The state of sex among Gen Z

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-22T13:01:30.282Z • Permanent link

Fears of a declining sex industry have been on the rise in recent years, with some predicting a "sex recession" that would have far-reaching consequences for businesses, researchers, and policymakers. To better understand the nuances of this trend, the Kinsey Institute recently released a comprehensive survey of 2,373 U.S. adults aged 18-29. The study aimed to shed light on the attitudes and behaviors surrounding sex, dating, and relationships among young adults.

Researchers at the Kinsey Institute, led by Dr. Wendy Walsh, surveyed a diverse group of participants, including students, professionals, and creatives. The survey revealed that nearly half of respondents (48%) reported feeling less confident in their ability to engage in sex, with 64% stating that they felt less comfortable with the idea of dating in the past year. These findings suggest that the sex recession may be more than just a fleeting trend, but rather a systemic issue that affects the lives of millions of young adults.

Meanwhile, companies such as Tinder and Grindr have been grappling with the implications of the sex recession. Tinder, the popular dating app, reported a 20% decline in user engagement among users aged 18-24, while Grindr, the gay dating app, saw a 30% drop in revenue. These losses are not only affecting the bottom line but also threatening the very existence of these businesses.

Consequences of the sex recession are far-reaching and could have significant impacts on the data sources domain. Companies that rely on user data, such as social media platforms and dating apps, could face declining revenue and user engagement. This, in turn, could lead to a decline in the quality and accuracy of data collected, which is essential for informed decision-making in fields such as market research and policy analysis.

Research communities, too, are feeling the effects of the sex recession. Surveys like the Kinsey Institute's have become increasingly important in understanding the attitudes and behaviors of young adults, but the decline in user engagement and participation could threaten the validity and reliability of these studies. Policymakers, who rely on data from these sources to inform their decisions, are also at risk of being misled by inaccurate or incomplete information.

The sex recession is part of a larger trend of declining user engagement and participation in online activities. A recent study by the Pew Research Center found that 60% of teenagers aged 13-17 reported feeling overwhelmed by the amount of information they encounter online, while 54% reported feeling that online platforms are not doing enough to protect their data. This disillusionment with online platforms could be driving the decline in user engagement and participation in the data sources domain.