Key facts
- Singapore's Government Technology Agency (GovTech) launched a pilot dating platform named FirstDate.
- FirstDate is open to unmarried public officers aged 21 to 35.
- The platform uses the Gale-Shapley stable marriage algorithm to pair users.
- Users complete a questionnaire about their interests, habits, values, and preferences.
- Matches are presented one at a time, with a compatibility score and personal note.
- The initiative aims to address declining marriage rates and a record-low total fertility rate in Singapore.
Singapore's Government Technology Agency (GovTech) has launched a pilot dating platform, FirstDate, designed to help public officers find matches using a mathematical algorithm. The platform, aimed at individuals aged 21 to 35 who are not married, seeks to offer a more considered approach to online dating by presenting users with one potential match at a time, based on a detailed questionnaire.
The initiative, which began as an idea at a GovTech hackathon, utilizes the Gale-Shapley stable marriage algorithm, developed over 60 years ago. This algorithm is designed to find "stable" matches by having participants rank their preferences. Users sign in with Singpass and complete a survey covering interests, habits, values, and deal-breakers. Matches are presented with a compatibility score and a personal note, and users have three days to accept.
FirstDate's launch comes amid concerns over declining marriage rates and a record-low total fertility rate in Singapore. The platform's approach, emphasizing shared values and fewer matches, is intended to encourage users to give each introduction more consideration, contrasting with the perceived "swipe fatigue" of other dating apps. The pilot is being tested across the public service, with applications closing on October 5.