Money doesn't buy love, but it helps you find it - study

Psychologists Jeff McDonald (University of Toronto) and Johanna Pitz (Carleton University) analysed data from more than 4,800 single people from the US and Germany. Their results are published in the Journal of Marriage and Family.

In both countries, they found that the higher a person's income, the more often he or she is positive about romantic relationships, feels ready for them and more often actually starts a new union. According to McDonald, young people are acting rationally in the face of economic instability:

"People realise they can't enjoy a relationship if they have to work 80 hours a week or aren't sure where they'll be living in a year's time."

Studies show that financial stability becomes a kind of foundation for personal life. People prefer not to rush into serious decisions until they feel economically secure.

Scientists emphasise that the results are important not only for individuals, but also for the formation of social policy. Financial instability affects long-term trends, such as declining birth rates and increasing loneliness. Therefore, supporting the economic situation of citizens can have an impact on family formation and even demographic processes.

"Many people don't want to move into a serious relationship until they have found economic footing," McDonald notes.

Contrary to expectations, however, high income does not make people happier alone. The study found no correlation between income level and satisfaction with their "single life." According to McDonald, this is due to the characteristics of life stages: a good income allows for a more interesting single life, but also signals a transition to a stage where one wants to have a serious relationship.

"When a person is financially stable, it is easier to afford both a personal life and new acquaintances," the scientist explains.

The work did not include Canadian participants, but the authors believe the results are relevant to Canada, where socioeconomic conditions are similar to the U.S. and Germany.

The authors recommend that future studies examine the impact of other economic factors - such as unemployment rates, debt load and housing affordability - on people's willingness to form relationships.