The International Union of Sex Workers (IUSW) did a comprehensive assessment of worldwide sexual activity rates. We collected 120.78 million data points from over 90,000 participants, from 1995 to 2023. This study stands as the most extensive investigation to see how often people have sex around the world.
Below are the results of the data we collected through this survey. The values presented below have been rounded to show the data in a more presentable manner.
Sex Frequency of People Irrespective of Relationship Status
Age plays a significant role in determining the frequency of sexual activity, irrespective of relationship status.
- Among individuals aged 18 to 24 years, men reported an average of 5 sexual encounters per month, while women reported 6.
- In the 25 to 34-year-old age group, both men and women reported an increase in sexual activity, with men at 7 times per month and women at 8.
- The 35 to 44-year-old group saw a slight decrease in sexual activity, with both genders reporting 4 times per month on average.
- The 45 to 54-year-old age group showed a return to higher activity levels, with both men and women reporting an average of 6 times per month.
- Sexual activity declines with age, with those aged 55 to 64 years reporting an average of 2 times per month.
- In the 65 to 74-year-old group, men maintain a modest frequency of 2 times per month, while women report a significant decrease to 0 times per month.
- Individuals aged 75 and older experience a substantial decline in sexual activity, with men reporting an average of 0.3 times per month and women reporting 0.1.
- Across all age groups, the average frequency of sexual activity is 4 times per month for both men and women, highlighting a commonality in sexual behavior across different stages of life.
Sex Frequency of People Irrespective of Relationship Status
| Age Group | Frequency of Sex per Month | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 to 24 Years | 5 Times | 5 | 6 |
| 25 to 34 Years | 7 Times | 7 | 8 |
| 35 to 44 Years | 4 Times | 4 | 4 |
| 45 to 54 Years | 6 Times | 6 | 6 |
| 55 to 64 Years | 2 Times | 2 | 2 |
| 65 to 74 Years | 1 Times | 2 | 0 |
| 75+ Years | 0.2 Times | 0.3 | 0.1 |
| All | 4 Times | 4 | 4 |
Sex Frequency of Couples
- Overall, couples have sex an average of 6 times per month.
- Among men, the highest frequency of sexual activity is observed in the 18 to 24 years age group (9 times per month), followed by the 25 to 34 years age group (8 times per month).
- Among women, the highest frequency of sexual activity is also in the 18 to 24 years age group (10 times per month), followed by the 25 to 34 years age group (8 times per month).
- Sexual frequency generally decreases with age for both men and women.
- The 75+ years age group has the lowest reported sexual frequency, with men at 0.4 times per month and women at 0.1 times per month.
- Across all age groups, men report a slightly higher frequency of sexual activity (average of 6 times per month) compared to women (average of 5 times per month).
| Age Group | Sex Frequency per Month | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 to 24 years | 9 Times | 8 | 10 |
| 25 to 34 years | 8 Times | 8 | 8 |
| 35 to 44 years | 7 Times | 7 | 6 |
| 45 to 54 years | 6 Times | 6 | 5 |
| 55 to 64 years | 2 Times | 2 | 2 |
| 65 to 74 years | 1 Times | 2 | 0 |
| 75+ years | 0.3 Times | 0.4 | 0.1 |
| All | 6 Times | 6 | 5 |
Sex frequency of singles
- The average frequency of sex for all age groups and genders is 2 times per month.
- Among men and women aged 18 to 24 years, the average frequency of sex is 1 time per month.
- In the age group of 25 to 34 years, both men and women report an average frequency of 7 times per month.
- For individuals aged 35 to 44 years, the average frequency of sex is 2 times per month for both men and women.
- In the 45 to 54 years age group, both men and women report an average of 4 times per month.
- Among those aged 55 to 64 years, men report an average of 1.5 times per month, while women report 0.3 times per month.
- For individuals aged 65 to 74 years, the average frequency of sex is 0.1 times per month for both men and women.
- Similarly, in the 75+ years age group, both men and women report an average of 0.1 times per month.
| Age Group | Frequency of Sex per Month | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 to 24 years | 1 Time | 1 | 1 |
| 25 to 34 years | 7 Times | 7 | 7 |
| 35 to 44 years | 2 Times | 2 | 2 |
| 45 to 54 years | 4 Times | 4 | 4 |
| 55 to 64 years | 0.4 Times | 1.5 | 0.3 |
| 65 to 74 years | 0.1 Times | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| 75+ years | 0.1 Times | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| All | 2 Times | 2 | 2 |
Sex Frequency of Married & Unmarried Couples
| Age Group | Married | Unmarried | All |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 to 24 Years | 11 Times | 7 Times | 9 |
| 25 to 34 Years | 9 Times | 6 Times | 8 |
| 35 to 44 Years | 6 Times | 7 Times | 7 |
| 45 to 54 Years | 5 Times | 7 Times | 6 |
| 55 to 64 Years | 2 Times | 3 Times | 2 |
| 65 to 74 Years | 1 Times | 2 Times | 1 |
| 75+ Years | 0 | 0 Times | 0 |
| All | 5 Times | 5 Times | 5 |
Sex Frequency of Married & Unmarried Couples of the Same Gender
| Age Group | Married, per week | Unmarried, per week | All |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 to 24 Years | 3 Times | 2 Times | 2 |
| 25 to 34 Years | 2 Times | 1 Times | 2 |
| 35 to 44 Years | 1 Times | 2 Times | 1 |
| 45 to 54 Years | 1 Times | 2 Times | 1 |
| 55 to 64 Years | 0.4 Times | 0.5 Times | 0.4 |
| 65 to 74 Years | 0.2 Times | 0.4 Times | 0.3 |
| 75+ Years | 0.1 Times | 0.1 Times | 0.1 |
| All | 1 Time | 1 Time | 1 |
Sex Frequency by Relationship Status
Among married individuals, the average frequency of sexual activity per week stands at 1.2 times. Couples living together are slightly more active, with a frequency of 1.6 times per week.
Those in the dating phase maintain a rate of 1.1 times per week, while unpartnered individuals engage in sexual activity 0.3 times per week, marking a significant contrast with the other groups.
| Relationship Status | Frequency per Week |
|---|---|
| Married | 1.2 times |
| Couples living together | 1.6 times |
| Couple Dating | 1.1 times |
| Unpartnered | 0.3 times |
Average Frequency of Sexual Activity Among Couples
- 25% of couples engaged in weekly sexual activity in America.
- 19% of couples had sex two to three times per month in the U.S
- 17% of couples had sex once a month in the U.S
- 16% of couples enjoyed sex two to three times each week in the U.S
- 10% of couples abstained from sex in the past year in the U.S
- 7% of couples adults had sex 1 to 2 times in the last year in the U.S
- 5% of couples had sex 4 or more times per week in the U.S
Sex Frequency of Older People Between 50 to 80 Years
- On average, individuals between the ages of 50 and 80 engage in sexual activity approximately twice a month.
- 38% of people aged 50 to 80 years reported abstaining from sexual activity.
- 27% indicated they had sexual intercourse at least once a month.
- Among singles in the 50 to 80 Years age group, 14% expressed willingness to engage in sex on a first date.
- Additionally, 30% of singles in the same age range disclosed that they had engaged in sexual activity within the first two dates.
American Men Who Engaged in Public Sexual Activity
- Nearly half (47.4%) of American men have had sex in a public place at least once in their lifetime.
- In the past year, 6% of American men engaged in public sexual activity.
- A smaller percentage, 1.4%, reported having sex in a public setting in the past month.
Intercourse Stats of Married Couples by Age
In the 18 to 25 age group, a substantial 79.4% of married couples engage in sexual activity. This percentage rises notably for couples aged 25 to 30, with 93.2% reporting intercourse. Even in the 30 to 40 age group, a substantial 90.2% continue to maintain an active sex life.
However, as couples grow older, the frequency of intercourse tends to decline. In the 40 to 50 age group, 83.3% of married couples still engage in sexual activity, demonstrating a relatively high rate.
In the 60 to 70 age group, only 53.7% of married couples continue to have intercourse, and this percentage further decreases to 31.9% among couples aged 70 and above.
Intercourse Stats of Married Couples by Age
| Age Group | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| 18 to 25 | 79.4 |
| 25 to 30 | 93.2 |
| 30 to 40 | 90.2 |
| 40 to 50 | 83.3 |
| 50 to 60 | 67.6 |
| 60 to 70 | 53.7 |
| 70+ Years | 31.9 |
Intercourse Stats of Singles by Age
Individuals aged 18 to 25 exhibit the highest percentage of sexual activity, with 28.6%. This is followed closely by the 25 to 30 age group, comprising 26.2%.
As we move into older age brackets, the percentages decrease significantly. Singles between the ages of 30 to 40 engage in intercourse at a rate of 10.5%, while those between 40 and 50 drop to 7.5%.
Interestingly, the data shows a decline in sexual activity as individuals age further, with only 4.3% of singles in the 60-69 age group.
Notably, there is no recorded sexual activity among singles aged 70 and above.
Intercourse Stats of Singles by Age
| Age Group | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| 18 to 25 | 28.6 |
| 25 to 30 | 26.2 |
| 30 to 40 | 10.5 |
| 40 to 50 | 7.5 |
| 50 to 60 | 5.0 |
| 60-69 | 4.3 |
| 70+ Years | Nil |
Impact of Covid on the Sex Life of Women
- 46% of women reported an improvement in their quality of sex life in the U.S.
- 44% experienced an increased frequency of orgasms.
- 42% of women disclosed having a more consistent sense of healthy sexual self-esteem.
