A new study says the Gen Z “sex recession” is real, but it’s complicated. For years, there have been headlines and narratives that Gen Z is less sexually active than previous generations (Xers love to bemoan that kids these days aren’t having any fun). New research from Playboy, The Kinsey Institute, and contraceptive brand Julie found that 29% of 18-29-year-olds had no sexual partners over the last three months, and 19% have never had a partner. Among those who aren’t sexually active, the top reason is limited opportunity to meet partners, and 60% agree that dating is exhausting and not worth it. Rather than pinning the alleged sexual recession on a single factor, the study suggests that a mix of technology and economics (who can afford to date?) could be to blame. But half of young adults don’t actually think there is a sex recession, and a quarter aren’t sure. YPulse does need to call out that this research doesn’t compare Gen Z’s sexual activity to previous gens either—and our data shows that 58% of 18-24-year-olds in the U.S. report they are sexually active in 2026, compared to 55% in 2015. (Mashable)
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