15 Countries With the Most Workplace Romances

It’s common for people to feel attracted to and infatuated with other people around them after spending so many hours with colleagues. Surveys tracking these office relationships show fascinating differences by country. Some workplaces openly support couples, others watch with wary eyes, and plenty quietly gossip.

Here’s a look at where romantic connections at work happen most often, and how each country handles them.

Netherlands

In the Netherlands, 27 percent of respondents said they met a romantic partner at work. Dutch corporate culture often values transparency, which has led many couples to formally inform HR. Colleagues often express curiosity, with 58 percent of global respondents reporting gossip when romance surfaces.

Australia

In Australia, it’s not unusual to hear colleagues reminiscing about couples who first met in the break room. Thirty percent admit to workplace dating, and long tenures inside firms allow bonds to deepen naturally. Most coworkers treat it as ordinary, though managers sometimes navigate subtle worries about favoritism during performance reviews or promotions.

Argentina

Stories from Argentina’s workplaces often center on night-shift camaraderie and shared coffee breaks. Employees report meeting partners on the job, crediting the tight-knit vibe of teams that spend late hours together. Supervisors often handle disclosures discreetly.

Spain

In Spain, around 31 percent of workers have formed relationships in these settings, with shared deadlines and group lunches paving the way. Once a romance becomes visible, some coworkers embrace the news while others keep quiet.

Italy

An Italian design firm once remarked that late project nights are almost legendary for pairing people up. About 32 percent of workers across the country share that they’ve dated someone from the office. While affection stays low-key on site, those connections are rarely frowned upon, as long-term teamwork is highly valued.

United States

American workplaces often juggle clear policies with human realities. Surveys show 34 percent of employees have dated someone they work with, sometimes sparked during demanding projects or travel-heavy roles. Even with strict guidelines, office flirting remains common.

France

In France, surveys reveal that 38 percent have met a partner at work. Some firms even provide a confidential process for couples to disclose relationships. Colleagues may shift their tone around known couples, joking less in meetings or offering subtle privacy, which reflects a culture that normalizes romance without overindulging in gossip.

Germany

Germany stands out with 39 percent of workers having found a partner on the job. This reflects long tenure within firms and close-knit departmental teams. Many German employees cited comfort and predictability in their workplaces as drivers, with some organizations quietly drafting internal guidelines to address potential conflicts.

United Kingdom

One British marketing agency noted how common it is for long-serving colleagues to pair off. Across the country, 41 percent of workers admit to relationships born in the office. These connections often develop over shared coffee breaks and late brainstorming sessions.

China

Workplace romance in China often depends on the industry and region, with many professionals acknowledging relationships despite mixed public opinions. Large firms and long hours make encounters frequent, though couples often stay discreet until managers notice patterns like synchronized vacation requests or shared commutes that spark quiet office talk.

Malaysia

Malaysia mirrors China’s high numbers, with employees reporting workplace romances. Many cite cultural acceptance of close bonds at work. Some companies have developed internal policies to address conflicts that might arise if a relationship ends.

Colombia

Employees in Colombia often describe meeting partners amid high-pressure schedules and crowded offices. Although formal statistics vary, studies consistently note a strong presence of workplace dating. Long commutes leave little outside time to meet new people, so offices double as social hubs.

Philippines

In the Philippines, where a sense of family often shapes office culture, many relationships start over late-night team dinners or group projects. Reports highlight frequent office couples, and HR departments tend to focus on keeping team harmony intact.

Greece

Greek workplaces often show long-standing teams turning into close social circles, and relationships emerge naturally from that closeness. Surveys list Greece among Europe’s highest for office dating. Couples often keep things understated during work hours, though stories of marriages that began during company retreats or team meetings are far from rare.

Brazil

Brazil consistently ranks high, with 48 percent saying they met a partner on the job. Stories circulate about couples first connecting during long collaborative shifts or after-work gatherings. HR departments here often step in only to clarify roles if needed, letting relationships continue as long as professional boundaries remain intact.