AUSSIES are not tightening their belts when it comes to spending on romance, despite rising costs of living.

New research by online dating site, eHarmony, revealing that across the nation Aussies are spending a staggering $25.7 billion per year on dates.

The eHarmony Cost of Love report found that Australian daters spend an average $144.40 on 41 dates over the course of a year, totalling a hefty $5,913 - 13.5% of the average Aussie pay packet.

The main costs associated with dating are meals ($42), activities ($30) like movie or event tickets, and drinks ($27);

Aussies also spend an average $31 on pre-date primping, including new clothing, shoes or getting their hair done.

Those in the honeymoon stage of a relationship (dating for less than one year) are the biggest spenders, running up a bill of $170 per date which equates to $12,439 annually (vs. those in a relationship for 1-5 years spending $140 per date or $5,979 per year).

Aussie singles are the most frugal daters - spending $135 per date and $3,773 annually.

And according to the study the cost of love isn't fairly distributed, with men splashing out nearly twice as much as women ($8,203 vs $4,185) on dates every year.