The number of celibate young Americans has more than doubled in the last 15 years, according to a recent survey by the Institute for Family Studies. The study, which cites data from the General Social Survey, found that the percentage of 18-29-year-olds reporting celibacy for an entire year has surged from 12% in 2010 to 24% in 2024, signaling a significant ‘sex recession’ in the United States.
Despite this decline, the report highlights that married adults tend to report more frequent sexual activity than their single counterparts, although even they have experienced a steady decrease over the past few decades. Weekly sexual activity among adults aged 18-64 has dropped from 55% in 1990 to 37% in 2024, as noted by the IFS.
The study attributes the ‘sex recession’ to the increasing prevalence of digital technology, which has significantly reduced social interaction and the time couples spend together. The rise of smartphones, computers, and streaming platforms has been identified as a major contributing factor, with young adults now spending less than half as much time with friends as they did in 2010. In 2024, young adults spent just 5.1 hours a week with friends, compared to 12.8 hours in 2010, according to the report.
Interestingly, similar trends have been observed in other countries, such as France. Research published last November noted that a quarter of all 18-29-year-olds in the country reported having no sexual relations at all over the past year. These findings suggest a broader global trend rather than an isolated issue within the United States.