A new survey has shown who among us is having the best sex—and, it turns out, Gen Z has the upper hand.
The data gathered by Talker Research in September revealed that Gen Z is the most satisfied generation when it comes to their sex life. The study polled 2,000 sexually active Americans across different age groups and found that 52 percent of respondents born between 1997 and 2006 reported being “very satisfied” with their current sexual experiences.
The figure is higher than any other generational group, with millennials trailing behind at 50 percent and baby boomers at 45 percent. Boomers even have Generation X, those born between 1965 and 1980, beat by three percent.
Gen Z’s Approach: ‘Quality’
The survey results challenge the “sex recession” narrative frequently associated with Gen Z, researcher and cultural strategist Anastasiia Fedorova at Canvas8 told Newsweek.
Contrary to this narrative, which implies that younger people are having less sex, Gen Z’s approach seems to be a bit slower and more intentional.
“The ‘sex recession’ myth has certainly followed Gen Z for a while, but it seems that for them it’s not about quantity, but the quality of sex,” Fedorova said. “They’re engaging with intimacy in a more nuanced way.”
Unlike previous generations, which may have emphasized casual hookups, Fedorova said that Gen Z places greater importance on meaningful connections and personal satisfaction.
“This desire for deeper engagement and authenticity allows them to have better communication when it comes to their needs and desires,” Fedorova said. “Combined with being more clued-in on sex-positive discourse, it ultimately helps to have a more satisfying sex life.”
Stock photo of a group of friends laughs together. A new poll revealed that Gen Z is the generation most “satisfied” with their sex life.
Jose carlos Cerdeno/Getty Images
A Digital-First Generation
Part of this generational shift in attitudes toward sex and intimacy stems from Gen Z’s digital-first mindset.
Fedorova highlighted how growing up with the internet exposed Gen Z to a wealth of information about sex, relationships and identity.
“Of course, not all of it is positive, but it allowed them to acquire a deeper understanding of what they personally might be interested in,” she said. The access to diverse perspectives has empowered people to explore sexual desires and needs more confidently.
Gen Z’s digital landscape has also given rise to new ways of forming connections. Fedorova gave the example of “Date-me docs”: dating profiles resembling newspaper personal ads and online communities where people meet through shared interests.
These alternatives reflect a move away from traditional dating apps, especially in an age of rampant dating app burnout.
How Other Generations Measure Up
While Gen Z leads the pack in sexual satisfaction, other generations—especially millennials—also reported high levels of contentment.
Interestingly, 30 percent of respondents from the Silent Generation, those born between 1925 and 1945, said they were “very satisfied,” a figure comparable to the satisfaction levels of baby boomers at 45 percent. This generation also had the highest proportion of respondents who reported being “very dissatisfied” with their sex life, though—a stark contrast to the much lower dissatisfaction levels among younger generations.
The findings suggest that Gen Z is leading the way in terms of sexual satisfaction, thanks in part to their multifaceted approach to connection. As their digital and real-world relationships collide, it remains to be seen whether Gen Z’s forward-thinking approach to sex could inform other generations’ ideas of intimacy.
This random double-opt-in survey was conducted by market research company Talker Research, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).
