Frequency of Sex by Age [2024 Statistics Reveal ALL!]

Curious if folks your age are having more or less sex as you are? Check out these interesting stats we’ve gathered on frequency of sex by age ALL IN ONE PLACE. Read on:

Whether we’re married, single, or anywhere in between, sex affects most of us in one way or another. So it’s only natural to wonder if others in our age group are having more or less sex than we are.  

More often than not, we don’t talk about it enough. So let’s talk about it. 

At the end of the day, the amount of sex that’s right for you is the amount that you’re comfortable with. That being said, let’s dive into just how often people are having sex based on their age.

Here are some highlights from our research:

• Both men and women are most sexually active between the ages of 25-29, with 74.4% of men and 74.3% of women reporting at least one sexual encounter in the past month. 
• Almost one-third (29.35%) of Americans in 2021 reported having NO SEX at all in the past year. 
• In 1991, Americans aged 16-45 had more sex (138 times per year) than any other country except France. Since then, however, sexual frequency has been declining. 
• Adults who have never been married are having sex about 14 times per year more than married adults. 
• California is the most sexually-active state in the US. It leads the country in contraceptive sales, promiscuous cities, and sexually-active universities. 
• From 2000 to 2018, sexual frequency has decreased across all age groups in the US.   

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Sex in America: How Often Is It Among U.S. Adults?

Before we begin the age breakdown, let’s start with the basics. When it comes to American adults of all ages, how often are they actually having sex? How many single people in the world that are actually having sex?

In 2002, the average American was having sex about 64 times per year. By 2014, that number had dropped to 53 – roughly once per week.

From the early 1990s to the late 1990s, adult sexual activity increased by 2 times per year. However, from the late 90s to the 2010s, average sexual activity decreased by 9 times per year.

Relationship status also affects sexual activity, with “never married” Americans having significantly more sex than married Americans. Here are some statistics by relationship status:

Relationship Status

 

Adults who have never married

69.81 times per year.

Married adults

55.96 times per year.

Divorced adults

46.24 times per year.

Widowed adults

10.19 times per year.

One 2018 survey found the following data on sexual frequency in married couples:

Frequency

Percentage

Sex once per week

25% of the participants

2-3 times per week 

16%

4+ times per week

5%

Once per month

17%

2-3 times per month

19%

1-2 times in the past year

7 %

No sex in the past year

10%

Percentage of Americans’ sexual activity

 

57%

Decrease in sexual activity

35%

Remained the same

8%

Reported an increase

In 2021, nearly one-third of Americans claimed they hadn’t had sex in the past year. Here’s a breakdown of sexual frequency according to that survey.

Frequency

Percentage

No sex in the past year

29.35% of participants

1-2 times in the past year

11.64%

Once per month

13.12%

2-3 times per month

16.27%

Once per week

13.31%

2-3 times per week

12.42%

3 or more times per week

3.89%

Sources: Research Gate, HealthLine, Mind Body Green, Zava Med, GSS Data Explorer

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How Frequently Do People of Their Age Have Sex?

We’ve covered sexual frequency in general, but what about different age groups? Are your twenties really going to be the most sexual time of your life? Does sex get less fun as you get older? 

Let’s take a look at the data. 

The average sexually-active 16-45 year old in 1991 reported having sex 138 times per year – more than any other country except France. 

Percentage

 

10%

From 2004 to 2009, fewer Americans over the age of 45 reported having sex at least once per week.

From 43% to 32%

Women

From 49% to 41%

Men

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Single Americans over 45 report more frequent sex than married ones.

Percentage

 

48%

Singles over 45 have sex at least once a week.

36%

Married couples in the same age group.

18-24-year-old sexual activity:

Frequency

Men

Women

Frequency

No sex in the past year

1-2 times per year

1-3 times per month

Once per week or more

Men

31%

9%

23%

37%

Women

19%

10%

18%

52%

25-34-year-old sexual activity:

Frequency

Men

Women

Frequency

No sex in the past year

Once or twice per year

1-3 times per month

Weekly or more

Men

12%

6%

27%

50%

Women

11%

6%

25%

54%

35-44-year-old sexual activity:

Frequency

Men

Women

Frequency

No sex in the past year

1-2 times per year

1-3 times per month

Once per week or more

Men

8%

11%

31%

50%

Women

8.5%

8%

31.5%

53.5%

Sources: National Library of Medicine, AARP, JAMA Network

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Average of Sex per Week by Age Group

While many studies cover tighter age groups and more extended time periods, here’s a look at sexual activity in a slightly broader scope on a weekly basis. 

One study analyzed the average sexual activity per year and per week by different age groups. The results are as follows: 

Age

Frequency

18-29-year-olds

Having sex 112 times per year or twice a week.

30-39-year-olds

86 times per year or 1.6 times a week.

40-49-year-olds

68 times per year, or 1.3 times a week. 

Source: Esquire

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At What Age Are Men and Women the Most Sexually Active?

So when is the best age to be having sex? If you’re still in college, don’t worry – your best days can still be ahead of you. However, if you’re past your thirties, this doesn’t mean you need to slow down. 

Check out this data on when people are most sexually active on average. 

For men, the highest rate of vaginal intercourse and sexual activity rate is reported at age 25-29. Here is a more in-depth breakdown of reported male sexual activity by age:

Age Range

Sex in the past month

In the past year

Lifetime

Age 14-15

7.9%

8.9%

9.9%

Age 16-17

16.1%

30.3%

30.3%

Age 18-19

31%

52.8%

62.5%

Age 20-24

52%

63.3%

70.3%

Age 25-29

74.4%

85.7%

89.3%

Age 30-39

71.3%

85.3%

92.6%

Age 40-49

61%

73.6%

89.3%

Age 50-59

44.1%

57.9%

85.8%

Age 60-69

38.9%

53.5%

86.9%

Age 70+

28.2%

42.9%

88.1%

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Women also report the highest rate of sexual activity and vaginal intercourse at ages 25-29. Here is a complete breakdown of female sexual activity by age:

Age Range

Sex in the past month

In the past year

Lifetime

Age 14-15

5.9%

10.7%

12.4%

Age 16-17

20.8%

29.7%

31.6%

Age 18-19

43.1%

62%

64%

Age 20-24

61.9%

79.9%

85.6%

Age 25-29

74.3%

86.5%

90.7%

Age 30-39

63.5%

73.5%

88.7%

Age 40-49

55.8%

70.3%

94.5%

Age 50-59

39.9%

51.4%

94%

Age 60-69

28.9%

42.2%

92.4%

Age 70+

11.9%

21.6%

89.2%

High testosterone in males aged 19-40 increases libido and sexual function, contributing to this demographic being the most sexually active.

Sources: Research Gate, PLOS One

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At What Age Among Men and Women Do Most People Stop Having Sex?

There’s no set age when people stop enjoying sex, but there are some trends that show a decline with age. 

Source: National Library of Medicine

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Which States in the U.S. Are the Most Sexually Active States? 

If you feel more sexual than your home state, it might be time to consider a move. Here’s some info on how the different US states rank in both sexual desire and sexual activity.

One study by the alcoholic-beverage company FourLoko used Google search data to determine which states’ residents were the most – or trying the hardest to be – sexually active based on the volume of sex-related search terms. 

Rank

State

1

Rhode Island

2

Maine

3

Michigan

4

New Hampshire

5

Massachusetts

6

Ohio

7

Pennsylvania

8

Vermont

9

Washington

10

Wisconsin

11

Colorado

12

Florida

13

Nevada

14

Missouri

15

Montana

16

Minnesota

17

Arizona

18

Oregon

19

New York

20

Iowa

21

Nebraska

22

Delaware

23

Connecticut

24

Illinois

25

Georgia

26

North Carolina

27

New Jersey

28

Indiana

29

Tennessee

30

Kansas

31

Wyoming

32

Idaho

33

Virginia

34

North Dakota

35

Kentucky

36

Alabama

37

New Mexico

38

South Carolina

39

Texas

40

Hawaii

41

Utah

42

Maryland

43

South Dakota

44

California

45

Arkansas

46

Oklahoma

47

West Virginia

48

Alaska

49

Louisiana

50

Mississippi

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Using a variety of statistics, one study determined the most sexually active states in the US.

State

Data

California

Leads the US in the most promiscuous cities, contraceptive sales, and sexually active universities. 

Texas

The second-highest condom sales and birth rate in the US. Austin and San Antonio are also two of the most sexually active cities in the country.

New York

43% of its residents claim to have sex daily, with even more claiming to have sex more than once per week.

Oregon

Places on every published list of most promiscuous states, and OkCupid reports that Portland has more walks of shame than any other city. 

Colorado

Fifth place simply because Denver sells contraceptives at 189% of the national average and female contraceptive sales at 278% of the national average. 

Arizona

Makes the list because of Arizona State University, one of the most sexually active campuses in America. 

Washington

Boasts two cities with condom sales 89% and 27% above the national average. Those cities are also in the top 10 biggest customers of Babeland, a popular sex toy and supply store. 

Massachusetts

Has 7 universities that rank among the most sexually active colleges in the US. 

Connecticut

Citizens claim that 32% of them have sex more than once a day, while 51% claim to have sex at least once per week. 

Missouri

Citizens also claim that 32% of them have sex at least once per day, and 23% have experienced a one-night stand at least once. 

Utah

Has annual condom sales 24% above average.

Sources: Four Loko, Insider Monkey

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Sexual Activity by Age: Through 2000-2018

American sexuality has gone through some changes since the year 2000. Here’s a look at how it’s evolved over the past couple of decades. 

About one-third of men aged 18-24 report no sexual activity in the past year. Among women aged 25-34, sexual activity decreased.

Over the years, sexual activity in men has decreased across all ages. Men 18-24 saw an absolute decrease, doubled in men aged 25-34, with a slight further decrease in men aged 35-44.

Sexual activity in 18-24-year-old men

Year

Not at all

1-2 times per year

1-3 times per month

Weekly or more

Year

2000-2002

2004-2006

2008-2010

2012-2014

2016-2018

Not at all

19%

17%

12%

30%

31%

1-2 times per year

13%

16%

18%

13%

9%

1-3 times per month

16%

21%

22%

17%

23%

Weekly or more

52%

46%

48%

40%

37%

Sexual activity in 25-34-year-old men

Year

Not at all

1-2 times per year

1-3 times per month

Weekly or more

Year

2000-2002

2004-2006

2008-2010

2012-2014

2016-2018

Not at all

7%

8%

7%

13%

14.1%

1-2 times per year

6.7%

7%

4%

5%

8%

1-3 times per month

21%

20%

23%

21%

27.6%

Weekly or more

65.3%

65%

66%

61%

50.3%

Sexual activity in 35-44-year-old men

Year

Not at all

1-2 times per year

1-3 times per month

Weekly or more

Year

2000-2002

2004-2006

2008-2010

2012-2014

2016-2018

Not at all

6%

8%

8%

8%

8.1%

1-2 times per year

5.9%

4%

8%

7%

11%

1-3 times per month

27%

29%

28%

31%

31%

Weekly or more

61.1%

59%

56%

54%

49.9%

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Women’s sexual activity significantly decreased among women aged 18-24 and 25-34, while women aged 35-44 saw only a slight decrease in sexual activity.

Sexual activity in 18-24-year-old women

Year

Not at all

1-2 times per year

1-3 times per month

Weekly or more

Year

2000-2002

2004-2006

2008-2010

2012-2014

2016-2018

Not at all

15%

21%

13%

18%

19%

1-2 times per year

10%

8%

13%

11%

10%

1-3 times per month

21%

19%

21%

24%

19%

Weekly or more

54%

52%

53%

47%

52%

Sexual activity in 25-34-year-old women

Year

Not at all

1-2 times per year

1-3 times per month

Weekly or more

Year

2000-2002

2004-2006

2008-2010

2012-2014

2016-2018

Not at all

6.6%

6%

7%

7%

12.6%

1-2 times per year

5%

5%

6%

5%

8%

1-3 times per month

22%

26%

29%

26%

26%

Weekly or more

66.4%

63%

58%

62%

54.2%

Sexual activity in 35-44-year-old women

Year

Not at all

1-2 times per year

1-3 times per month

Weekly or more

Year

2000-2002

2004-2006

2008-2010

2012-2014

2016-2018

Not at all

10%

7%

10%

9%

8%

1-2 times per year

10%

6%

7%

7%

7%

1-3 times per month

29%

34%

30%

30%

31%

Weekly or more

51%

53%

53%

54%

53%

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A 2011 study showed that the frequency of sexual activity declines with age. However, women are far less likely to report sexual activity at any age. Here’s a breakdown of sexual activity by age: 

Percentage

 

73%

57-64-year-olds report being sexually active.

53%

65-74-year-olds report being sexually active.

26%

75-85-year-olds report being sexually active.

The less positively a person views their aging, the less pleasure they get from sex. Feeling older can also reduce a person’s interest in sex. 

Sources: JAMA Network, National Library of Medicine, National Library of Medicine

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Conclusion

Sex is an amazing part of the human experience, and we all go through phases experiencing more or less of it. On average, it is most frequent in the mid to late 20s and steadily declines with age. Some states and cultures are more sex-positive, while others can make it feel taboo. 

Sexual frequency also appears to fluctuate with time, as different generations approach sex in different ways.

Now if you’re wondering on specific niche, then head over on how often do couples have sex statistics.

In the end, it doesn’t who is more sexually active male or female or how often you have sex but how satisfied you are with your own unique sexual experience.