This is the fourth national scientific survey on French sexuality. “Context of sexualities in France” (Inserm, Paris 1 Panthéon – Sorbonne, ANRS – emerging infectious diseases), the first results of which have just been published, is based on data collected from 31,518 people.
Here are 10 pieces of information to remember that reflect the evolution of French sexuality.
Age you 1is increasing ratio
It is 18.2 years for women and 17.7 years for men. After a three-year fall for women between the 1960s and the mid-2000s (20.1 years versus 17.3 years), the trend is reversing. For men, the median age was 18.8 in the 1960s compared to 17.3 years in 2006. The age is also decreasing among them, rising to 17.7 years in 2023.
The number of partners increases
Men have on average 16.4 partners over their lifetime, 7.9 for women: For the latter, the figure was 4.5 in 2006, 11.9 for men.
The decline in sexual activity is confirmed
In 1992, 86.4% of women aged 18 to 69 had had sexual intercourse in the past year, then 82.9% in 2006 and 77.2% in 2023. Among men, we go from 92.1% in 1992, to 89.1% in 2006 and to 81.6% in 2023.
Sexual practices are diversifying
Among which is masturbation. 72.9% (56.5% in 2006) of women and 92.6% of men (89.9% in 2006) aged 18 to 69 have already experienced it. The practice of anal penetration (performed or received) increased among women from 35.2% in 2006 to 38.9% in 2023. Among men, the practice increased from 46.3% in 2006 to 57.4%. in 2023.
Note: anal penetration is more common among 30-39 year olds than among 18-29 year olds.
Sexual satisfaction on the rise
The proportion of women satisfied with their sex life stood at 43.6% in 2006 and 45.3% in 2023. Among men, it increased from 35.1% in 2006 to 39.0% in 2023. Sexual satisfaction is greater at all ages and for both sexes except between 30 and 39 years for women and after 60 years for men.
Same-sex partners
8.4% of women and 7.5% of men aged 18-89 have had at least one partner of the same sex. Among 18-29 year olds, 14.8% of women have had at least one partner of the same sex, this is more than for men (9.3%).
Considering the different practices, attractions and identifications, more than one woman in five (22.5%) and one man in seven (14.5%) are not strictly heterosexual.
The digital revolution is in progress
33% of women and 46.6% of men have had a sexual experience online with another person (the questionnaire includes connecting to a dating site, meeting a sexual partner online, exchanging videos or intimate photos). More precisely, in 2023, 17.9% of women and 23.7% of men have already met a sexual partner on a site or app, including 39.4% of women and 43.5% of men. under 30 years old.
The use of condoms is declining
After a peak in use during HIV prevention campaigns, the use of condoms is decreasing. During their first sexual intercourse, 75.2% of women and 84.5% of men in 2023 used a condom. 49.4% of women and 52.6% of men indicate that they use a condom when they first have sex with a partner they met in the last 12 months.
Rejection of the pill continues to progress
After the media scandal linked to 3 pillse et 4e generation, use of the pill has fallen in a few years, going from 55.8% of women in 2005 to 26.8% in 2023. The intrauterine device becomes the primary method of contraception (27.7%).
Increase in sexual violence
29.8% of women and 8.7% of men aged 18 to 69 report having experienced forced sex or attempted forced sex during their lifetime compared to 15.9% and 4.6% in 2006. The increase is even more marked among 18-29 year olds, going from 16.5% to 36.8% for women and from 4.7% to 12.4% for men.
This increase reflects a greater ability to classify acts as violence and an increase in these events. In the majority of cases, the violence occurred when the victim was a minor.
