A graph with a steep upward red arrow labeled "Sexual Inactivity" next to a group of silhouetted young adults looking disconnected and isolated on a dark blue background.
The Doubling of Sexual Inactivity Among Young Adults in the US
Recent data reveals a striking trend in American society: sexual inactivity among young adults has doubled in just 14 years. According to the General Social Survey (GSS), the proportion of 18-to-29-year-olds who reported having no sex in the past year increased dramatically from 12% in 2010 to approximately 24% by 2024.
The Broader Context
This trend is part of a larger decline in sexual activity across various age groups. In 1990, 55% of adults aged 18-64 reported engaging in weekly sexual activity. By 2024, this figure had decreased to 37%, indicating a significant shift in sexual behavior patterns across the population.
Contributing Factors
Several interconnected factors appear to be driving this decline in sexual activity among young adults:
Digital Engagement and Social Isolation
The proliferation of smartphones and social media has fundamentally altered social interactions. Between 2010 and 2019, the average time young adults spent with friends each week fell by nearly 50%, from 12.8 hours to just over 5 hours by 2024. This reduction in face-to-face interaction has likely contributed to fewer opportunities for sexual encounters and relationship formation.
Delayed Partnering
There has been a notable decrease in young adults living with partners. Between 2014 and 2024, the share of 18-to-29-year-olds cohabiting, either married or unmarried, dropped from 42% to 32%. This decline in partnered living arrangements directly correlates with reduced sexual activity.
Economic and Social Pressures
Economic factors, including student debt, housing costs, and employment instability, may be contributing to delayed relationship formation and reduced sexual activity. Additionally, changing social norms and increased use of digital entertainment alternatives may be influencing sexual behavior patterns.
Implications and Future Considerations
This significant increase in sexual inactivity among young adults has potential implications for public health, relationship dynamics, and societal structures. The trend warrants continued research to better understand its underlying causes and potential long-term consequences for individual well-being and social development.
The doubling of sexual inactivity rates in such a short timeframe represents a notable shift in American social behavior, highlighting the complex interplay between technology, economics, and social norms in shaping intimate relationships among young adults.
The prompt for this was: TIL that sexual inactivity among young adults in the US has doubled in just 14 years. In 2010, 12% of 18-to-29-year-olds reported having no sex in the past year; by 2024, that figure had risen to roughly 24%.
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