A new study challenges some common beliefs about people who remain single throughout their lives, suggesting that certain personality traits might be linked to staying unmarried. In France, being single is no longer unusual—it has become a common part of life for a large portion of the population. According to data from INSEE, France's national statistics office, about 18 million adults were single in 2023, making up nearly a third of the adult population. Among these individuals, a specific group has caught the attention of researchers: lifelong singles, those who have never had a serious or long-term romantic relationship. A study published in late 2024 in the journal Psychological Science offers some insight into this group. The study, led by Julia Stern, a researcher at the University of Bremen in Germany, looked at the personality traits and life satisfaction of over 77,000 Europeans aged 50 and older. It was the first large-scale study to examine lifelong singles across several cultures. Researchers compared the profiles of these individuals with those of people who had been in relationships, whether married or not, using the "Big Five" model. This model outlines five major dimensions of personality widely recognized in modern psychology. The findings indicate that lifelong singles tend to score lower on average in traits such as extroversion, conscientiousness, and openness to new experiences. Five key traits stand out: introversion, low conscientiousness (the ability to organize, persevere, and fulfill commitments), less openness to new experiences, greater sensitivity to negative emotions, and lower overall life satisfaction. According to the researchers, these differences are more pronounced in people who have never had a romantic relationship at all, as opposed to those who have never cohabited or been married. A central question is whether these personality traits cause singlehood or if they are simply associated with it. While the study does not provide a definitive answer, the evidence suggests a "selection effect"—meaning that people with certain traits may find it more challenging to enter relationships, rather than being single changing their personality. For example, an extroverted person might temporarily prefer spending evenings with a partner, but their extroversion would likely return. This implies that personality shapes the romantic journey rather than the other way around. The researchers caution against interpreting statistical correlations as fixed destinies. Their findings mainly apply to Europeans over 50 and may not be generalizable to younger people or other cultures. These traits describe averages, not universal profiles. The study highlights the need for better support for those who experience loneliness due to lifelong singlehood, especially as they grow older. High five to the introverts!