# Sex Recession Complicated by Gen Z Data

> Gen Z's sex activity drops but desire remains high, per Kinsey study.
- Title: Sex Recession Complicated by Gen Z Data · Mashable | Shortify
- Summary: Gen Z's sex activity drops but desire remains high, per Kinsey study. Gen Z reports lower sexual activity but high desire, with economic and digital factors…
- Keywords: kinsey institute, playboy, julie, gen z, sexual activity, emergent contraceptive, dating apps, financial stress, technology, culture, Sex, Recession
- Source: Mashable — https://mashable.com/life/kinsey-playboy-julie-survey-sex-recession-gen-z
- Author: Anna Iovine
- Published: 2026-09-22T13:15:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: kinsey institute, playboy, julie, gen z, sexual activity, emergent contraceptive, dating apps, financial stress, technology, culture
## Gen Z Sex Activity Study
The Kinsey Institute, Playboy, and emergency contraceptive brand Julie released 'The State of Sex Among Gen Z' report with data from 2,373 u.s. adults aged 18-29.
## Sex Recession Real but Complex
The report confirms a sex recession exists among gen z but attributes it to economic, technological, psychological, and social factors.
## Low Sexual Activity Rates
Twenty-nine percent of gen z participants had no sexual partners in the last three months, and nineteen percent have never had a partner.
## Masturbation and Kissing Trends
Forty-nine percent reported kissing nearly every day, while thirty-six percent haven't masturbated in the last three months.
## Dating Challenges
Sixty-seven percent said limited opportunities to meet partners, and sixty percent agreed dating is exhausting and not worth the effort.
## Digital and Financial Factors
Thirty-eight percent get sexual needs from digital content, and thirty-seven percent report financial stress affecting their sex lives.
## Consequence for Gen Z
Financial stress impacts three-quarters of gen z participants' ability to live independently, affecting their sexual activity.
## Key takeaway

Gen Z reports lower sexual activity but high desire, with economic and digital factors driving the 'sex recession' trend.