About the study
AirSmile commissioned an independent panel of 1002 Australians to gauge what they believe are the most important physical factors in a romantic partner. Respondents were asked to select the top three physical attributes from a list of seven that they believe are most important when choosing a romantic partner.
The attributes listed include:
1. Oral hygiene or straight, white teeth
2. Height
3. Hair
4. Skin condition
5. Weight
6. Toned or fit
7. Symmetrical and well-balanced face
The survey respondents cover a geographical and population spread that is reflective of the Australian population.
What are the top three physical factors that are important to Australians when choosing a romantic partner?
AirSmile found that the top three factors important to the respondent pool are dental, height and weight. Dental overwhelmingly came out on top, with 75 per cent of respondents choosing this factor. In second place, 52 per cent of respondents consider a person’s weight, followed by 47 per cent valuing a romantic partner’s height.
The condition of their romantic partner’s skin is a top factor for 36 per cent of respondents. This compares with 33 per cent that list hair as an important physical attribute. Just under a third of respondents (31 per cent) see a toned body or physical fitness as a top priority, while 27 per cent look for a symmetrical and well-balanced face, which is known to increase attractiveness.
The top 3 physical factors when choosing a romantic partner. By sex.
AirSmile analysed how priorities between men and women differed across the seven physical attributes. The survey found both sexes consider good oral hygiene, height and weight as the top three most important physical attributes in a romantic partner, however the importance placed on each of these factors differs across the groups. Approximately 82 per cent of women find good oral hygiene and good teeth as one of the top three physical attributes in a partner. This compares with just 68 per cent of men who indicated the same. Females are also considerably more concerned with a partner’s height: more than half (54 per cent) indicated that height is a top-three factor in a prospective partner, while only 40 per cent of men care for their date’s height as much.
Dental, height and weight came out on top for men and women.
The top 3 physical factors when choosing a romantic partner. By age.
Across all age demographics, dental came out as the top physical attribute, chosen by three quarters of respondents. Half of under-35s take height into consideration as a top-three factor when choosing a romantic partner, however this is the same for smaller proportions of older generations (44 per cent of 35-54-year-olds and 47 per cent of over-55s). Similarly, more under-35s value good hair – at 42 per cent – than any other age group, especially over-55s (chosen by 28 per cent). Over-55s, however, value weight more than any other age group, at 58 per cent.
8-34-year-olds
Three in four under-35s respondents (74%) said oral hygiene is a top-three physical factor.
In addition:
- 50% said height
- 42% said hair
- 41% said weight
- 35% said toned/fit
- 34% said skin condition
- 25% said a symmetrical and well-balanced face
35-54-year-olds
Three in four (76%) of respondents aged 35-54 indicated oral hygiene is a top-three physical factor.
In addition:
- 44% said height
- 53% said weight
- 37% said skin condition
- 31% said hair
- 31% said symmetrical and well-balanced face
- 27% said toned/fit
Over-55s
Three in four (73%) over-55s indicated that oral hygiene is a top-three physical factor.
In addition:
- 58% said weight
- 47% said height
- 35% said skin condition
- 32% said toned/fit
- 28% said hair
- 26% said symmetrical and well-balanced face
What are Australians’ first impressions of people who have straight white teeth in good condition?
Respondents were asked to select their top first impression of people who have straight, white teeth in good condition. They were asked to choose from a selection of seven
options:
1. High achiever
2. Happy
3. High self-esteem
4. Well-groomed
5. Hygienic / clean
6. Good genes
7. Friendly and agreeable
AirSmile found that the highest proportion of respondents perceive individuals with great teeth as hygienic (30 per cent) and well-groomed (24 per cent).
Approximately 13 per cent of respondents perceive a healthy smile to convey a happy person, while 12 per cent attributed straight, white teeth to high self-esteem. Only 6 per cent of respondents believe that the condition of a person’s teeth is linked to good genetics, whereas 5 per cent believe there is a correlation between healthy teeth and high achievements. Moreover, only 5 per cent of respondents consider an individual, at first instance, as friendly and agreeable if they have straight, white teeth.
What are Australians’ first impressions of people who have straight white teeth in good condition?
By sex and age.
AirSmile analysed how first impressions of individuals with straight, white teeth in good condition varies between sexes. Having good hygiene and being wellgroomed and happy were the most popular first impressions across both sexes. More women (32 per cent) than men (28 per cent), however, reported that they would consider an individual with straight, white teeth as having good hygiene at first instance. Similarly, 29 per cent of women associate a healthy smile with being well-groomed as a first impression, compared with just 19 per cent of men. However, men are more likely than women to perceive a person with good teeth as happy: 17 per cent of men noted that they would attribute straight, white teeth to overall levels of happiness compared with just 9 per cent of women.
When analysing responses across age groups, AirSmile found a higher proportion of over-55s (35 per cent) consider an individual with straight, white teeth as having good hygiene, than under-35s (26 per cent) and 35- to-54-year-olds (26 per cent). In contrast, a higher proportion of under-35s perceive a healthy smile, at first instance, to convey high self-esteem and as happy (chosen by 18 per cent and 14 per cent respectively). This compares with just 11 per cent and 7 per cent, respectively, of over-55s who indicated the same.
