Did Online Dating Increase US Income Inequality?

New research suggests that online dating has contributed to rising income inequality in the United States. The study, which used Census data, found that online dating has led to "assortative mating," where people are more likely to marry partners with similar income and education levels. This trend has been particularly pronounced since 2008, coinciding with the rise of online dating apps. The researchers discovered that women using these apps have become slightly more selective about age, while men have become more selective about education level in their partner preferences. When comparing this data to marriage patterns from 1960 and 1980, a significant increase in partnering with individuals of similar socioeconomic backgrounds is evident in the more recent period. The study estimates that online dating has contributed to a 3% increase in the Gini coefficient, a measure of income inequality. This research, conducted by economists from the Federal Reserve Banks of Dallas and St. Louis and Haverford College, highlights the unintended consequences of technological advancements on societal trends. The researchers conclude that the rise in income inequality over the past five decades is significantly linked to this pattern of selecting partners with similar income and education levels.