Gen Z and the Great Sex Recession: Why Young Adults Are Having Less Intimacy Than Ever

From Digital Distractions to Economic Pressures — What’s Really Killing Their Sex Lives?

A Generation That Knows About Sex But Isn’t Having It

Gen Z grew up in a world where dating apps, hookup culture, and sex education were more accessible than ever. They were raised with fewer taboos, greater social freedoms, and the ability to find a date with the swipe of a finger.

And yet, they’re having less sex than any previous generation.

A startling 43% of Gen Z men haven’t had a single sexual encounter in the past year. Compared to previous generations, where young adulthood was seen as a time of sexual exploration, Gen Z’s sex recession is puzzling, ironic, and completely unexpected.

How did we go from worrying about “hypersexualized teenagers” to witnessing a generation that is more celibate than their conservative grandparents?

The truth is, this isn’t a choice — it’s a symptom of a much deeper societal shift. Gen Z’s declining sex life isn’t about personal preference. It’s the result of a perfect storm of digital overload, economic instability, mental health struggles, and changing social dynamics.