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Sexual Frequency and Activity Patterns
General Population Trends
37%
U.S. adults (18-64) having sex weekly in 2024
55%
Same demographic in 1990 (down 18%)
50%
Adults 18-44 having sex weekly
-9
Fewer sexual encounters per year (2010s vs 1990s)
Married Adults Weekly Sex (1996-2008)
59%
vs
Married Adults Weekly Sex (2010-2024)
49%
Age-Based Frequency (times per year)
Ages 18-29
~112 times/year
Ages 30-39
~86 times/year
Ages 40-49
~69 times/year
Ages 60+
~20 times/year
💡 Did You Know?
31.9% of adults aged 70+ report being sexually active, demonstrating that intimacy remains important throughout the lifespan.
Gender & Age Breakdown (monthly frequency)
| Age Group | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 5 times | 6 times |
| 25-34 | 7 times | 8 times |
| 35-44 | 4 times | 4 times |
| 45-54 | 6 times | 6 times |
| 55-64 | 1.5 times | 0.3 times |
Relationship Status Impact
6x
Average monthly frequency for couples
2x
Average monthly frequency for singles
| Age Group | Married (monthly) | Unmarried (monthly) |
|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 11 times | 7 times |
| 25-34 | 9 times | 6 times |
- Young adults living with partners dropped from 42% (2014) to 32% (2024)
LGBTQ+ Identification and Demographics
Overall Identification Rates
LGBTQ+ Identification 2012
3.5%
→
LGBTQ+ Identification 2024
9.3%
Nearly triple the rate in just 12 years
Generational Breakdown
Gen Z (born 1997-2006)
22.7%
Millennials
12.0%
Generation X
4.8%
Baby Boomers
1.8%
Silent Generation
1.8%
Gender Differences by Generation
| Generation | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 10% | 6% |
| Gen Z | 31% | 12% |
| Millennials | 18% | 9% |
- 4.1% of Gen Z identify as transgender (vs 1.7% of millennials)
- 1.3% of U.S. adults overall identify as transgender
Sexual Orientation Composition
56%
Identify as bisexual
21%
Identify as gay
15%
Identify as lesbian
14%
Identify as transgender
- 59% of Gen Z LGBTQ+ identify as bisexual (vs 11% of Silent Generation)
- 11% of urban residents identify as LGBTQ+ (vs 7% rural)
- 67% of Americans believe homosexuality should be accepted (up from 50% in 2007)
Teen and Young Adult Sexual Behavior
Sexual Activity Prevalence
High Schoolers Ever Had Sex (Early 1990s)
53%
→
High Schoolers Ever Had Sex (2017)
39%
- 40% of 17-year-old males reported vaginal intercourse in the past year
- Only 27% reported vaginal intercourse in the past 90 days
- 27% of Americans aged 18-24 report not having sex at all
Abstinence Trends
30.9%
Young men 18-24 with no sex in past year (2018)
18.9%
Same demographic in 2000
📊 Notable Shift
The share of young adults (20-24) with no sexual partners since age 18 more than doubled from 6% (those born in the 1960s) to 15% (those born in the 1990s).
Sexual Education & Online Behavior
- 67.5% of adolescents feel they have enough sexual health information
- Yet 53% are uncertain about comprehensive knowledge
- 36.5% cite friends as their primary source of sexual health information
⚠️ 33% of boys aged 9-12 reported online sexual interactions in 2024, with 30% reporting interactions with someone believed to be an adult.
STI and Sexual Health Statistics
Overall STI Burden (2024)
2.2M
Cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis
-9%
Decline from 2023 (3rd consecutive year)
- Despite recent declines, STI rates remain 13% higher than a decade ago
Specific Infection Trends (2024)
| Infection | Change | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chlamydia | ↓ 8% | Most common reportable infection |
| Gonorrhea | ↓ 10% | 3rd consecutive year of decline |
| Primary/Secondary Syphilis | ↓ 22% | After years of increases |
| Congenital Syphilis | ↑ 2% | ~4,000 cases; 12th year of increase |
⚠️ Congenital syphilis is 700% higher than a decade ago, making it a critical public health concern.
Demographic Disparities
- MSM (men who have sex with men) accounted for about half of gonorrhea cases in 2023
- Women aged 20-29 experienced the steepest gonorrhea declines (14.6% to 19.2%)
- Southern U.S. states account for over 60% of top 25 metro areas with highest STI rates
Testing and Prevention
💊 Contributing Factors to Recent Declines
Doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (doxy PEP), at-home STI tests, and improved point-of-care testing have all contributed to increased access and declining rates.
- 85.6% of women of reproductive age engaged in unprotected sex in a recent study
Sexual Satisfaction and Health Outcomes
Orgasm and Satisfaction Gaps
Men reporting partner orgasm
85%
vs
Women reporting own orgasm
64%
- Men are more likely to orgasm when sex includes vaginal intercourse
- Women are more likely to orgasm when engaging in variety of sex acts including oral sex
- More than 40 combinations of sexual activity described at adults' most recent sexual event
Mental Health Correlations
24%
Reduction in depression odds for weekly sex
1-2x
Optimal frequency per week for mental health
- LGBTQ+ high school students have ACE score of 3.0 vs 1.8 for cisgender-heterosexual peers
- 46.1% of gender minorities reported 4+ adverse childhood experiences (vs 15.4% cishet students)
Relationship Dynamics
89%
Report monogamous relationships
4%
Report open relationships
8%
Report "supposedly monogamous"
- LGBTQ+ individuals are less likely to report monogamy and more likely to report open relationships
Key Takeaways
Sexual health trends in 2026 reveal significant shifts: declining sexual frequency across age groups, rising LGBTQ+ identification especially among younger generations, and mixed progress on STI prevention. While overall STI rates are declining for the third consecutive year, congenital syphilis remains a critical concern. Mental health correlations underscore the importance of healthy sexual relationships, with regular intimacy associated with reduced depression risk. As social dynamics continue to evolve, comprehensive sexual health education and accessible healthcare remain essential priorities.
Sexual Behavior and Social Trends
Premarital Sex Patterns
Social Media and Sexual Health
International Context
Healthcare Access Challenges