Sexual activity in the US falls to its lowest level in decades

Sexual activity among American adults reached its lowest level in decades in 2024, with just 37% of people aged 18 to 64 reporting having sex at least once a week, according to the Institute for Family Studies' (IFS) General Social Survey.

The decline is most pronounced among young people: 24% of 18- to 29-year-olds said they had not had sex in the past year, double the number in 2010. Moreover, the gap between married and single people has narrowed: while married people still have more sex, the frequency of sex has also decreased from 59% in 1996–2008 to 49% in 2010–2024.

What causes cessation of sexual activity?

Experts point to multiple causes behind this trend, which they describe as a "sex recession": the rise of screens and social media, increased social isolation, delayed development of stable relationships, financial stress, and emotional exhaustion.

Therapists warn that a lack of physical and emotional intimacy negatively impacts mental health, well-being, and a couple's life. They recommend prioritizing connection, establishing shared routines, and reducing reliance on electronic devices during intimate moments.

Other research suggests that young people are postponing traditional milestones such as marriage or cohabitation. According to Infobae, between 2008 and 2021, the percentage of young men who reported not having had sexual relations in the last year increased from 10 % to 24 %, and in women from 8 % to 13 %. This trend is also attributed to the increase in prolonged singleness and less time spent socializing in person.

The outlook is worsened by the "friendship recession": in the US, the percentage of adults with more than 10 close friends fell from 33% in 1990 to 13% in 2021. Loneliness, considered a public health problem, is linked to the weakening of social networks and the impact on intimate lives.

In short, the United States is experiencing a sexual recession that reflects profound transformations in human interactions, technology, social structures, and personal priorities, far removed from the cultural image of hyperactive sexuality.

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Sources:

• EFE
• Infobae