Author: Margaret

Global Love Report – Sep 10th, 2025
English summary by Margaret 

Karine Le Marchand is known as the popular host of the show Love is in the Meadow, which helps farmers find partners. Recently, she launched a supervised matchmaking agency called Le Club des Belles âmes, designed to help singles find a serious partner.

This initiative came from Karine’s observation of widespread loneliness in France, where about 18 million people live alone and many feel exhausted and disappointed by dating apps. Through this service, Karine aims to provide a safer, more serious, and caring environment, distinct from typical dating app experiences.

To access the service, users pay a monthly subscription fee of €150 (around US$175). Additionally, there is a €200 (around US$234) fee to participate in a half-day slow dating event held in a friendly, relaxed setting. These fees act as filters to ensure participants are motivated and committed.

The selection process includes completing a detailed questionnaire with over a hundred questions to identify personality, values, and expectations. Candidates must also verify their identity, income, and location to prevent fake profiles. Clients are required to sign a moral commitment charter, which emphasizes honesty and respect. Specifically about breakups, prohibiting simultaneous relationships, and enforcing mutual respect. Rule violations may lead to a permanent ban.

Beyond virtual meetings, the club organizes large-scale in-person events with 50 to 100 participants divided into small groups of 6 to 10 people. Discussions focus on topics related to couple life, allowing participants to connect more naturally. If connections form, participants may continue with dinner or drinks, supported by temporary WhatsApp groups to facilitate further communication. 

Originally published by: So Busy Girls

Global Love Report – Sep 3rd, 2025
English summary by Margaret 

As of August 2025, IBJ Co., Ltd. has officially surpassed 100,000 registered members, making it the largest matchmaking agency network in Japan. This growth was driven by nationwide franchise expansion and the merger with major agency O-net in 2024, making IBJ’s services more accessible through a mix of individual and corporate-run branches.

Public interest in marriage has also increased, partly due to concerns over Japan’s declining birth rate and population. Media coverage has helped raise awareness of matchmaking services, especially among people who were previously unfamiliar with them.

This growing awareness has also influenced younger generations. IBJ recorded a 134% increase in new members in their 20s and 30s compared to last year. Many in this age group are shifting away from dating apps, turning to matchmaking agencies as a more reliable and focused way to find serious partners.

To meet this rising demand, IBJ is looking to enhance its services through technology. With support from Microsoft Japan, the company is developing AI-based matchmaking, dating preparation programs, and tools to support counselors in their daily work.

In parallel, IBJ also plans to strengthen collaboration with local governments to help address broader social issues like population decline, using its matchmaking network to support people seeking marriage in a more structured and effective way.

Originally published by: PR TIMES

Global Love Report – Aug 20th, 2025
English summary by Margaret 

Sylvie Bourhis, a 63-year-old woman from Côtes-d’Armor in northwestern France, has created a unique approach to matchmaking. She runs an Unicis matchmaking agency that operates directly from her camper van. Before entering the world of matchmaking, Sylvie spent over 30 years working in the pharmaceutical field.

Her one-of-a-kind idea emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, when in-person appointments became nearly impossible to conduct. In 2021, she decided to close her physical office and take her services on the road, traveling between the Côtes-d’Armor and northern Finistère regions. Covering around 24,855 miles each year, Sylvie stops in rest areas, small villages, and quiet coastal spots to meet clients face-to-face.

Unicis serves a diverse range of clients, from young people who have recently relocated to individuals who have experienced divorce, betrayal, or the loss of a spouse. Each year, Sylvie supports between 500 and 550 clients, aged 28 to 85 years old. While she has received interest from LGBTQ+ individuals, she currently focuses on heterosexual pairings due to the demographics of her client base.

The matchmaking process begins with an initial screening via phone, email, or form. Clients are then invited for a 90-minute personal interview inside her camper van, where Sylvie explores their life stories, past experiences, interests, and ideal partner preferences. Contact details between clients are not exchanged; instead, she shares profile descriptions. If mutual interest is expressed, she facilitates the first connection.

Originally published by: actu.fr

Global Love Report – Aug 6th, 2025
English summary by Margaret 

According to The Economist, Tinder and Bumble collectively lost 17 million users in the second quarter of 2024, with downloads down 20% year-over-year. The drop reflects a broader shift in Spain, where many young people are moving away from apps, citing emotional fatigue and frustration with their superficial nature. The shift is particularly evident in major cities like Madrid, Valencia, and Barcelona, where several matchmaking agencies have thrived by offering a more personalized and supportive alternative to digital dating.

Agencies such as Harmony, based near El Retiro Park in Madrid, and Lazos, with offices in both Valencia and Madrid, have reported a notable increase in clients under 30. This age group has traditionally shown little interest in formal matchmaking services. It represents a significant shift for an industry that has historically catered to older or divorced individuals.

Carmen del Valle, founder of Harmony, explains that about 20% of her clients are now in their twenties. Many have “broken up” with dating apps after years of disappointing experiences. These young adults are not just searching for partners; they’re seeking guidance and deeper emotional connections.

Coaching Becomes an Important Service

To meet the needs of younger singles, some matchmaking agencies, such as Harmony and Lazos, now offer coaching sessions. Lazos has also integrated psychological support into its services. These programs help clients manage rejection in healthier ways, build emotional resilience, improve communication skills, and set realistic expectations about relationships.

This kind of professional support is especially important for younger generations who, according to Del Valle, have been socially and emotionally affected by heavy reliance on digital communication. 

Rethinking Love in the Digital Age

According to Isabel Fuster, psychologist and director of Lazos Valencia, many clients come in with unconventional relationship histories, ranging from casual dating to polyamory. But once they enter a more structured matchmaking process, some bring unrealistic hopes of instant chemistry or “love at first sight.” When those expectations aren’t met, emotional burnout often follows.

Clara Soto from Lazos Madrid adds that many Gen Z clients also experience symptoms of anxiety and frustration, feelings she ties to the emotionally shallow nature of digital dating. “They’re craving meaningful, face-to-face interactions where they feel truly seen and understood,” she says. 

Busy Lives, Practical Needs

Many clients are young professionals or students returning from abroad, whose busy lifestyles leave little time for meeting people naturally. For them, matchmaking offers not just a romantic solution, but also a practical, more efficient, and curated way to find a connection.

Agencies offer private, tailored matchmaking experiences. Packages typically range from USD 750 to USD 2,150 and include 5–10 dates or up to a year of service. Some clients choose flexible payment options. And in some cases, parents even cover the cost, viewing it as an investment in their children’s well-being.

Despite the cost, the outcome is promising; most agencies report that around 80% of clients under 30 find a stable partner within one year.

Matchmaking Reimagined for a New Generation

To better align with younger users, many agencies are modernizing their image. Some have dropped the term “marriage agency” in favor of “dating agency,” removing the pressure of long-term commitment.

They’re also expanding their offerings beyond one-on-one introductions, organizing face-to-face group activities like speed dating, running clubs, and hiking events, which are gaining popularity in cities like Madrid and Barcelona.

Sara Radaideh Fuertes, who runs a matchmaking agency in Valencia, recalls how her parents hosted singles’ parties at Valencia’s Astoria Hotel in the 1980s. “Now, we’re seeing a revival of those ideas, but adapted to modern lifestyles,” she says.

Originally published by: EL PAÍS

Global Love Report – July 30th, 2025
English summary by Margaret 

Partner Agent, a matchmaking agency operated by Tameny Inc., recently conducted a survey of singles in Japan. The survey revealed insights into the experiences and challenges faced by single men and women aged 31 to 59 in their search for a life partner. The survey involved 238 respondents who, when starting their careers, had a strong desire to get married.

This strong desire aligns with findings from an earlier survey in June, which revealed that about 70% of workers aged 30 to 50 wanted to marry when they first entered the workforce. However, despite this clear intention, many remain unmarried. The primary obstacles reported include financial difficulties, lack of time to meet potential partners, and challenges in finding someone compatible.

When exploring how these individuals acted on their desire to marry, the survey found that only 40.3% had actively searched for a partner. The length of this search varied widely; some looked for over three years, others for one to three years, and a smaller portion for just a few months. 

Notably, among those who began searching for a partner, nearly 70% stayed committed to the process for more than one year, indicating strong persistence once they started. Conversely, 59.7% of all respondents have never taken active steps to find a partner. This was most common among those aged 50 to 59, where 75% reported never having searched, with the proportion gradually decreasing among younger age groups.

Regarding the methods used, dating websites or apps were the most popular, with 68.6% of those who sought partners using them. Social gatherings like group dates were the methods chosen by 40.7% of those surveyed, while 37.2% chose introductions through friends by 37.2%, and matchmaking events by 31.4%.

Interestingly, traditional introductions by family or relatives have sharply declined to just 10.5%. This shift toward modern, technology-based, and social methods is particularly pronounced among people in their 30s, reflecting a move toward more independent and proactive partner searching.

The results of these efforts varied. About 11.3% of respondents reported no success from their search, while over one-third formed relationships ranging from casual dating to serious partnerships. Notably, the family-introduced method yielded the lowest success rate for serious relationships at 12.5%. Additionally, most participants used nearly three different methods simultaneously, highlighting the importance of a diverse approach when looking for a partner.

Understanding why many remain unmarried, the survey found that 26.6% cited a lack of urgency, and the same percentage pointed to busy schedules limiting their time. Meanwhile, 25% mentioned difficulty finding a suitable partner, and 20.7% were held back by financial concerns.

These practical barriers and shifting priorities often delay active partner searching, even when the desire is strong. Moreover, the recent rise of dating apps means many have yet to begin their search early enough, prolonging their single status.

Looking ahead, many respondents expressed regret at not starting their search sooner. They plan to be more proactive in the future by signing up with matchmaking agencies, attending dating events, or using dating apps. However, some have accepted their current situation, stating they would still choose to remain unmarried, embracing it as a personal life decision. 

Originally published by: PR TIMES

Global Love Report – July 30th, 2025
English summary by Margaret 

Seeking to offer a more personal and meaningful alternative to dating apps, Prune Gasser has launched a new matchmaking agency, Jadora Rencontre, in Vannes, a city in the western region of France.

With a background as an administrative assistant and newly trained marriage counsellor, Gasser was inspired by her own experiences with singlehood and the challenges of finding genuine connection in the digital age. Her goal is to restore authenticity and a human touch to modern dating.

Jadora Rencontre provides services for a range of age groups, including people in their 30s and 40s, single parents, and seniors. 

Originally published by: Le Télégramme

Global Love Report – July 9th, 2025
English summary by Margaret 

In today’s dating world, dominated by visuals and fast-paced apps, people with disabilities often face greater obstacles in forming romantic connections. Responding to this gap, Tanja De Block, based in Belgium, founded InclusiefDaten, a matchmaking agency focused on creating a more inclusive and accessible experience. More than just matching clients, the agency provides tailored emotional and psychological support, especially for those navigating mental, social, or physical challenges.

At first, InclusiefDaten was a matchmaking agency for ‘people with depth.’ But they soon noticed that most of their clients were individuals with physical or mental disabilities. Seeing this overwhelming demand, Tanja decided to focus on serving both people with and without disabilities. However, she also notes that nearly all members today are people with disabilities, something that, for her, underscores the persistent stigma in conventional dating.

What sets her agency apart is its emphasis on emotional readiness, not just compatibility. She believes that true connection requires addressing underlying issues. “It makes no sense to send people on 101 dates when underlying problems stop them from meeting a match,” she says. Depending on the client’s needs, she offers counseling herself or refers them to trusted psychologists or therapists.

In her effort to change perceptions, she also promotes the humanization of people with disabilities. She collaborates with inclusion-focused groups like Dito VZW to organize social activities and has launched a podcast featuring real stories from people with chronic illnesses or neurodivergent conditions. Through these personal stories, she hopes the stories help listeners see that disabilities don’t define a person and dating someone with one isn’t as complicated as it seems.

Despite limited funding, she has chosen to keep her services highly affordable, charging just one symbolic euro to register. But she stresses the need for broader support to sustain such efforts. She points out that while singles in general are more vulnerable to loneliness due to limited time, support, and resources, these challenges are significantly more severe for those with disabilities. 

Originally published by: Nieuwsblad

Global Love Report – July 9th, 2025
English summary by Margaret 

To coincide with Japan’s annual Tanabata festival on July 7th, a celebration based on the folklore of distant lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi, matchmaking company IBJ Inc. surveyed the users of its Bridal Net platform, which has 1,609 active users. The study, managed by the IBJ Matching App Lab, explored the attitudes of modern singles toward long-distance relationships (LDRs), which are increasingly common in the context of modern work and lifestyle choices.

Experience with Long-Distance Relationships

Among 1,381 respondents who answered whether they had been in a long-distance relationship, 42.4% said they had such experience. Women were slightly more likely to have been in LDRs, with 47% of 372 female respondents answering yes, compared to 40.7% of the 1,009 male participants.  

Perceptions of Whether Long-Distance Relationships Can Work

When asked about the overall feasibility of long-distance relationships, responses were divided but leaned toward cautious optimism. A combined 56.8% of all participants felt that LDRs are possible. Specifically, 28.2% said they believe such relationships are possible, while 28.6% were open to them if certain conditions, such as limited distance or duration, are met. Meanwhile, 35.2% said they would prefer to avoid LDRs if possible, and only a small portion, 8.1%, said they do not believe they can work at all. 

Gender-Based Differences in Attitudes Toward LDRs

The survey revealed subtle differences between men’s and women’s perspectives. Among men, 31.3% believed long-distance relationships are possible, and 27.1% were open to them under specific conditions. However, 34.2% stated they would rather avoid them. In contrast, women tended to show greater caution. Only 19.1% expressed belief in LDRs without reservations, while 32.8% were open if the right conditions were in place. The largest portion, 38%, indicated they would avoid being in one if given the choice, suggesting a stronger preference for proximity and emotional consistency.

Reasons for Supporting Long-Distance Relationships

The most frequently cited reason for accepting long-distance relationships was the belief that “distance doesn’t matter if you love each other.” This response was common among both men and women. Additionally, female respondents commonly mentioned that LDRs provide more free time for personal activities, which was the second most cited reason among women and fifth among men.

Main Challenges in Sustaining LDRs

Participants also identified key challenges. For men, the inability to meet in person whenever desired emerged as a primary concern. For women, the financial strain, particularly travel expenses, was the top issue. One woman in her 40s shared that although the distance didn’t affect her emotionally, the cost of frequent two-hour commutes made it difficult to save for the future. 

Keys to Making LDRs Last

Across both male and female respondents, the main factors contributing to successful long-distance relationships included maintaining frequent communication, setting clear expectations for how often to meet, and discussing future plans. Because regular in-person interaction is limited, many respondents pointed to the importance of maintaining emotional stability and a shared sense of security.

Originally published by: PR TIMES