Why Generation Z Is Having Less Sex: Screens, Stress and Dating Fatigue

Generation Z is living through an apparent paradox: sexual content, dating apps and opportunities to communicate have never been so accessible, while several surveys report a decline in intimate relationships among young adults. This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as a “sex recession.”

However, it would be misleading to see a single explanation in this trend or to conclude that young people no longer want to love, flirt or build relationships. Intimate behaviour depends on a combination of material, psychological, relational and cultural conditions. Screens, fatigue, economic stress, body image, changing going-out habits and weariness with online dating can all accumulate.

Surveys pointing to a decline in sexual activity

An Ifop survey conducted in 2024 in partnership with Lelo found that 28% of 18- to 24-year-olds had not had sex in the previous twelve months, compared with 5% in 2006. Another Ifop study, carried out two years earlier with Sidaction, reported that 44% of 18- to 24-year-olds had not had an intimate relationship in 2021.

The trend would not concern only single people. According to the survey published in 2024, one person in five who was in a relationship said that they did not, or no longer, had sex with their partner. This is an important reminder: being in a relationship guarantees neither desire nor emotional availability nor regular intimacy.

These figures should be interpreted cautiously, as definitions, periods studied and populations surveyed may vary. Nevertheless, they suggest that sexuality now occupies a different place in the daily lives of some young people.

Hyperconnectivity competes with time for intimacy

Phones, streaming platforms, social media, games and short-form content take up a significant share of available time. Constant stimulation can leave less room for conversation, shared idleness, closeness and moments in which desire can emerge without being planned.

According to the 2024 Ifop survey cited on the subject, 50% of men and 42% of women under 35 who live with their partner have already avoided intimacy in order to watch a series or film on Netflix. Among cohabiting men in this age group, 48% also say they have avoided sex to check social media.

This is not about making screens the sole culprit. Watching a series or spending time online can be a chosen leisure activity, alone or as a couple. The problem may arise when attention is constantly captured and partners no longer have genuine periods of mutual presence. Intimacy often requires time, a feeling of safety and a degree of availability that endless scrolling does not always encourage.

Pressure around the body can inhibit desire

Social media exposes users every day to very thin, highly muscular or heavily staged bodies. This comparison can reinforce the feeling of not being attractive enough, toned enough or sufficiently in line with an aesthetic norm. Yet feeling watched or judged during an intimate moment can make it difficult to relax.

An experiment conducted in 2023 with 226 young adults compared the effects of Instagram images showing either bodies that closely matched beauty standards or more diverse bodies. After only a few minutes of exposure, the group confronted with dominant standards felt greater dissatisfaction with their own bodies.

This insecurity does not affect women alone. It can affect anyone who focuses on their appearance, anticipates another person’s gaze or feels they must achieve a form of perfection. Desire cannot be reduced to appearance: it is also linked to confidence, respect, consent and the ability to be oneself. Physical preferences should never define a person’s worth, as this article on beauty standards and respect for women points out.

Stress, mental fatigue and difficulty planning ahead

Chronic stress can affect desire. When someone is worried about work, finances, conflicts, messages that need answering or daily obligations, their mind is more focused on managing what seems urgent. In this context, sexuality may take a back seat without necessarily reflecting a loss of love.

Researcher George Chrousos explained in 2019 that stress activates an alert system in the body, notably associated with higher cortisol levels. When it becomes long-lasting, this stress can disrupt several bodily functions. A study mentioned on the subject also observed, among women, an association between higher stress levels, more cortisol and lower arousal.

Mental fatigue matters just as much as lack of sleep. After a day spent working, responding to demands, managing travel and following the news, some people primarily seek calm. The need to recover should not automatically be interpreted as rejection of a partner.

Concerns related to the cost of living, housing, career prospects, international conflicts or climate change also make it harder for some young people to plan for the future. In France, financial constraints can delay access to independent housing. Living with parents for longer can sometimes limit intimacy and reduce opportunities to have a partner over.

The domestic cocoon and the decline of spontaneous encounters

Staying at home is increasingly less associated with social failure. For many young people, home has become a place to recover: series, games, delivered meals, calls with loved ones, home workouts or online conversations offer entertainment and connection without going out.

This appreciation of comfort at home is sometimes associated with “JOMO,” or joy of missing out: the deliberate pleasure of not taking part in every outing. It is the opposite of “FOMO,” the fear of missing an event. This change can be beneficial when it helps people respect their limits and need for rest. But it can also reduce chance encounters, group outings and new interactions.

Being single is not a problem that must be solved at all costs. It may correspond to a chosen period, personal priorities or a search for stability. Yet social pressure around relationships and marriage remains strong for some people, as illustrated by the issue of being single at 30 and the expectations of those around you.

Dating app fatigue

Apps promise quick access to numerous profiles, but they can also create the impression of a repetitive process: introducing oneself, answering the same questions, keeping a conversation going, arranging a date, then starting again when the interaction goes nowhere. This weariness is often called dating fatigue.

The theoretical possibility of meeting people endlessly can create frustration rather than enthusiasm. A Slite article cited on the subject suggested that nearly one in two single people may be affected by this fatigue. A decline in users or in the valuation of certain apps does not mean they are disappearing, but it may reflect the saturation felt by some of the public with a model based on scrolling through profiles.

At the same time, many young people say they want to protect their balance, time and energy. This aspiration can be healthy. A balanced relationship does not require giving up one’s personal life; rather, it involves finding a steady presence, dialogue and a respectful space for each person, as the article on presence, space and stability in a relationship emphasizes.

A transformation of romantic paths, rather than the disappearance of desire

Life paths are less standardized than they once were. Quickly entering a relationship, living together, getting married and having children is no longer seen as a compulsory path. Entering the labour market later, difficulties accessing housing, a desire for autonomy and caution about commitment all contribute to postponing certain stages.

Having fewer intimate relationships does not necessarily mean having fewer feelings or less interest in a lasting relationship. It may also reflect a desire to take one’s time, not to accept an unsatisfying relationship, or to prioritize mental health and material stability before bringing someone into one’s life.

FAQ

Does Generation Z no longer want to be in relationships?

No. The observed changes do not allow us to claim that young people are giving up on relationships. Instead, they show that being in a relationship is less often perceived as an obligation and that some young people set higher conditions before committing.

Do screens alone explain the decline in intimate relationships?

No. Screens can reduce available time and fragment attention, but stress, fatigue, body image, housing conditions, the cost of living and dating fatigue may also play a role.

Should a lower libido in a relationship be a cause for concern?

A decline in desire can have many causes and does not automatically indicate an emotional break. Dialogue without pressure, respect for consent and attention to sources of stress are essential. If distress or difficulties persist, consulting a healthcare professional may be helpful.