Americans Having Less Sex: The Pleasure Recession

Americans are having less sex than ever before – a trend so pronounced that it’s been dubbed a “sex recession,” or more pointedly, a pleasure recession. Surveys and studies confirm a stark decline in intimacy: in 1990, 55% of adults (ages 18–64) reported having sex weekly, but by 2024 that figure had plummeted to just 37%. In other words, Americans are having less sex now than at any time in recent memory.

This isn’t just a quirky statistic or a temporary blip from the pandemic; it appears to be a sustained decline with deep cultural roots. In a world hyper-connected by the internet, the most intimate form of connection is faltering. Why is this happening, and what does it mean for our society and the next generation’s fight to build happy, connected lives? Let’s explore the causes, the generational shifts, and whether we are truly in a “sex recession” – and why it matters.

Why Are Americans Having Less Sex Than Ever?

There is no single cause behind this decline. Rather, experts say it’s a perfect storm of social, technological, and economic shifts changing how adults form relationships and engage in intimacy. Why Americans are having less sex comes down to several key factors:

Fewer Steady Relationships

Fewer Americans are married or in long-term partnerships today than in previous generations. Marriage rates have fallen, and many young adults are single or living alone. In 2024, only 32% of 18–29-year-olds lived with a romantic partner, down from 42% just a decade earlier. With more people flying solo without a spouse or steady partner, there are simply fewer opportunities for regular sex.

Digital Distractions and Less Social Time

Americans now spend huge chunks of time on smartphones, streaming TV, social media, and computer games – often at the expense of in-person socializing. Young people, especially, are hanging out with friends less; between 2010 and 2019, the average time young adults spent with friends in a given week fell by nearly 50% (from ~12.8 hours to 6.5). That’s before the pandemic pushed it even lower.

With much of life now lived online, people have less time and energy for dating or meeting new partners in the real world. It’s hard to flirt or form a relationship when everyone is at home binging Netflix or gaming late into the night. In short, our internet and digital entertainment habits may be coming at the cost of real-life intimacy and fun.

Easy Access to Pornography as an Outlet

High-speed internet has made porn and online pornography ubiquitous and private. Some experts suggest that for many (especially young men), masturbation with porn has become a substitute for pursuing a real sexual partner. It’s instant gratification with no effort – but also no human connection.

Overuse of porn can diminish one’s drive to seek a partner and can create unrealistic expectations about sexual encounters. When a virtual experience is always available, some people may become less interested in the complications of dating and real sex. While porn alone isn’t “forcing” anyone into celibacy, its prevalence is certainly a new factor in how Americans’ sexual lives have changed from previous generations.

Changing Dating Culture and Attitudes

Modern dating isn’t as straightforward as it used to be. Dating apps give theoretically limitless choices, yet many young people find the experience frustrating or alienating. Endless swiping can lead to superficial interactions and ghosting, leaving singles burned out. The idea of meeting someone “organically” has been replaced by algorithms, which doesn’t always lead to lasting relationships.

Moreover, social norms around sex and courtship have shifted. The post-#MeToo era has brought crucial awareness to consent and combating sexual harassment, but it has also introduced new anxieties. Some young men, for example, say they’re afraid to initiate flirting or ask someone out, worried about coming off as creepy or crossing boundaries. On campuses and workplaces, people tread carefully to avoid any misstep that could be misconstrued – a positive development for safety, yet it might unintentionally make dating feel like walking a tightrope of dos and don’ts.

Combined with a general trend of “talking” via text more than engaging in person, it’s no wonder many are struggling to connect. The result is a dating scene that a lot of young adults describe as exhausting or “basically impossible.”

Economic Stress and Lifestyle Changes

Beyond culture and tech, practical life factors play a role. Many are facing economic challenges – juggling student debt, gig-economy jobs, high rents, or moving back in with parents to save money. It’s hard to wine and dine a date (let alone move in with one) if you’re broke or living in your childhood bedroom.

Financial stress and long work hours leave people tired and anxious, not exactly in the mood for romance. Some couples are afraid to have children they can’t afford, and that caution can spill over into delaying marriage or avoiding sex.

Fear of unintended pregnancy is another worry – especially since access to abortion has been tightened in parts of America recently. Knowing that a moment of passion could lead to a life-changing responsibility (in a state where abortion is restricted) might make some individuals think twice about casual sex. All these life pressures mean less dating, less mating, and less sex.

Less Partying, Less Hooking Up

Today’s youth culture is in some ways more cautious and structured than that of their parents. Studies have noted that teens and young adults now are less likely to drink alcohol, party, or go on casual dates compared to those in decades past. In one sense, this is positive (fewer drunk driving incidents, for example), but it also means there are fewer social mixers and wild nights where young people might meet and hook up.

The stereotypical college experiences of the past – dorm parties, spring breaks, etc. – have toned down. Young adults are still having fun, but it might be via online hangouts or gaming sessions rather than flirtatious nights out. With a more risk-averse generation focusing on academics or personal hobbies, opportunities for spontaneous sexual encounters have dwindled.

Health and Emotional Factors

Mental health trends are part of the story. Anxiety and depression have risen, especially among Gen Z, and these issues can lower libido. Medications for these conditions also reduce sexual desire or make social interaction difficult. Someone struggling with panic or low self-esteem may avoid dating. There’s also more acceptance of asexuality and low sexual desire as normal.

Some people, across all ages, simply feel fine without sex. Others choose abstinence until finding the right partner or moment. Americans are having less sex partly because it’s easier to say no without stigma. Chronic health problems, exhaustion, and political stress also weigh heavily. When the news feels overwhelming, intimacy can fall lower on the list.

Even marriage is no safeguard. Stress, digital distraction, and modern pressures are reducing how often couples connect. Married adults having weekly sex dropped from 59% in the 1990s to 49% by the 2010s. This shows the sex recession is broad, not just a youth issue.

Americans now spend less time dating, marrying, or forming families. This naturally reduces sexual activity. Culture, technology, and economics all play a role. The dream of nonstop sexual liberation has collided with reality. People have less time, fewer partners, and often less drive. It’s a new form of social recession. Americans still want intimacy, but structural changes keep pushing it aside.

Why Are Gen Z Having Less Sex?

Amid this overall decline, one group stands out: Gen Z. The youngest adults are at the leading edge of this “sex recession.” In fact, you could call it Gen Z’s sex recession – their generation is having significantly less sex than previous generations did at the same age. Surveys show young adults today are starting their sex lives later and having fewer partners on average than those who came before. Why is Gen Z having less sex? Many of the causes are the same as above, but intensified by the environment Gen Z grew up in:

Born Digital, Raised on Screens

Gen Z is the first generation to have had the internet, smartphones, and social media from childhood. They don’t know a world before WiFi. This has advantages, but it also means much of their socialization happened online instead of at malls, movies, or dates. Researchers like psychologist Jean Twenge have noted that younger generations are having less sex than their predecessors in part because of a cohort effect – basically, each new generation is interacting differently.

For Gen Z, the digital world often substitutes for physical hangouts. They might spend Friday night on TikTok or Xbox Live with friends, rather than at a party or on a date. This digital immersion can stunt the development of face-to-face flirting and relationship skills. As one observer put it, the early 2010s “Great Rewiring” of life by smartphones yielded a cohort of teens who are less socially and sexually engaged in person. In college, Gen Z’s idea of “hanging out” might be a group chat or a FaceTime call, which doesn’t exactly lead to making out in the backseat of a car. By the time they reach adulthood, a lot of Gen Z simply have less experience dating and less comfort with in-person intimacy than older generations had at the same age.

Mental Health and Anxiety

Along with the digital era came a documented rise in young adult mental health issues – especially anxiety and depression. Gen Z reports higher levels of stress and social anxiety, which can be huge barriers to dating and sex. If you’re anxious about everything, the vulnerability of romance or the possibility of rejection can feel overwhelming.

Some young people describe themselves as “touch-starved” yet afraid of intimacy at the same time. It’s a tough paradox: they crave connection, but the skills and confidence to get it haven’t been built up. This generation is very aware of mental health and often prioritizes self-care and personal boundaries – which is healthy, but it might also mean avoiding potentially stressful dating scenes.

In an age of trigger warnings and fear of awkward encounters, it can feel safer to stay home and stream movies or play games than to go out on a nervy first date. The result is a lot of young people who end up lonely or inexperienced not by deliberate choice, but by inertia and fear.

Changing Values and Priorities

Some Gen Z individuals will tell you that they’re simply choosing to focus on things other than sex. Surveys suggest that Gen Z is pragmatic and goal-oriented, often prioritizing education, career, or creative projects. They saw Millennials before them struggle in the job market or with debt, so they may double down on work and personal development. Casual sex or dating around might rank lower on their priority list.

Additionally, social progress has made it more acceptable for individuals to be open about their sexuality spectrum. A noticeable share of Gen Z embraces identities such as asexual, demisexual (needing strong emotional connection for attraction), or otherwise not keen on frequent sexual activity. For those individuals, having less sex isn’t a problem at all – it’s a personal identity or conscious choice.

Even among those who do want romance, many prefer “quality over quantity.” They might be more selective, holding out for a relationship that feels right rather than hooking up just because everyone else is. (As a contrast, older generations often felt more pressure to date and marry young; Gen Z feels free to take their time.)

The Pandemic Effect

It’s impossible to talk about Gen Z’s formative years without mentioning COVID-19. The pandemic hit just as many Gen Zers were starting college, key social and dating years. Lockdowns and remote classes meant missing out on many traditional coming-of-age experiences.

A chunk of Gen Z’s social life went fully virtual for a year or more. This surely played a part in delaying some first relationships or sexual experiences. By the time things opened up, a lot of young people felt even more socially rusty. Some never quite got back into the dating groove. While all ages were affected by the pandemic, Gen Z had it at a crucial life stage, potentially amplifying their generation’s trend of less sex.

Even as life returns to normal, some habits stick – if you got used to staying in, maybe you continue to do so. Young adults in 2023 are reporting even less sex than those during the pandemic lockdowns, according to recent data, suggesting that whatever was brewing before COVID has resumed its course.

Gen Z’s sex recession stems from a confluence of digital lifestyle, cautious mindset, and altered values. This doesn’t mean every Gen Z person is shunning sex – of course not. But on the whole, young adults today report fewer sexual encounters and partnerships. By the numbers, the sexlessness rate (no sex in the last year) among Americans aged 18–29 roughly doubled from about 12% in 2010 to 24% in 2024, according to studies. That is a massive generational shift unfolding in real time. Whether one views it as a worrying lack of connection or simply a new way young people are choosing to live, it’s certainly a defining feature of Gen Z’s coming-of-age. And it raises the question: Is sexlessness on the rise overall? Let’s take a closer look.

Is Sexlessness on the Rise?

Yes, sexlessness is rising in America. It means going a year or more without sex. This shift is part of the wider “pleasure recession.” It’s strongest among younger adults but affects people across many age groups.

Among 18–29-year-olds, sexlessness doubled after 2010. Around 12–15% reported no sex then, compared to about 24% today. One in four young adults now goes a year without intimacy. The post-2010 jump stands out as the sharpest change in recent sexual behavior.

Older adults also report more sexless stretches, though the increase is smaller. Health challenges and partner loss are expected factors, but even middle-aged groups report less intimacy. Nationally, 23% of adults had no sex in 2018, the highest share since the 1980s. Post-pandemic numbers suggest this level remains high or higher.

A gender gap adds complexity. Young men are much more likely to be sexless than young women. By the late 2010s, 28% of men under 30 reported no sex in the past year, compared to 18% of women. This shows men are struggling more to find partners, while women’s activity levels remain steadier.

Why the difference? Women often date slightly older men, leaving some younger men without partners. Many men also substitute porn or gaming for real-life dating. Women, on average, still maintain stronger social connections and opportunities.

Male sexlessness has grown enough to spark cultural debates about incels and dating apps. But women are not having more sex either; their rates are steady or even lower. Both genders are less sexually active, with men showing the steeper decline. Even married men report longer sexless periods, often tied to stress, health, or digital distractions in the bedroom.

America’s Growing Sex Drought

We are seeing a broad-based increase in the number of people who aren’t engaging in sexual intimacy, whether by choice, circumstance, or a bit of both. To put it in context, a sexless year for a healthy young adult would once have seemed atypical enough to raise eyebrows; now it’s common. This has fueled talk in media and academia about a generation possibly “giving up” on sex, or at least struggling to connect in that way. It’s a dramatic social change, and one that has far-reaching implications.

Yet, it’s important to add nuance: sexlessness itself is not inherently a problem if someone is content with it. Plenty of people happily live without sex for stretches of time or until they find the right person. The concern is that much of this rise might be involuntary – people want connection but aren’t finding it, or they feel forced into celibacy by external factors (like not meeting anyone, or mental health hurdles, etc.).

The difference between chosen celibacy and lonely celibacy is huge. Surveys suggest loneliness is high among Gen Z and Millennials, indicating that the drop in sex might be part of a larger story of disconnection and isolation. In other words, the sex recession matters not because sex itself is everything, but because it’s a canary in the coal mine for social well-being. Which leads to the final question:

Are We in a Sex Recession?

By all indications, yes – we are in a “sex recession.” The term might sound insolent, but it captures a real, measurable decline in sexual activity akin to an economic downturn in the realm of intimacy. This isn’t just media hype. The numbers we’ve discussed (historic lows in weekly sex, rising sexlessness, fewer partnerships) signal a significant shift in American behavior and attitudes. When something once as common as sex becomes markedly less common across a population, it warrants being called a recession of sorts. And like an economic recession, it has causes and consequences that society needs to grapple with.

To put the current situation in perspective, consider the trajectory: The mid-20th century saw a comparative boom in sexual openness – the post-1960s “sexual revolution” era when premarital sex lost much of its stigma and young adults were having sex at earlier ages with more partners than their parents or grandparents did. That trend continued through the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, reaching a plateau or slight decline around the 2000s. Now, in the 2010s and 2020s, the trend has reversed sharply downward. In effect, we’ve gone from a sexual boom to a sexual bust – hence the recession terminology. It’s as if the intimate lives of Americans had an economic cycle, and we’re currently in a slump.

What does being in a pleasure recession mean for society? There are several angles to consider:

Cultural and Social Implications

Physical intimacy is a fundamental way that humans bond and form family units. A society where people connect less in that way may see ripple effects in other areas – for example, lower marriage rates (already happening), lower birth rates (indeed, the U.S. birth rate has been falling and is at record lows in recent years), and potentially shifts in how people find meaning or community.

If fewer people are pairing up, we might see more people living alone, or relying on friends and online communities for support instead of a partner. That’s not necessarily all bad, but it is a big change from the model of couple-centric social life.

Americans may have to redefine what adulthood and success look like if the old milestones (finding a partner, having kids) are happening later or not at all for a growing share of the population. There’s also a fear that a lack of sexual and romantic connection could fuel social frustrations (some point to the rise of toxic “incel” subcultures online as a symptom). In short, a sex recession could contribute to an undercurrent of dissatisfaction or conflict in the community if many feel left out of an aspect of life that previous generations took for granted.

Health and Happiness

Regular sexual intimacy has been linked in research to various health and well-being benefits – from stress reduction and better sleep to improved mood and even longer lifespan. It’s not the only route to happiness, of course, but it is one natural outlet for affection and stress relief. When an entire population is trending toward less intimacy, we have to wonder about the psychological and physiological toll. Already, loneliness and depression have been described by public health experts as epidemics of their own. Could the sex recession be both a cause and effect of those issues? Possibly.

Lonely people might have less sex, and less sex (or touch deprivation generally) might increase feelings of loneliness – a vicious cycle. Data suggests that married or partnered people report higher happiness on average than singles, and while correlation isn’t causation, it hints that intimacy and companionship are important for human flourishing.

Is it All Doom and Gloom?

Not necessarily. Some commentators argue that this period could be a recalibration rather than an outright crisis. For example, people having fewer casual flings might mean they’re avoiding some of the negative aspects of hookup culture (like STDs, unwanted pregnancies, or empty encounters). The fact that teen pregnancy rates are way down is a positive that correlates with teens having less sex. And as mentioned, some young adults are consciously choosing to opt out of the sexual rat race in favor of other goals – which can be a valid personal choice. So, one could frame the sex recession in a more neutral or even positive light for certain individuals.

Additionally, what we’re seeing now might not last forever. It’s possible this is a transitional phase as society adjusts to new technology and norms. There may be a rebound (just as economies recover) if people find new ways to connect that better fit the modern world. For instance, if loneliness and disconnection become too painful, one could imagine a cultural movement among the next generation to “get offline and really be with each other,” sparking a revival of dating and community events. Humans are resilient and trends can change – so the future isn’t set in stone.

That said, calling it a “recession” underlines that this is not a deliberate, happy development for many people – it’s largely unwanted. Few imagined we’d be here 30 years ago. Back then, if someone had suggested that in 2025 young adults would be having way less sex despite all our dating apps and liberated attitudes, it would have sounded impossible. And yet here we are. It certainly feels like something significant has shifted in our society.

The Next Generation’s Fight for Intimacy

If the current landscape is one of diminished intimacy, then perhaps the next generation’s fight will be to reclaim it. Every generation faces its own challenges – for Gen Z, the battle might be reconnecting in a world that often pulls us apart. How can young people (and all of us) push back against the forces driving the sex recession and forge fulfilling personal connections? This is not just one generation’s fight; it’s a societal challenge, but the young will be at the forefront of defining what comes next.

Possible paths forward could include:

Consciously Carving Out Offline Time

Making an effort to put down the phone, log off social media, and engage in real-world social activities is key. This might mean organizing more meetups, joining clubs, attending community events – basically rebuilding the venues where people can meet and form relationships. Community matters. Reviving social spaces (from campus events to local mixers) could help create an environment where friendships and romances spark naturally. It’s almost a grassroots counteroffensive against the isolating pull of digital life.

Reforming Dating Culture

Dating apps are convenient, but they may need an overhaul (or at least, people need new ways to use them) to yield better results. The next generation’s fight may involve finding ways to make dating more human and less like a shallow game. This could be through apps that encourage more meaningful interactions, or a cultural shift back toward meeting through friends, matchmaking, or other more personal methods.

Additionally, continued emphasis on consent and respect can coexist with finding confidence in flirting and courtship. In other words, young men and women can learn to navigate modern norms without becoming afraid of each other. Workshops on healthy relationships, mentorship from older adults, even just frank conversations among peers about these issues can equip people with tools to date without fear. Rather than retreating, the goal would be to engage with empathy and mutual understanding.

Addressing Root Causes:

On a larger scale, tackling some of the structural issues could alleviate the sex recession. For instance, helping young adults gain economic stability (through better jobs, affordable housing) might enable more of them to form families or even just move out and date. Improving access to mental health care can help those whose anxiety or depression is holding them back socially. These are big tasks, but they tie into quality of life for the next generation.

Ultimately, reversing or softening this trend will likely require effort on multiple fronts: personal, cultural, and policy-level. It’s about recognizing that while individual choices matter, people make those choices within a context – and right now the context is one that makes isolation easy and intimacy oddly scarce.

In conclusion, Americans having less sex and buying less sex toys is not a trivial or purely private matter – it’s a societal shift that reflects deeper changes in how we live, love, and find meaning. Whether we label it the “sex recession” or the “pleasure recession,” the trend has sounded an alarm about the state of connection in modern America. The good news is that awareness is the first step. People are talking about it – in articles, in podcasts, and perhaps around the dinner table – asking “Are we in a sex recession? Why is this happening?” Those questions mean the issue is out in the open. And when challenges are recognized, they can be met.