Research suggests that only 9.4 per cent of white people would be willing to date someone from a different racial group

Only 5 per cent of under-24s have been on a date with someone from outside their own racial background, according to a survey which found that white people were especially reluctant to do so.

Researchers have said that many dating apps, which tend to rely almost exclusively on looks, ask users to specify a preferred ethnicity, leading people to dismiss entire ethnic groups when considering who to date.

The YouGov survey of 5,000 people, conducted for a Channel 4 documentary Is Love Racist? The Dating Game, found that only 9.4 per cent of white people would be willing to date someone from a different racial group. In comparison, 46.4 per cent of black people, 56.1 per cent of south Asian people, 69.1 per cent