Gen Z is having a tough time in and out of the bedroom, it seems, as according to a new survery, 39 percent say ‘the cost of dating limited their opportunities for sex or romance’.
Playboy, in collaboration with the Kinsey Institute and Julie, asked 2,373 US adults aged 18 to 29 about their sex lives for The 2026 Gen Z Sex Survey.
And the results aren’t pretty.
It showed that 43 percent say the state of their finances make it harder to date, even though 74 percent show a ‘moderate to very high sexual desire’.
While it’s not that they don’t want to have sex, around 34 percent of men worryingly reported that porn has replaced the need for a real-life relationship. And one in three said they won’t hesitate to go for a digital partner sometimes.
So, why is it that this generation is seemingly holding back from intimacy?
Over 2,300 adults aged 18 to 29 took part in a poll that suggests we could be living in a ‘sex recession’ (Getty Stock Images)
Why are younger people have less sex?
Playboy explains: “The sex recession appears to be real, but nuanced. Most respondents report relatively low activity despite moderate to high desire.
“Most young adults are not particularly stressed about their sex lives. Most describe their sex lives as average or better than average. Fatigue from dating apps, fear of rejection, and lack of finances are making connection more difficult.
“Young people are finding other outlets for intimacy: in friendships, online, and alone. Where Gen Z lives shapes the picture. Two-thirds of single people living with their parents had no partners at all in the last three months.
“They’re having less sex, but not safer sex. Protection is inconsistent, and a third have never been tested for STIs.”
The NHS says ‘having an active sex life can have health benefits’ (Getty Stock Images)
No ‘nerve, privacy or money’ to get down and dirty
Speaking to The Sun, one Gen Z’er admitted that it is also ‘hard’ for their peer group to find anywhere for a ‘bit of peace and quiet’.
“My parents both moved out when they were 18 or 19, and my grandparents around the same ages, so they had the freedom to do what they liked,” they said. “It’s just not the same with our generation – which is pretty unfair really.”
“They have the desire. They just don’t have the nerve, privacy or money to act on it,” Playboy adds.
Well, the NHS says ‘having an active sex life can have health benefits such as improving the condition of your heart, reducing stress and improving mental health‘.
“Being part of a happy, healthy relationship can also reduce depression and anxiety,” the health service notes, adding that ‘even a hug can reduce your blood pressure and improve your sense of well-being’.
It seems there’s many reasons behind why some people aren’t having as much sex (Getty Stock Image)
Are there negative side effects of not having sex at all?
While we all know the benefits of being intimate, there are actually some negatives to not getting enough action.
While abstaining from sex can reduce the risk of contracting a STI or STD and improve mental health, it can also lead to certain physical issues.
For women, a lack of sexual activity can trigger decreased blood flow to the pelvic area, resulting in vaginal dryness and atrophy. A lack of stimulation can also cause pelvic floor weakness.
And for men, infrequent sexual activity can cause issues with erectile function due to the decreased blood flow to penile tissues. Prostate health can also become a concern, as frequent ejaculation has been statistically associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer, according to Web MD.
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