A 'golden' single person rakes in at least 8,000 yuan a month: survey

If you are single with monthly disposable income of 8,000 yuan ($1,180) or more, then you are qualified to be called a "golden single" in China, according to a new survey by Zhenai.com, a Chinese online matchmaking website.

The survey canvassed 100,000 registered members. The final report was built on 4,555 valid responses and came out ahead of November 11, known as "Singles Day" in China.

The day is also celebrated by an online shopping frenzy, in which singles contributes a significant share of the revenue. In terms of buying power, the report says that more than half of the respondents have a monthly disposable income of 3,000 to 5,000 yuan. A third of the respondents can spend 5,000 to 8,000 yuan a month. Only 10 percent of the surveyed fall in the "golden singles" group.

Further analysis shows that most "golden singles" reside in Shanghai, followed by other big cities like Beijing, Shenzhen, Hangzhou and Guangzhou.

The report says that women outnumber men in the "golden singles" group, but single women still prioritize economic status when dating. Of the female respondents, 80 percent accept a monthly salary of 5,000 yuan as a threshold for potential dates, 67 percent hope their future partners earn 5,000 to 10,000 yuan, while 25 percent expect even more.

In comparison, over 80 percent of the male respondents have low or no requirements for their partners' salaries.

The survey also discovered a friendlier attitude toward divorced people, with over 70 percent of male respondents saying they didn't mind dating divorced women.

About 73 percent of the respondents accept a "trial marriage" before signing a marriage certificate. Among men, 80 percent of respondents say it's a necessary step. Women, however, are more hesitant to cohabitate before marriage. Only 60 percent of the surveyed say they accept such move.