Millions of adults may be staying in relationships built more on comfort than chemistry, according to new MyIQ data, with many privately admitting they do not believe their partner was their ideal match.
A new survey from MyIQ has found that one in three adults believes they may have settled for their current partner, suggesting that private disappointment may be far more common in modern relationships than couples openly admit.
The study, based on responses from 4,248 adults across the US, found that 33% of respondents admitted they have felt they compromised when choosing their partner. A further 28% said they believe their own partner may have settled for them.
The findings point to a striking emotional undercurrent beneath many seemingly stable relationships, with millions potentially remaining in partnerships shaped less by passion than by convenience, timing, or fear of starting over.
Adults aged 25 to 34 were the most likely to report feelings of regret, with 41% admitting they had questioned whether they had chosen the right person. The data suggests younger generations may be feeling the greatest pressure to commit while navigating modern dating expectations, financial insecurity, and anxiety around long-term compatibility.
Women were slightly more likely than men to admit they had settled, with 35% saying they had doubts about their choice of partner compared with 31% of men.
Older adults appeared far more secure in their decisions. Respondents aged 45 and over were the least likely to say they had settled, indicating that confidence in relationship choices may strengthen with age and experience.
While many relationships outwardly appear healthy, the findings suggest a significant number may be built on quiet compromise rather than deep emotional fulfilment. Experts have long noted that many couples stay together for reasons beyond love alone, including shared finances, family stability, emotional dependency, and fear of loneliness.
MyIQ’s data offers a rare quantitative look into a subject many people may think about but rarely admit aloud: whether they truly ended up with the person they wanted most.
As conversations around modern dating and emotional fulfilment continue to evolve, the findings may reflect a broader cultural shift in how relationships are formed and maintained - with practicality increasingly outweighing romantic idealism in long-term partner selection.
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.
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.