One in six Brits would be open to a non-monogamous relationship – if it were more accepted by society
One in six Brits would be open to a non-monogamous relationship – if it were more accepted by society.
With men (23 per cent) three times more likely to consider it than women (eight per cent of women).
An in-depth report polling 5,000 adults looked into the nation’s romantic lives and found only 82 per cent in a relationship are currently entirely happy in it.
But 39 per cent reckon their sex drive doesn’t match up with their partner’s.
The typical couple has sex four times a month, but 27 per cent feel ‘pressure’ to have more sex than they are.
And 36 per cent of those divorced or separated from a long-term partner did so because the other person had an affair.
A spokesperson for research agency OnePoll, which produced the bi-annual relationship report, said: “Love is different for everyone.
“Our report paints a picture of the nation’s love lives and lifts the lid on happiness levels in the UK’s relationships.
“From sex lives to the impact of separation on children, the research dives deep into love in 2024.”
Of the singletons polled, 35 per cent are ‘happy’ with their status, but 31 per cent feel neutrally about it.
It emerged the highlights of not being in a relationship include the freedom to make decisions independently (61 per cent) and exploring interests in their own time (55 per cent).
But on the other side of the coin, 51 per cent report the worst thing about being single is simply feeling lonely.
Nearly half (46 per cent) miss physical intimacy, while 25 per cent struggle to rely on a single income and 21 per cent don’t like being the only singleton in their friend groups.
When it comes to attributes single people are looking for, some things never change, with a sense of humour topping the list (70 per cent), ahead of physical attraction (63 per cent) and sexual compatibility (50 per cent).
While overly controlling behaviour is the red flag most looked out for, this drops significantly for the 18-24 year olds and increases significantly for 55-64 year olds.
Of those in relationships, they reckon they should be having sex seven times a month – although the national average is four.
OnePoll’s spokesperson added: “Relationships are deeply personal, and everyone’s experience with them is unique.
“We believe people should feel content and fulfilled in their relationships, as that is one of the most important aspects of a happy and healthy life.
“It’s essential to remember that every partnership is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to love or commitment.
“What matters most is that individuals feel valued, respected, and supported by their partners, whatever the dynamics of their relationship may be.”