In a striking reversal of expectations shaped by decades of sexual liberation, new research reveals that Generation Z is experiencing what experts call a “sex recession” — with fewer young people engaging in intercourse than ever before. Recent findings shed light on the underlying causes and cultural anxieties fueling this unexpected trend, raising questions about the future of relationships, intimacy, and sexual well-being among Thailand’s youth and their global peers.
Nationwide and international data indicate that Gen Z — broadly defined as those born from the mid-1990s to early 2010s — is having significantly less sex than previous generations at the same age. This phenomenon is highlighted in the latest reporting and research from The Guardian’s reproductive health journalist, who interviewed over 100 individuals under the age of 30 for her book “The Second Coming: Sex and the Next Generation’s Fight Over Its Future” (Firstpost). The author’s conversations reveal not an absence of desire, but a complicated web of social, psychological, and technological factors that leave many young people “stranded before the maw of a vast and dehumanising internet.”
The first and most obvious question is: Why is this happening? Available data offer some clues. A 2022 study cited in the book found that one in four adult Gen Z individuals reported never having had any sexual partners, while data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that only a third of high schoolers had sex by 2023. This represents a steep drop from nearly half in 2013. Gen Z is also reportedly masturbating less often than previous cohorts. Paradoxically, most interviewees expressed more sexual anxiety than apathy: many “would like to be having sex” and feel “a lot of shame over the fact that they haven’t had sex yet or aren’t having sex enough,” according to the author’s interview with Wired.
A major factor appears to be the omnipresence of digital media. Many young people say their primary exposure to sexual information is through online pornography. The author calls the modern internet a “TikTokian carousel of porn,” explaining that easy access to explicit content has indelibly shaped expectations and sexual scripts, normalizing “rough sex” and behaviors such as choking. According to the author’s interviews, “If you’re under 40, you are almost twice as likely to have been choked during sex. Some liked it, but not all.” Notably, three-quarters of American youth have watched pornography by age 18, and 15% by the age of 10 (Firstpost). These figures are consistent with global studies, suggesting the trend is not limited to the United States.
Despite high internet use and strong sexual curiosity, Gen Z faces powerful anxieties about the risks tied to sexual activity. Experts point to a resurgence of sexual conservatism in many parts of the world, notably in the United States following legislative changes like the overturning of Roe v. Wade, which restricted abortion and heightened fears about unintended pregnancy. The author suggests that “many Gen Z-ers are worried about being punished for having sex,” characterizing them as “petrified of the consequences,” with one interviewee expressing concern over “being forced to have kids that they don’t want.”
The impact of the #MeToo movement has also influenced sexual dynamics, creating an environment where concerns about consent and sexual misconduct have led to confusion and hesitation about engaging in intimate encounters. Young women, in particular, described to the author a persistent sense that even though “something bad happened, no one else cares,” deepening worries about personal safety and trust.
Adding to these pressures was the disruptive effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. Social distancing, lockdowns, and the migration of schools and social spaces online deprived young people of critical “real life” milestones and experiences essential for relationship-building and sexual exploration. As the author notes, “They’re interested in sex, but they’re not necessarily able to put it into practice… They missed out on that really critical IRL [in real life] experience.”
For Thai readers, these findings resonate with local realities. Nationwide, surveys from Chulalongkorn and Mahidol universities have shown a gradual decline in sexual activity among Thai high school and university students over the past decade, echoing global figures (Bangkok Post, Thai PBS). Like their international peers, Thai Gen Z faces increasing exposure to online sexual content, persistent social taboos regarding open dialogue about sex, and a complex mix of fears about unintended pregnancy and social judgment.
Thailand’s rapid digitalization has exacerbated the “disconnect” between online sexual mythologies and real-world intimacy. Pornographic content proliferates online despite periodic government crackdowns (Bangkok Post), and comprehensive sex education in schools remains inconsistent. Medical professionals from the Department of Mental Health and sexuality researchers at Mahidol University have raised concerns that inadequate guidance leaves Thai youth vulnerable to harmful myths, sexual coercion, and misunderstanding about consent and healthy relationships (Mahidol University).
Demographically, Thailand faces challenges common in Japan, South Korea, and parts of Europe — where falling fertility rates, delayed marriage, and youth “sex recessions” are reshaping the social contract. The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) recently warned that Thailand’s birthrate has dipped to record lows, with only 374,000 births in 2023 compared to over 600,000 a decade ago (Bangkok Post). While declining sexual activity is not the sole factor, experts say it contributes to broader anxieties about generational renewal and economic security.
Though some social conservatives may view the sex recession as a sign of growing prudence, many health and education experts worry about the psychological fallout. Young people’s fear, shame, and confusion often go unaddressed — leading to increased isolation, loneliness, and in some extreme cases, depression. An expert at the Thai Health Promotion Foundation observed, “Youth need safe spaces and trusted adults to discuss sexuality openly, without stigma or moral panic. Silence only worsens the gap between reality and myth.”
Looking ahead, researchers suggest that Thai policy-makers and educators must urgently address the sexual wellbeing of the next generation, not by pushing them into sex, but by fostering an environment where information is accurate, open, and supportive. Expanding comprehensive sexuality education, promoting healthy relationships, and normalizing public dialogue about sexual anxieties could help youth reconcile the contradictions between their digital and emotional realities.
Historically, Thai society has celebrated romantic love and youthful passion in literature, music, and cinema, but has also been marked by periods of intense social control and moral panic. From the traditional “kha khiaw” folk tales to contemporary dramas, the negotiation between sexual desire and social risk has always been a Thai reality — now rendered more complex by the digital age.
As Gen Z emerges into adulthood, their evolving attitudes toward sex, relationships, and intimacy will shape not only their own happiness, but also broader patterns in family structures, fertility rates, and social cohesion. Policymakers, educators, and families will need to move beyond simplistic narratives of moral decline or generational laziness, and recognize the genuine challenges facing youth in a fragmented and anxious world.
For parents, teachers, and health professionals, the call to action is clear: listen without judgment, provide evidence-based information, and promote healthy boundaries both online and offline. Thai youth do not necessarily lack desire or responsibility — but they do need allies to navigate a confusing sexual landscape and claim agency over their own futures.
For young readers confronting similar anxieties, experts recommend seeking out reputable sources of information, joining supportive peer networks, and reaching out to trusted adults or counseling services when needed. As one sexuality educator from a Thai university advises, “You are not alone. There is no ‘normal’ timetable for sexual experience — and your value does not depend on what you see on social media. Learn, question, and choose the path that feels safe and right for you.”
Source Citations:
- “Sex recession: Why Gen Z is saying no intercourse” (Firstpost)
- “Why are Thai teens and young adults having less sex?” (Bangkok Post)
- “Study finds Thai teenagers less sexually active than in the past” (Thai PBS)
- “Sexuality education in Thai schools” (Mahidol University)
- “Porn ban exposes Thailand’s digital divide” (Bangkok Post)
- “Thailand’s birthrate at historic low” (Bangkok Post)
- “CDC Teens, Sexual Activity, and Contraception Report” (CDC)
- “Gen Z sexual habits: interviews, Wired” (Wired)