In today's world, when the world is dealing with anxiety and fear of missing out, there has been a new trend among the Gen Z generation. According to a study by the Institute for Family Studies, a conservative "think tank", there has been a declining trend in couples engaging in sexual activities. Dubbed as "sex recession", describes a persistent decline in sexual activity among Americans.
According to the study, Gen Z (typically referring to individuals born between 1997 and 2012) has less sex than previous generations.
The study revealed a rapid decline in sex trends among the generation, with the couple reporting having physical relations only once a week.
What data reveals about sex trend?
According to data from the General Social Survey (GSS) analysed by the Institute for Family Studies (IFS) in their August 2025 article, only 37 per cent of adults aged 18-64 reported having sex at least once a week in 2024.
This marks a sharp drop from 55 per cent in 1990, with the decline accelerating around the turn of the millennium, falling below 50 per cent by 2010.
The trend affects various groups, but hits hardest among younger adults. For those aged 18–29, 24 per cent reported no sex in the past year in recent data, roughly double the rate from 2010.
This aligns with broader patterns of delayed or reduced partnering, the share of young adults living with a partner (married or cohabiting) fell from 42 per cent in 2014 to 32 per cent in 2024.
ALSO READ: WTF Is '6-7 Dating'? The Anti-Toxic Trend Taking Over Gen Z
Sex trend among married couple also declined: Report
Married adults fare better overall, with 46 per cent reporting weekly sex compared to about 34 per cent of unmarried couples. However, even marriage isn't immune; the sex recession has infiltrated married couples too. Between 1996-2008, 59 per cent of married adults aged 18-64 had sex weekly or more; that dropped to 49 per cent from 2010–2024.
What are the reasons for decline in sex trend?
- Declines appear across age groups within marriage.
- Key drivers include a decline in steady relationships, particularly marriage, which historically correlates with higher sexual frequency.
- Young people are partnering later or not at all, leaving more in singlehood, where sex is less common.
ALSO READ: WTF: Politically Woke, Personally Lost; Inside Gen Z’s Inner Disconnect
- Other contributing factors discussed in related analyses include increased screen time, like phones, computers and porn.
- Digital distractions are substituting for in-person connection, mental health strains, post-pandemic burnout, and shifts in time allocation away from intimacy toward solitary activities.
Why is regular sex important?
The implications are significant. According to the studey, regular sex is linked to better physical and mental health, stronger marriages, and greater overall happiness.
The ongoing drop, predating COVID but persisting into the mid-2020s, signals bigger cultural and social changes around relationships, technology, and community. While not a sudden crisis, this "recession" in intimacy reflects broader retreats from traditional pair-bonding and face-to-face socialising, with millions more Americans experiencing less frequent or no partnered sex than previous generations.