Matchmakers are the traditional, off-line, personal touch professionals that help singles to find their soulmates, for a hefty fee. Industry sources estimate that there are 2,000+ professional matchmakers now operating in the United States, and Marketdata’s research finds that there are thousands more operating in China, Japan, South Korea, India, and Europe.
Matchmaking is still primarily a mom & pop business, with lots of independent female operators, both in the U.S. and abroad. The market is easy to enter, requiring minimal investment and no licenses or certifications, as most matchmakers rely on intuition based on their personal experience in making matches.
Top Things to Know About the Matchmaking Industry
- How much the matchmaking industry is worth: This profession is estimated to be worth $1.2 to $1.5 billion globally, with nearly 40% of the market located in the United States. Revenues probably slid at least 25%, maybe more, in 2020, but have rebounded since then. Industry trackers say that 73% of matchmakers were meeting clients virtually during the pandemic.
- Matchmaking market outlook: Marketdata forecasts 3.8% average annual growth in the international matchmaking market’s revenues, from a range of $1.28-$1.57 billion in 2023 to a range of $1.48-$1.83 billion by 2027.
- Very competitive market: More matchmakers have entered the profession lately, seeing the potential benefits of being their own boss and working from home. The new, younger matchmakers are offering services at lower prices than the long-established, nationally known ones.
- Number of matchmakers: Marketdata estimates that there are 12,000+ matchmakers worldwide, although many in Asia are part-time family members who work informally.
- Country potentials: The United States market represents the largest share of the global market and it’s mature. Moderate annual revenue growth of 5.5% is forecast here. The strongest growth markets include China, the United Kingdom, Canada, and South Korea. Obviously, China has one of the fastest-growing economies, and a large population, which is becoming more affluent.
Where to Learn More
To find out more about the matchmaking industry, be sure to read the newly published report The International Matchmaking Market: Finding Love, for a Price by Marketdata, which discusses the U.S. vs. global markets, matchmaking market statistics, how matchmakers operate their businesses, and profiles of many top U.S. independent matchmakers.
About the Author: John LaRosa is the President of Marketdata LLC and is the author of 100+ industry and market studies. His research appears in top media outlets including ABC, CNN, Fox, Forbes, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and a variety of trade journals.
