LemonSwan study: Love despite political differences?

Data and survey show: Political views influence choice of partner

• A survey of 1,025 LemonSwan members and the analysis of over 60,000 data sets from the LemonSwan personality test reveal that political views play a major role in the choice of partner.

• Only just under a quarter (22.24 percent) would enter into a relationship with someone with different political views

• Two out of five respondents would break up if differing political views led to frequent arguments

• Different states, different political views: Conservative statements find the most support in Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, and Rhineland-Palatinate

• Nationwide, LemonSwan singles agree with social values, with singles from eastern German states in particular not seeing happiness in material possessions

Love and politics—two topics that at first glance seem to have little in common, but are more important to many singles than one might think. Against the backdrop of this year's state elections and the upcoming elections next year, LemonSwan asked its members, singles between the ages of 18 and 70, about the importance of political views when entering into and maintaining a relationship. In addition to the survey, the online dating agency also evaluated data from its own personality test, in which singles rate various statements that can be interpreted as political on a scale from one (strongly disagree) to six (strongly agree).

The result: political views play an important role in choosing a partner. According to the survey, only about a quarter (22.24 percent) would enter into a relationship with someone who has different political views.

For almost half of the respondents to the member survey (42.73%), it depends on the person and the circumstances whether they would consider a relationship, for example, whether the potential partner is active in a political party. 16.29% of the singles who participated categorically reject a relationship with people who have different political views.

Political disagreements can even become a reason for breaking up: Two out of five respondents (40.29%) would end the relationship if differences of opinion on politics led to frequent conflicts. Women in particular are decisive in this regard: almost half of women (47.46%) stated that political differences could be a reason for breaking up, while only a third of men (36.67%) see it this way.

A regional look at the political attitudes of singles

But what political convictions and attitudes can be expected with regard to LemonSwan singles in the federal states and regions of the country? An anonymous evaluation of the personality test data provides an initial impression. In eastern and western Germany, there is a high level of agreement with more

conservative statements. Almost three-quarters of LemonSwan singles in Saxony-Anhalt (71.13 percent) and Thuringia (71.81 percent) agree with the statement “You have to follow the rules” with high scale values of five or six, and the figure is almost as high in Rhineland-Palatinate (69.59 percent). Looking only at the highest scale value of six, Saxony-Anhalt (25.94 percent) is in the lead, followed by Saarland (25.09 percent), Rhineland-Palatinate (24.83 percent), and Thuringia (24.72 percent).

The statement “A multicultural society is wishful thinking” also received the highest two points on the agreement scale most frequently in Thuringia (37.64 percent), Saxony-Anhalt (36.49 percent), Rhineland-Palatinate (35.74 percent), Hesse (35.52 percent), and Saarland (35.47 percent) (five or six). Interestingly, LemonSwan single men nationwide are more conservative in their response to this statement than women: 39.8 percent of men voted five or six, compared to 28.9 percent of women.

Social values, material happiness, and freedom: agreement with reservations

The picture is not so clear-cut when it comes to statements that are more socially oriented. LemonSwan singles across Germany showed full agreement with the statement “It is important to listen to others, even if they have a different opinion.” In all federal states, at least 85 percent or more chose the high agreement ratings of five or six. The city states of Berlin (66.21 percent) and Hamburg (65.7 percent) were particularly enthusiastic about the statement “It is important to support the weak in society” (scale values five and six). The situation is similar for the statement “All people must be treated equally.” Nationwide, two-thirds of LemonSwan singles (66.46 percent) voted with a strong five or six on the scale. Once again, Berlin (68.05 percent) and Hamburg (67.71 percent) stand out, but so do Saarland (67.95 percent) and Rhineland-Palatinate (67.82 percent).

As unanimous as German LemonSwan singles are on statements about social justice, they are just as divided on statements about possessions and personal freedom. Nationwide, half of singles say “Material possessions do not make you happy” (49.99 percent, scale values five and six). Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (56.28 percent), Saxony-Anhalt (55.57 percent), Brandenburg (52.69 percent), and Saxony (52.43 percent) stand out in particular here. The statement “I decide for myself what I do” received high approval ratings among singles nationwide: 67.52 percent chose values five or six on the scale. However, the northern German states are the frontrunners here: Lemon Swan singles in Hamburg prove to be the most self-determined (72.95 percent for scale values five and six), followed by Schleswig-Holstein (71.08 percent), Berlin (69.86 percent), and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (69.3 percent).

Analysis and survey show: Most singles see themselves as socially minded

The analysis of regional data from LemonSwan singles' personality tests also corresponds with the results of the member survey: When asked about their political views, 20 percent of singles rated themselves as rather conservative, 16.49 percent as rather liberal, and 37.37 percent as rather socially minded. Interestingly, women were more likely to see themselves as socially minded (43.49 percent) than men (32.75 percent). Among the latter, more than a quarter (26.47 percent) also identified as conservative (compared to 13.02 percent of women).

Methodology:

*The online survey was conducted by LemonSwan between September 16 and September 20, 2024.

**The personality test data is based on the results of a total of 63,914 LemonSwan users who completed the test between June 9 and September 9, 2024.

About LemonSwan

LemonSwan was founded in Hamburg in 2017 by Arne Kahlke and Paul Uhlig with the aim of providing the best possible online dating service. The platform uses scientifically based personality tests and personal support to bring together people who are looking for an honest, long-term relationship. LemonSwan places particular emphasis on a safe and trustworthy environment in which those seeking a partner, especially women, can feel comfortable. Each profile is checked manually and the latest technology is used to set our own standards in terms of security and quality. LemonSwan offers free premium memberships to single parents and students. Since 2024, the company has been managed by Paul Uhlig.

Ansprechpartnerinnen:
Victoria Ott & Barbara Albrecht
E-Mail:  [email protected]