MyIQ survey finds emotional intimacy down 33 percent among couples.

According to a new MyIQ survey of 12,482 users, based on self-reported answers from users who completed relationship and well-being tests, emotional closeness among long-term couples appears to have declined by 33% over the past year. Only 28% of respondents said they felt more emotionally close to their partner than a year ago, while 61% reported feeling the same or less close. At the same time, self-reported metrics on sexual frequency and physical contact show a 21% increase in couples experiencing more frequent physical intimacy compared with the prior year, suggesting a widening gap between physical and emotional connection.

Responses indicate that 47% of long-term partners report fewer regular conversations about feelings and future plans than they did a year prior; 39% say they avoid difficult topics to prevent conflict; and 34% report a decline in perceived empathy from their partner. MyIQ’s data also shows that users with higher self-reported anxiety levels are disproportionately represented among those experiencing declining emotional intimacy, suggesting a link between mental-health pressure and relational withdrawal. While the findings reflect self-reported data from MyIQ users and are not representative of the general population, they highlight emerging emotional trends among digitally engaged adults.

Analytically, the term “intimacy recession” represents a lasting shift rather than a temporary fluctuation. After the acute social shocks of the pandemic, couples have largely restored daily routines, social lives, travel, and sexual activity, while the slower work of emotional repair has lagged behind. MyIQ’s survey results suggest this lag is concentrated among couples together for five years or more and among users aged 30-45, groups that make up a significant portion of the platform’s user base.

The implications extend beyond personal relationships. Mental-health professionals could view the data as a call to integrate relationship communication into anxiety treatment. Employers could recognize that weakening emotional support at home influences workplace wellbeing and productivity. Policymakers, too, may find in these results a reminder that social recovery post-pandemic has often prioritised visible activity over emotional resilience.

MyIQ is inviting journalists and researchers to explore the anonymised survey data and methodology, framing the results as an opportunity to foster a broader dialogue on emotional resilience and relationship wellbeing in modern life.

About MyIQ:
MyIQ was launched in 2024 and is used by over a million individuals worldwide. It is a digital self-knowledge platform that offers more than an IQ score, with over 9 million completed tests across the various test categories, cognitive, personality, and relationships, all with personalised, actionable insights. The platform offers over 25 brain games, more than 150 intelligence puzzles, over 20 hours of expert video content, and 300+ available lessons on emotional intelligence, problem-solving, innovation, confidence-building, and decision-making. Through its IQ test, full-spectrum personality assessment, and relationship insight quiz, MyIQ delivers structured, personalized feedback that helps individuals better understand their inner world and behaviour.

Media Contact:
MyIQ
pr@myiq.com
Sophie de Villiers
PR Manager