Most Americans think of a recession in terms of GDP, jobs, and markets. But a different kind of downturn is underway. One that reshapes daily life more than Wall Street. Sociologists are calling it America’s “sex recession.”
The sex recession isn’t about a sudden collapse in desire. Instead, it reflects a long-term shift in how Americans spend their time, form relationships, and connect socially. The numbers show fewer partnerships, reduced intimacy, and declining hours with friends. And while this may sound like a private matter, the implications stretch into marriage stability, social well-being, and even workplace productivity.
A new brief from the Institute for Family Studies (IFS) by Grant Bailey and Bradford Wilcox outlines the trend. Here are the six most important takeaways from their analysis.
TL;DR
- Weekly sex among adults has dropped from 55% (1990) to 37% (2024).
- Each generation reports less intimacy than the one before.
- Partnering is down sharply among young adults.
- Digital media has rewired time away from social life.
- The pandemic accelerated, but did not cause, the sex recession.
- Even marriage shows steep declines in sexual frequency.
Six Key Findings From the Sex Recession
1. Weekly Sex Has Collapsed
In 1990, 55% of adults ages 18 to 64 reported weekly sex. By 2024, only 37% did, according to the General Social Survey. That’s nearly a 20-point drop in a single generation.
2. A Generational Decline, Not a Temporary Dip
The sex recession is not a short-term blip. Each generation is having less sex and forming fewer relationships than the one before, showing a structural, not cyclical, shift.
3. Partnering Rates Are Down
In 2014, 42% of young adults lived with a partner. By 2024, only 32% did. That’s a 10-point drop in just a decade.
4. The “Great Rewiring” of Time
After 2010, digital media absorbed time once devoted to in-person connection. The consequences:
- Real-world socializing fell by half.
- Sexlessness among 18–29 year olds doubled (12% → 24%).
- Partnering declined by 10 points.
This is less about desire, and more about time reallocation.
5. Pandemic Shockwaves
COVID-19 deepened isolation, but the sex recession was already here. Average weekly hours with friends fell from 12.8 in 2010 to 6.5 in 2019. The pandemic drove that to 4.2, and recovery has been weak, just 5.1 in 2024.
6. Marriage Still Offers More, But Not Enough
Married adults are still more intimate than unmarried peers (46% vs. ~34%). But even here, declines are striking:
- 59% reported weekly sex in the late 1990s.
- Only 49% did by 2010–2024.
Marriage cushions the fall, but it cannot escape the sex recession.
Why Is America in a Sex Recession?
The core explanation is time reallocation. Desire has not evaporated. What’s changed is where people spend their hours.
- Digital media dominance: Social media, gaming, and streaming now consume vast chunks of time once spent with friends or partners.
- Delayed adulthood milestones: Later marriage, career pressure, and financial stress reduce relationship formation.
- Fragmented communities: Fewer civic and religious gatherings mean fewer opportunities to meet and bond.
- Technology substitutes: Online interactions often replace real-world ones rather than supplement them.
As The Economist and Harvard Business Review have argued, digital rewiring is altering not just leisure but the very structure of social and work life.
Why the Sex Recession Matters
This is more than a cultural curiosity. It’s a warning signal for marriage, well-being, and even the economy.
1. Marriage and Family Stability
Less intimacy undermines relationship satisfaction, which can weaken family bonds and increase divorce risks.
2. Declining Well-Being
Connection is central to happiness. Reduced intimacy and fewer friendships are linked to higher loneliness and depression.
3. Workforce Productivity
Employee engagement and creativity depend on well-being. As Fortune has reported, personal connection affects retention and performance.
4. Public Health Risks
The U.S. Surgeon General warns loneliness is as dangerous as smoking. The sex recession is one manifestation of this broader health crisis.
Can the Sex Recession Trend Be Reversed?
If time is the missing piece, then solutions must help people reclaim connection.
- Foster real-world social spaces: Public policy and urban design can prioritize parks, community centers, and third places.
- Encourage digital balance: Families, schools, and workplaces can set healthier norms around tech.
- Invest in marriage and family stability: As Forbes highlights, strong relationships remain the best predictor of long-term well-being.
- Track social health like economic health: Businesses and policymakers could measure connection as a leading indicator of productivity.
Conclusion: The Real Recession We Should Be Watching
The sex recession shows that not all downturns happen in financial markets. Some happen in our living rooms, bedrooms, and communities.
America is not just facing fewer romantic encounters, it’s facing a broader decline in connection. If left unaddressed, the costs could ripple across marriages, families, and even the economy. Recognizing the sex recession now may be the first step toward rebuilding the human ties that keep both society and markets strong.
FAQs
1. What is the sex recession?
It refers to the decades-long decline in sexual activity, partnerships, and intimacy among American adults.
2. Is it caused by lower desire?
No. The main driver is time reallocation, especially toward digital media, rather than declining libido.
3. Did COVID-19 create the sex recession?
No. It accelerated the trend, but the decline began years earlier.
4. Why does this matter for the economy?
Connection and intimacy affect well-being, which impacts productivity, creativity, and retention in the workforce.
5. Are married people affected?
Yes. Married adults are still more active than singles, but their intimacy levels have declined sharply since the 1990s.
Related content you might also like:
- 6 Things Divorce Taught Me about Marriage and Love
- Global Competitiveness: Why the U.S. Still Has an Edge
- A Few Thoughts on the Labor Market
