DISPATCHES · RESEARCH · 26.10.2026

Money worries are making Gen Z cancel dates, Barclays survey finds

More than a quarter of Gen Z adults in the UK have cancelled, rearranged or turned down a date because of money, according to a Barclays-commissioned survey of 2,000 people. Cheaper dates are becoming the norm for under-30s.

By On Dating Journal Editors Published 26.10.20263 min read

Two coffee cups on saucers on a dark wooden café table — Photo: Katarzyna Grabowska / Unsplash

More than a quarter of Gen Z adults in the UK (27%) have cancelled, rearranged or declined a date because of money concerns, according to a survey commissioned by Barclays and published on 26 October 2026. The poll of 2,000 people across the UK was carried out by Opinium Research in September and reported by the PA news agency. These are bank-commissioned figures, released to launch a Barclays social media series on money and relationships.

Across all age groups the figure is lower, at 14%, which suggests the squeeze falls hardest on the people who date most.

What the survey found

Costs are getting in the way. 45% of 18 to 29-year-olds say rising costs have affected their ability to go on new dates.
Dates are being cancelled. 27% of Gen Z adults have cancelled, rearranged or turned down a date over money, against 14% of all adults.
Cheaper is fine. 54% of Gen Z would choose a cheaper meet-up, such as a coffee or a run, compared with 16% of people aged 46 and over.

“Money is increasingly shaping how people date, who they pursue and how relationships develop,” said Seema Sachdev, head of customer at Barclays UK, adding that younger adults are adapting to higher costs by choosing more affordable dates or dating less often.

Part of a wider pattern

The findings fit with other recent research. Match Group’s Spark Study, published last week, found coffee (43%) and a walk (37%) were already UK singles’ preferred first dates; we covered it in our report on UK singles struggling to connect. In the US, the Institute for Family Studies’ State of Our Unions 2026 report, based on 5,275 unmarried Americans aged 22 to 35, found 52% said they lacked the money to date.

What it means if you are dating on a budget

Barclays has its own reasons to start a conversation about money, but the numbers point to some practical takeaways:

Suggest the cheap option without apology. Over half of Gen Z would pick a coffee or a run anyway, so proposing one is unlikely to look stingy. A short daytime date is also easier to arrange safely; our first date safety guide has a checklist.
Talk about money early, lightly. Agreeing in advance whether you are splitting the bill avoids an awkward moment and helps you see whether your expectations match.
Check what you pay the apps. Subscriptions add up. From January 2027, new UK rules will require renewal reminders and easier cancellation; see our explainer on the subscription changes.
Be wary of money talk from strangers. Budget worries are normal, but a new match who quickly brings up their own money problems or asks for help is a classic romance scam warning sign.