Gen Z Prioritizes Other Things Over Sex, Survey Finds

A new survey conducted by Playboy in collaboration with the Kinsey Institute and women's sexual health brand Julie reveals significant shifts in the sexual habits and priorities of Generation Z. The "2026 Gen Z Sex Survey," which polled over 2,300 adults aged 18 to 29, found that 19% of respondents have never experienced sexual intercourse. This contrasts sharply with previous generations, as Playboy noted that in the 1980s, the question of whether 18-to-29-year-olds had engaged in sex was considered almost rhetorical. The survey also indicates a decrease in self-pleasure among this demographic, with one in three Gen Z men and close to half of Gen Z women reporting no masturbation in the last three months. Despite this, 74% of Gen Z individuals surveyed report having moderate to high sexual desire, creating a notable discrepancy that Playboy summarized as "Gen Z isn’t just having less sex with each other; a lot of them are having less sex with themselves too." Generation Z is defined as individuals born between 1997 and 2012, currently ranging from approximately 14 to 29 years old.

Further analysis of the survey data highlights several contributing factors to this trend. Only 30% of young men surveyed reported daily masturbation, while 34% indicated that pornography fully satisfies their sexual desires. Financial concerns also play a substantial role, with 39% of respondents stating that "the cost of dating limited their opportunities for sex or romance." An additional 43% attributed anxiety over money to making dating more challenging. These findings suggest that, unlike previous cohorts, Gen Z may be engaging in less partnered sex partly due to increased reliance on digital content and reduced dating opportunities stemming from the high cost of living. The survey also revealed that 42% of Gen Z individuals currently do not prioritize sex, and among those who do, one in three sometimes opt for digital or solo sexual activities over partnered encounters. Furthermore, 28% of this generation, having grown up with pervasive screen time, admit that device usage diminishes their motivation to seek in-person sexual connections. The Kinsey Institute, a research institute at Indiana University Bloomington, is known for its pioneering research on human sexuality, and its involvement lends significant credibility to the survey's findings. Julie, the women's sexual health brand, focuses on providing accessible and discreet sexual wellness products and information.