Understanding the Decline in Gen Z Sexual Activity

The article examines the reported decline in sexual activity among Generation Z, citing Kinsey Institute data showing that the share of young adults with no sex in the past year rose from 12% in 2010 to 24% in 2024. It attributes the trend partly to financial pressures, such as living with parents longer and costly dating, as well as technology's role, including AI companions replacing some dating. The piece frames the 'sex recession' within broader social and cultural changes.

The Kinsey Institute, which has studied sex, gender, and relationships for eight decades, reports that young adults aged 15–29 are having less sex. Its data show the share with no sexual activity in the prior year rose from 12% in 2010 to 24% in 2024; among 18–29-year-olds, 30% reported none in the previous three months.

Financial and housing factors appear central. The average age of leaving home has reached 28, and 64% of those still living with parents cited insufficient privacy for no sex in three months. In London, a dinner-and-movie date can exceed £100, while drinks may cost roughly one hour of national living wage (£10.85–£12.71).

Count words. First para: The(1) Kinsey2 Institute3, which4 has5 studied6 sex7, gender8, and9 relationships10 for11 eight12 decades13, reports14 that15 young16 adults17 aged18 15–29? maybe count as one? are19 having20 less21 sex22. Its23 data24 show25 the26 share27 with28 no29 sexual30 activity31 in32 the33 prior34 year35 rose36 from37 12%38 in39 2010? 40 to41 24%42 in43 2024?44; among45 18–29-year-olds46, 30%47 reported48 none49 in50 the51 previous52 three53 months54. Good 54.

Second: Financial1 and2 housing3 factors4 appear5 central6. The7 average8 age9 of10 leaving11 home12 has13 reached14 28,15 and16 64%17 of18 those19 still20 living21 with22 parents23 cited24 insufficient25 privacy26 for27 no28 sex29 in30 three31 months32. In33 London34, a35 dinner-and-movie36 date37 can38 exceed39 £100,40 while41 drinks42 may43 cost44 roughly45 one46