialising

Maintaining relationships isn’t always just emotionally draining – they can also hit us in the hip pocket. Younger generations are spending significantly more on social catch-ups, with Gen Y leading the pack at an average of $163 per month.

And it’s not just talk. The rising cost of living is impacting how we socialise. Over 2 in 5 (44%) of us are going out less frequently, and 3 in 10 (31%) are choosing more low-cost or free activities to enjoy with friends and romantic partners, proving we’re all a bit more careful about how we spend our social dollars.

This careful approach to spending reflects a broader, pervasive anxiety about finances. The research highlights that financial issues – including the cost of living and economic uncertainty – are the top concern for over half (52%) of Australians. A staggering 91% are worried about the rising cost of living, with specific pressures like housing affordability (77%) and the inability to cover emergency costs (76%) underscoring the widespread financial strain impacting daily life.

Fresh insights on how Australians view office romances

From office romances to employer disapproval – workplace woes

Finally, the workplace. It seems like office romances are more common than you might think, with around 3 in 10 (30%) Australians having been in one. Perhaps unsurprisingly, men are more likely to have taken the plunge (34%), while women are more likely to steer clear (26%).

However, most of us (56%) would avoid dating a colleague in today’s environment. In fact, two-thirds (66%) believe employers discourage these relationships. Gen Z is particularly clued in, with over 4 in 5 (84%) thinking workplace romances are a complete no-go from an employer’s perspective.

What makes a good relationship?

Despite all these challenges, most of us still value strong connections. We’re still seeking meaningful friendships, navigating the complexities of love, and trying to balance our digital and real-world interactions.

The report shows that while the landscape of relationships is changing, the core need for connection remains. It’s about being present, understanding the pressures others face, and making an effort to nurture those bonds that matter.

Ultimately, the Real Relationships Report 2025, complemented by insights from the Real Neighbours Report 2025 and Real Concerns Report 2025, reveals a challenging landscape for Australian connections. We’re seeing shrinking friend circles, difficulties in dating, and widespread digital fatigue, with 12% having no close friends and 35% feeling overwhelmed by online relationships. A growing disconnect with neighbours is also evident, alongside cost-of-living pressures impacting how we socialise. Despite these evolving dynamics and pressures, the core human need for genuine connection endures, highlighting the importance of consciously fostering meaningful relationships in our modern lives.

Methodology

The findings presented in this report are derived from the Real Relationships Report 2025, an initiative of the ongoing Real Insurance Research Series. This study was conducted in August 2025 and involved a nationally representative survey of 1,204 Australians. The survey explored contemporary Australian relationship dynamics, including friendships, romantic connections, the impact of digital interactions and financial influences on socialising. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire, with weighting and stratification used to align with national census benchmarks, providing a comprehensive overview of current trends and challenges in Australian relationships.