Author: Pamela Lugten

Global Love Report – June 14, 2023
English summary by Pamela Stephanie

Cristel Leeuwenhaag and Marieke Slingenberg are “De Liefdesmakelaars” or the Love Brokers. They previously worked in social services prior to starting their business.

According to Slingenberg, she had been considering the idea of a matchmaking agency for some time. She often spoke to clients who were lonely and regularly thought that they were too nice to be single. She even found that some clients can be a good match with each other. Unfortunately, as a social worker, she couldn’t do anything.

Leeuwenhaag worked in the same organization as Slingenberg. During one of their talks, they spoke of love and relationships. The duo then started to think more seriously about a matchmaking agency before they eventually decided to go for it. They put their ideas together and created the concept for their “De Liefdesmakelaars” matchmaking agency.

They work with clients who are set in life—house, job, and social life—but lack a partner. Their agency provides coaching as well as matchmaking. And add a personal touch to their method.

This personal touch includes sharing their relationship experiences with their clients. After all, clients need to be open about their dating and relationship history. According to Slingenberg, “If they make themselves vulnerable, we should do that too, I think.”

Both Leeuwenhaag and Slingenberg can understand the importance of improving oneself and having the courage to take action. Because without the need to improve and the courage to take action, they never would have started their matchmaking agency and become “Love Brokers”.

Originally published by Bevelandse Bode

(Image source: Puwadon Sangngern @ Pexels)

Global Love Report – June 7, 2023
English summary by Pamela Stephanie

People in their 30s tend to look for stability. They would either start a family—the average age to give birth to a first child is 31, according to the Spanish National Institute of Statistics—or purchase a house.

And that may be why Spanish singles in their 30s turn to matchmakers for help. Alicia López, a psychologist and Director of the Spanish matchmaking agency Lazos, explains that singles of this age group want to start a family or become parents and want someone to share a life with.

However, accomplishing these things can be difficult.

López explains that society today is dominated by social media. And on dating platforms, you’re judged by your picture and won’t be given an opportunity.

But despite this, López reveals that the company is grateful to dating apps because she believes that they encourage singles to find a partner in “unconventional ways,” thereby opening their eyes to other possibilities, such as using a matchmaking agency.

So, people would come to her agency without feeling embarrassed or having difficulties, which was different from the past. They also come with a lot of enthusiasm and high expectations—which the agency lowers to a more reasonable level.

Originally published by La Voz de Galicia

(Image source: Pablo Heimplatz @ Unsplash)

Global Love Report – May 17, 2023
English summary by Pamela Stephanie

According to South Korea’s National Tax Service, currently, there are more matchmaking agencies in Korea today than before the pandemic.

The number of matchmaking agencies in Korea in February 2023 was 1,841. This is a 17% increase compared to 2019. However, before 2019, the number of matchmaking agencies was decreasing.

There were 1,613 agencies in February 2017, 1,609 in 2018, and 1572 in 2019.

But since COVID, that number has increased, with 1,684 in 2021 and 1,723 in 2022.

However, the number of actual marriages has declined; the total number of marriages in South Korea was below 200,000 for 2022 and 2023.

This has to do with the decline in the importance of marriage among young people, specifically those in their 20s and 30s. The report showed that less than 50% of those in their 20s (40.6%) and their 30s (42.3%) believe they should get married.

Originally published by SEGYE

(Image source: 전주홍 @ Pexels)

Global Love Report – May 17, 2023
English summary by Pamela Stephanie

French singles are choosing to use a matchmaking agency to find a partner. These singles–who are 32 to 37 years old–chose “traditional” matchmaking agencies for different reasons. This is even though 22% of new couples that started dating in the last 12 months have stated that they met through an online dating app or website.

One of the reasons why French singles are choosing matchmaking agencies is because they’ve had no luck on online dating platforms. One of these singles is a 32-year-old salesman who describes himself as shy and reserved. He decided to register with one of Unicis’ agencies and has successfully found a relationship.

Another reason is for convenience’s sake. He explains that he uses Uber to get around, has a cleaner to clean his home, and uses a travel agency to book his vacation. So, it makes sense for him to use a matchmaking agency to find a partner.

However, despite this, the image of matchmaking agencies and those who choose to use matchmaking agencies need to change.

Some successful clients have been reluctant to share that they’ve used the services of a matchmaking agency. Mathilde* met her partner Thomas* through an agency. And the couple is currently expecting a baby. But when asked how they met, they would reply that they met through a mutual friend. Only close friends are aware of the truth.

Another issue is that agencies are seen as something used by older people persists. Matthieu, a 37-year-old client of the matchmaking agency “Begin,” said he thought that matchmaking agencies were for older people and those who can’t use the internet. He also revealed that he was initially afraid that he would be matched with a 60-year-old woman.

And while he’s not embarrassed to disclose that he’s using a matchmaking agency, but some may see the fact that he’s paying someone to help him find a partner can be seen as a weakness. He said his friends laughed at him when he revealed this fact, but after, some came to him privately to ask for details.

Originally published by 20 Minutes

(Image source: Anna Urlapova @ Pexels)

Global Love Report – May 3, 2023
English summary by Pamela Stephanie

French dating app Happn recently researched dating expenditures to figure out dating’s economic woes.

According to their research, 85% of singles surveyed go on a date at an average of one date per month. (31% would spend between €1 and €25 on the date. 15% spend between €25 and €50, 15% spend between €50 and €75. Slightly less than 11% spend between €75 and €100. Lastly, 8% spend above €100. However, there are examples of singles who spend even lower. In fact, around one in five singles, on average, wouldn’t spend any money on a date.

The survey also revealed that around 18% of singles worry about the bill during a date. 13% of respondents have canceled their date because of their worry.

And what about who pays the bill at the end of the date?

According to Happn’s survey, 55% of men like to pay for the date. However, only 8% of women would like to do so. On the other hand, more female respondents prefer splitting the bill (30%) compared to male respondents (12%).

About 75% of singles are more open about money matters. 64% of Dutch singles talk about money and believe the topic should be discussed. Whereas 1 in 3 prefer not to do so because it’s not a romantic topic.

Originally published by Cosmopolitan

(Image source: Engin Akyurt @ Pexels)

Global Love Report – May 3, 2023
English summary by Pamela Stephanie

IBJ launches Matching App Laboratory, an information hub for Japanese singles. Available on their corporate website, this new information center provides singles with the latest data on dating and the how-to for successful marriages.

With this information hub, the company hopes that singles who are using or will use matchmaking apps will be able to find the information that they seek, especially those who are worried about using those apps.

The company will release articles that analyze data published by the Japanese government and other organizations. They also plan on releasing a paper on Marriage Success annually.

Along with the analysis, there will be articles on how to meet in apps and other concerns they may have with dating online. The information comes from the company’s existing customers’ experiences.

This initiative is in line with the company’s commitment to stop the declining birth rate in Japan by increasing the marriage rate.

Originally published by PR Times

(Image source: IBJ)

Global Love Report – April 12, 2023
English summary by Pamela Stephanie

Young French singles are choosing matchmaking agencies to find a partner. And why is that?

According to the Founder of Elite Connexion agency, Guerda de Haan, it’s because they feel that agencies are more private and more secure. Furthermore, agencies provide them with support, making them feel more protected. De Haan also noted that 50% of her clients are young singles around their late 20s and early 30s.

One of her success stories, a 26-year-old woman who is about to marry, said that she opted to use an agency because she felt they were more precise. And she was sure that she would be able to find someone that met her expectations.

But that may not be all. According to author and journalist Flore Cherry—an expert on sexuality—young French singles are craving commitment. And there are two reasons for this: they’ve seen their parents quickly go through divorce and wish to see commitment again.

And then there’s also the post-lockdown aspect. During lockdowns, they found themselves alone in their home, and their mental health suffered.

So young French singles are choosing matchmaking agencies because they want something more natural. Not something digital. An agency brings back that element of reality in dating.

Additionally, dating apps can be frustrating. For women, there are many choices. However, men tend to have difficulty finding a first date.

Originally published by BFMTV

(Image source: Unsplash, Julien L)