Historic Decline in Intimacy in the U.S.: What’s Behind the Trend?

The United States is facing a recession, but it's not the economic kind—at least not directly. A recent report from the Institute for Family Studies (IFS) reveals an unprecedented "sexual recession" affecting the nation, characterized by a widespread and steady decline in sexual activity among adults, both young and married. This phenomenon signals a dramatic shift in human connections, driven by loneliness, digitalization, and significant cultural and social changes that began over a decade ago.

The Persistent Decline

Back in 1990, 55% of Americans aged 18 to 64 reported engaging in weekly sexual activity. By 2024, that figure has plummeted to just 37%, marking the lowest point since such data started being collected. The IFS emphasizes that this is not a fleeting occurrence but a long-term trend. "With the turn of the millennium, these numbers began to drop: by 2010, less than half reported weekly sexual encounters," the report states.

This decline spans marital statuses. Although married adults still report more frequent sexual activities than singles—46% compared to 34%—the sexual recession is also impacting married couples. Between 1996 and 2008, 59% of married individuals reported having sex at least weekly; today, that rate has fallen to 49%.

Young Adults Most Affected

The most significant decrease is evident among young adults aged 18 to 29. According to the report, "The proportion of young adults living with a partner, whether married or unmarried, fell by 10 percentage points from 2014 to 2024," dropping from 42% to 32%. This statistic is crucial, as researchers pinpoint the lack of stable partners as one of the main reasons for the drop in sexual activity.

Even more concerning is the rise in asexuality, defined as not having had sexual relations in the past year. Until 2010, this rate remained stable at around 15% among young people. However, since then, the curve has sharply increased: by 2024, 24% of young adults reported not having had sex in 12 months, double the rate in 2010.

The Digital Turning Point: "The Great Rewiring"

The report connects this turning point to "The Great Rewiring," a concept introduced by Jonathon Haidt in The Anxious Generation. This term describes the impact of the digital revolution between 2010 and 2015, where the widespread use of smartphones and social media profoundly altered adolescent interactions with the world.

"Childhood became increasingly digital. Consequently, children were not exposed to as much socialization as previous generations," the IFS warns. This lack of face-to-face interaction has resulted in a generation experiencing higher rates of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide—and significantly, a reduced ability to form intimate relationships.

Between 2010 and 2019, the average time young adults spent with friends dropped nearly 50%, from 12.8 to just 6.5 hours per week. The pandemic exacerbated this trend, reducing that number to 4.2 hours. Although it slightly increased to 5.1 hours by 2024, young people still spend minimal time in face-to-face social activities, according to the study.

Digital Barriers: Phones, Porn, and Video Games

The report clearly indicates that so-called "digital opiates" have replaced real human contact. "Increased time spent on smartphones, social media, pornography, and video games meant young adults had fewer opportunities to develop the social skills needed for relationships." This hyperconnected lifestyle has displaced activities traditionally associated with forming romantic and sexual bonds, such as parties, dating, or even alcohol consumption.

According to the IFS, the reduction in romantic relationships and lower alcohol consumption largely explain the sexual recession, alongside decreased incomes and the increasing time spent on video games, especially among men, which "reduces their attractiveness in the dating market."

Marriage No Longer a Safeguard Against Decline

While married adults still have more sexual relations than singles, marriage no longer guarantees an active intimate life. The 2023 IFS report indicated that excessive screen use at home also impacts marital sexual life. "Married adults reported lower sexual frequency when their spouse replaced couple time with phone or computer use."

A growing habit is digital procrastination before bedtime, where individuals spend the last hours of the day consuming online content, delaying bedtime and weakening intimacy. "It’s no surprise that increased use of social media, Netflix, or video games by spouses results in less intimacy," the report notes.

Why the Sexual Recession Matters

The sexual recession is not merely an anecdote or a sociological curiosity. "Regular sex is associated with better health, higher quality marriages, and greater happiness," the IFS emphasizes. They add, "We are, as Aristotle noted, social animals, real and embodied creatures who thrive on interactions with others in the real world."

As the trend toward living—sexual life included—shifts to the virtual realm, the risk is that individuals will lose the fundamental connections that underpin their physical, emotional, and relational well-being. Therefore, the institute concludes, "The United States should be as concerned about the sexual recession as it is about any other national crisis."