Can someone feel lonely while being in a loving relationship? According to a new nationwide survey, the answer is yes. While 92% of Indians describe themselves as happy in their current relationships, 57% admit they still experience loneliness, revealing a growing emotional gap in modern partnerships.
The survey, conducted by IPSOS for dating platform Gleeden among 1,510 respondents across major Indian cities, suggests that relationship satisfaction and emotional fulfilment are no longer the same. Couples may share homes, responsibilities and routines, yet many continue to struggle with feeling emotionally disconnected from their partners.
Emotional connection, not love, is what many couples are missing
One of the study’s biggest findings is that 51% of respondents identified a lack of emotional connection as the biggest missing element in their relationships. This was followed by better communication (44%), more excitement and thrill (42%), and greater physical intimacy (38%).
Interestingly, 84% of participants said they were sexually satisfied, yet only 25% believed nothing was missing from their relationship. The findings suggest that physical intimacy alone is not enough to create emotional fulfilment.
Busy lives and digital distractions widen the emotional gap
The survey found that work-life imbalance and lack of quality time (33%) remain the biggest challenges facing couples today. Unrealistic expectations shaped by movies and social media were cited by 29% of respondents, while digital distractions and emotional disconnect continue to strain relationships.
Experts believe that although couples spend more time connected through technology, meaningful conversations and emotional presence are becoming increasingly rare.
Many admit to thinking about relationships outside their own
The report also revealed that 46% of respondents frequently think about exploring emotional or romantic connections outside their current relationship. Among Gen X respondents, that figure rises to 54%. However, these thoughts do not necessarily translate into infidelity, but instead reflect unmet emotional needs.
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Changing attitudes towards fidelity were also highlighted. Nearly half of those surveyed said emotional cheating is more painful than physical infidelity, while 64% admitted to having been emotionally or physically unfaithful at some point. At the same time, overall infidelity has reportedly declined by 16% compared to 2023.
Indians still believe in commitment
Despite these challenges, the survey found that most Indians continue to value long-term relationships. Around 62% said they would forgive a partner’s infidelity if it was a genuine one-time mistake, while 45% believed a relationship crisis could sometimes help rebuild emotional intimacy. However, 47% still considered infidelity a complete dealbreaker.
Commenting on the findings, Sybil Shiddell, Country Manager, Gleeden India, said modern relationships require much more than commitment.
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“Many couples continue to share their lives, responsibilities and routines, yet silently struggle with loneliness because their emotional needs remain unaddressed. Modern relationships require far more than commitment; they demand communication, vulnerability and genuine emotional presence.”
The survey highlights a growing reality of modern relationships—being together does not always guarantee emotional closeness. As expectations around love continue to evolve, experts say communication, empathy and emotional availability may matter just as much as commitment itself.
FAQs
Why do many people feel lonely even in happy relationships?
Experts say emotional loneliness often stems from a lack of meaningful communication, emotional connection and quality time, even when couples are otherwise satisfied with their relationship.
What did the new relationship survey reveal?
The IPSOS survey for Gleeden found that while 92% of Indians say they are happy in their relationships, 57% still experience loneliness, with many citing emotional disconnect as the biggest missing element.
