Over Half of U.S. Men Aged 18-20 Report Being Virgins, Study Indicates

Recent data suggests a significant shift in sexual activity among young American men, with over 50% of those aged 18 to 20 reporting they are virgins. This statistic gained traction following a social media post by user "Jay 💊" who tweeted, > "Half of men under 30 are virgins. That's just fucking nuts. 🤯" While the broad claim for all men under 30 is an overstatement, specific age-group data supports a substantial portion of the younger cohort remaining sexually inexperienced.

According to analysis of the General Social Survey (GSS) data by Date Psychology, 50.52% of men between 18 and 20 years old have not had sexual intercourse. This figure sharply declines for older age groups within the under-30 demographic, with only 1.9% of men aged 25 to 30 reporting virginity. Separately, the National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) found that the proportion of male virgins aged 22-34 rose from 4% in 2013-15 to 10% in 2022-23, indicating a broader, though less dramatic, increase in lifetime virginity across a slightly older range.

Beyond lifetime virginity, there's also a rising trend in sexlessness, defined as not having had sex in the past year. GSS data indicates that the share of men under 30 who reported no sexual activity in the past year nearly tripled to 28% since 2008. This trend is not exclusive to men; women in the same age bracket also show an increase in sexlessness, though less pronounced.

Experts attribute this evolving landscape to a confluence of social, economic, and technological factors. Delayed entry into long-term partnerships, young adults living at home longer, and increased engagement with online activities such as video games, streaming services, and social media are frequently cited reasons. The pervasive availability of online pornography is also considered a contributing factor by some researchers, potentially influencing real-world sexual behavior.

The implications of these shifts are complex, contributing to discussions around declining birth rates and the phenomenon of "extended adolescence." As young men navigate a changing social environment, these trends highlight evolving relationship dynamics and societal norms that warrant continued observation and research.