Love really is a numbers game - but if you leave it to fate the odds are 1 in 562: Now boost your chances of meeting 'the one' according to science (and it's not all down to online dating)



Disney movies may make it look easy, but new research has shown just how difficult it is to meet 'the one' in real life.

A new study has found that the chance of finding love on a given day is just 1 in 562 if you leave it entirely to fate.

But the good news is that there are several things you can do to improve those odds, including saying yes to after-work drinks, and joining online dating services. 

A new study by researchers, including celebrity mathematician, Rachel Riley, has found that the chance of finding love on a given day is just 1 in 562 if you leave it entirely to fate

ACTIONS THAT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCE OF FINDING LOVE

Factor

People added to dating pool monthly on average

Positive impact on odds

Meeting people via online dating site

8

17%

Meeting colleagues and friends of colleagues

6

16%

Talking to people at the gym

7

15%

Meeting people through shared hobbies/societies

5

11%

Talking to people at clubs/bars

4

9%

Meeting friends of friends

2

4%

Being set up by family members

0.4

1%



Talking to people in the gym was found to improve your odds of meeting 'the one' by 15 per cent.

Saying yes to after-work drinks boosted your chance by 16 per cent.

The biggest boost to your odds was found to be meeting people via online dating, with a 17 per cent jump.

Meeting friends of friends (four per cent) and being set up by family members (one per cent) were found to be the least effective routes to finding love.

The researchers, from the University of Bath, calculated the odds of falling in love with the help of celebrity mathematician Rachel Riley.

The researchers based their calculations on 18 key factors, including your location, desired age, physical attractiveness and relationship status.

Sadly, they found that just 84,440 people in the UK fit the average person's romantic requirements from an adult population of over 47 million.

This is the equivalent of just one in 562.

Ms Riley said: 'When it comes down to it, love really is a numbers game.

'Obviously, the more people you make the effort to meet the higher your chances of romantic success.

'But, as our data suggests, the odds of love can drastically diminish when we get too prescriptive about age, location, looks, and even pet preferences!'

Analysing their results further, the researchers, who worked with eHarmony as part of the study, found that the biggest impact on your chances of finding love is age.

The average UK singleton is most likely to be looking for a partner aged between 35 and 47.

The researchers found that just 84,440 people in the UK fit the average person's romantic requirements from an adult population of over 47 million (stock image)

And according to figures from the Office of National Statistics, that leaves just 17 per cent of the population as an option.

Physical attraction was second in importance, which was uncovered by a photo gallery experiment.

Researchers asked members of the public to rate images of a variety of people based on looks.

Saying yes to after work drinks was found to open up a pool of around 75 new people, increasing your chance of finding someone compatible by 16 per cent

KEY FINDINGS

- 84,440 people in the UK fit the average person's romantic requirements from an adult population of over 47 million



- The average UK singleton is most likely to be looking for a partner aged between 35 and 47 



The rate we are mutually attracted to people is 18 per cent



- The age group with the best odds were 65-74 year-olds, who have a one in 304 chance



- The age group with the toughest odds is 18-24 year-olds, who face chances of meeting the one of just one in 1,024



- Those in more urban areas like London had much better odds (one in 394) than people in rural areas like Wales (one in 649)



Disregarding other factors such as gender and age, the results revealed that the rate we are mutually attracted to people is 18%, one in every six.

The research also found that while one in three people in the UK is single, 15 per cent of those who class themselves as in a relationship also admit they're on the lookout for a new one.

This suggests that a lack of romantic compatibility is a common issue for many couples.

Using online dating services was also found to be a good tactic, increasing the number of suitable people you meet by 17 per cent.

THE ODDS OF FINDING LOVE DECREASE BASED ON YOUR CRITERIA




Factor

Percentage of population matching preference

Number of compatible people in UK remaining




Suitable age range

17%

8,131,275




Mutual Attraction

18%, 1 in 6

1,467,195

x 18%

=

3.25%, 1 in 30

(Gender & Sexuality)

(39%)

(576,994)

---



Compatibility Rate

x 40%

230,798

18% x 40%

=

7.2%,1 in 14,

Availability

x 48%

110,200

= 3.5%


1 in 28

Spiritual/Religious views

77%

84,440

= 2.7%


1 in 37







While it may feel harder to find love as you get older, the researchers found that the age group with the best odds were 65-74 year-olds, who have a one in 304 chance.

The age group with the toughest odds is 18-24 year-olds, who face chances of meeting the one of just one in 1,024.

The results also revealed stark difference between UK regions – those in more urban areas like London had much better odds (one in 394) than people in rural areas like Wales (one in 649).

Professor Andreas Kyprianou, a researchers in probability theory at the University of Bath, said: 'This is a fascinating piece of research which takes into account the many different variables that can contribute to the odds of finding love.'

Thankfully, the researchers also identified several things you can do to increase your chances of finding love.

Saying yes to after work drinks was found to open up a pool of around 75 new people, increasing your chance of finding someone compatible by 16 per cent.

Actions that improve your chance of finding love hilighted by the researchers included talking to people in the gym, which improved your odds by 15 per cent

And using online dating services was also found to be a good tactic, increasing the number of suitable people you meet by 17 per cent.

Dr Steve Carter, Chief Scientist at eHarmony, said: 'We always encourage singles seeking a relationship to socialise and expand their networks.

'The reality is people meet and fall in love all the time "in the wild".

Meeting people through shared hobbies/societies was found to increase your odds of finding love by 11 per cent

'Unfortunately, most of us are not so skilled at finding the right person and may often repeat unsuccessful strategies.

'This is because as daters, we mostly choose partners based on elements of attraction largely unrelated to long-term success.'

Video

The Crushh Android Dating App analyses texts to see who fancies you. Please click HERE

The comments below have not been moderated.

Dave Jonnaz, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, United Kingdom, 5 years ago

Advert for gyms and on line dating

Cynicalsteve, Coventry, United Kingdom, 5 years ago

Tell.a women you are a millionaire, then you will have.no trouble

Hippychick, Salisbury, United Kingdom, 5 years ago

Well I'm screwed as i cant work and can't go to the gym.

FernandoArdenghi, Buenos Aires, 5 years ago

At the paper "Perceptions of Ideal and Former Partners' Personality and Similarity" The authors had written ".... mismatches in personality are a frequently mentioned cause for relationship break-up. If former partners indeed have dissimilar personalities, our findings underline how difficult it is for many people to select a mate with a similar personality, or, alternatively, how little value individuals put on finding a similar partner in terms of personality. The present study's results, as well as the results found in previous studies (e.g., Eastwick & Finkel, 2008), may be used to educate people, especially singles, about what really matters in long-term relationships, for instance, similarity in personality, instead of complementarity."

FernandoArdenghi, Buenos Aires, 5 years ago

The 3 milestone discoveries of the 2001 - 2010 decade for Theories of Romantic Relationships Development are: I) Several studies showing contraceptive pills users make different mate choices, on average, compared to non-users. "Only short-term but not long-term partner preferences tend to vary with the menstrual cycle" II) People often report partner preferences that are not compatible with their choices in real life. (Behavioural recommender systems or other system that learns your preferences are useless) III) What is important in attracting people to one another may not be important in making couples happy. Compatibility is all about a high level on personality similarity between prospective mates for long term mating with commitment, and not meet other people with similar interests or political views.

Prince SJW, Bethnal Green, United Kingdom, 5 years ago

Pray to All'ah and he will make sure you find the one true love.

Jimmy14, Leamington Spa, United Kingdom, 5 years ago

Please stop banging on about your nonsense!

Steve064, London, United Kingdom, 5 years ago

Improve your odds, get of facebook, get of twitter, in fact put your gadgets down and talk to people. I have worked in the licensing industry for over twenty years. The best place for people to meet and interact well it used to be. Now everyone just has the heads down looking into their mobile devices.

a male, Australia, 5 years ago

"Secret To Finding Love: Get Out And Meet People" There, fixed the headline for you.

lunatic, ulan bator, 5 years ago

Have you seen what category this is in---Science -----really Science.....



Donster79, Birmingham, United Kingdom, 5 years ago

Amazing fact they have uncovered - you might be more attracted to people whom share your hobbies or going to gym (another hobby) WHO KNEW!!!! ................ everyone knew!!!

lunatic, ulan bator, 5 years ago

Also I like Dogging --but can't seem to find a suitable partner to take along with me....Dear D.M what are my odds?

Hippychick, Salisbury, United Kingdom, 5 years ago

Lol

By SHIVALI BEST FOR MAILONLINE 

PUBLISHED: 09:01 AEDT, 4 August 2017| UPDATED: 09:01 AEDT, 4 August 2017