Do you feel the same? Recently, when scrolling through feeds and seeing wedding or baby photos, the first thought that comes to mind is no longer jealousy but "all those expenses!". "costs all around!"
If your answer is yes, you might be among the new generation of singles who are dominating the city and reflecting financial mindsets worth studying. Data from Krungsri Research clearly shows that now, urban dwellers like us who remain single have surged to 41%, surpassing those in relationships.
This is not a coincidence or due to lack of interest, but rather a strategic "choice". In the volatile economic climate of 2026, carrying risk alone is clearly more flexible. Who would have thought that being single, once mocked, has become a "main engine" driving Thailand’s economy forward today?
The data clearly suggests we may need to forget the old notion that marriage and children complete a life. Singles in 2026 see the "opportunity cost" of family life as very high. The survey found the main reasons for staying single are financial security (30%) and personal life goals (28.5%) they want to pursue first.
Interestingly, the belief that "being single is cheaper" is much stronger among men. Men in relationships are 1.5 times more likely than women with partners to think, "If I were single, I wouldn’t spend money like this." This is a hidden truth beneath relationships.
Modern women and Gen Z clearly don’t yearn for heirs to continue their lineage but value developing their own potential and achieving perfect Work-Life Balance more.
Since they don’t have to share money or save to spoil anyone else, "investing in human capital" has become a national priority for singles. They are willing to pay more to buy time and reduce stress.
Did you know singles splurge on "beauty treatments and skin care" heavily, averaging 20,156 baht per year, about 4% of their income? Their motto is to look perfect and impressive even when dining solo or traveling alone. For these women, happiness means seeing their bank balance grow along with their beauty.
Another interesting finding from this research tested singles’ responses to sudden windfalls, like winning a jackpot. It found singles manage money very differently from those in relationships.
For singles earning less than 30,000 baht, the first task is to "pay off debt" to regain freedom. Those better established skip this step and move immediately to "building the future."
Over 25% of singles quickly invest in stocks, mutual funds, or savings insurance, knowing well they lack a "support network in crisis" or a second income from a partner. Financial planning is not boring but a "shield" they must build themselves.
The most striking part of this research concerns "asset management at life’s end." Without children to worry about, singles today have revolutionized the inheritance concept. Only 29% plan to leave assets to their biological family. The rest are either "charitable givers" or "big spenders" for real!
All this reflects how singles are redefining "heirs" from blood relatives to "networks they value," including foundations, pets, or those truly by their side when needed.
Furthermore, the survey found singles show more interest in investing, international travel, and spending on self-care and beauty treatments than those with partners or families. This reflects a distinct "single-person economy" spending pattern. If the trend of remaining single in Thai society continues to rise, Krungsri Research expects singles to become a major economic consumer group in the future with significant impact.
Source: Krungsri Research 2026
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