A large multinational study of over 13,000 single women from 144 countries reveals that political alignment has become a crucial factor in partner selection—often more important than romance itself. Researchers from the University of Göttingen and University of Jena in Germany found women with strong political beliefs, especially on the far left and right, prefer to date someone who shares their views or else choose to remain single.
Nearly half of women on the far-left said they would rather be single than date someone with contrasting political opinions, with 41% of right-leaning women feeling the same way. Moderate women were far less likely to treat politics as a relationship dealbreaker.
Political orientation also intersects with other preferences. Conservative women value traditional traits like religion, shared ethnicity, financial stability, and a partner’s career success, while women on the left prioritize other qualities. Kindness and supportiveness remain universally important.
The study underscores how political beliefs have become a defining component of romantic compatibility in today’s divided world.
