The libido of the French is in free fall. According to an Ifop study commissioned by sex toy brand Lelo, on average 76% of French people have had sex in the last 12 months. This represents a drop of 15 points compared to 2006 and the last major investigation on the subject. According to the investigation published on Tuesday 6 February, it is a “ unprecedented decline in sexual activity » in France, as this figure has never been so low in 50 years.
Decline in all age groups
According to the Ifop, this decline in sexual activity is also found in weekly frequency relationships : in 2024, 43% of French say they do it once a week compared to 58% in 2009.
A decline in sexual activity is very present among young people. Since 28% of young people aged 18 to 24, or more than a quarter, have not had sexual intercourse in a year, compared to 5% in 2006. These young people say they do not always have the courage to meet people, but also undergo IL pressure to performa pressure that is accentuated by the explosion of porn. While others embrace their abstinence and/or asexuality.
Among older adults, 35% of 50-59 year olds also admit to having been sexually inactive in the last twelve months, compared to just 10% in 2006.
A significant decline among women
Among women, in particular, the study shows that sexuality occupies much less space in their lives than before: 62% of them attach importance to it, compared to 82% in 1996. Withdrawal is a problem for 60% of men, compared to only 30% of women. Another strong finding, 69% of women, or two out of three, admit that they easily cope with the absence of sexual intercourse, compared to 48% of men.
The causes of this “sexual recession” as the studio calls it, they are multiple. First of all, it is part of a context of revolution in the relationship with consensus. French women are in fact much less willing to force themselves to make love than they were 40 years ago. Today, 52% of French women aged 18 to 49 say they sometimes make love without wanting to, up from 76% in 1981.
A drop due to screens
According to the survey, there are reasons for the decline in sexual activity among the French in the on-screen competition, especially for couples. Among those under 35 who live together, half of the men admit to having already avoided sexual intercourse to watch a series or a film. 53% of these men have already preferred video games to sex and 48% have preferred social networks to share photos or videos.
Thereby, “the decades 2010-2020 mark the beginning of a new cycle in which the compulsion to have a sexual life of ‘pleasure’ or ‘like everyone else’ becomes less strong”indicates the study in its conclusion.
Listen to Apéro des Daronnes, Madmoizelle’s show that aims to break down taboos on parenting.
Source: Madmoizelle
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
