The average number of sexual partners has changed, it is not the same for men as for women

A vast study, carried out by Inserm, ANRS and Santé publique France, on the sexuality of the French reveals changes over the last three decades.

Age of first intercourse, number of partners, variety of practices, questioning of the heterosexual norm or even digital sexuality… Everything was scrutinized. Published this Wednesday, November 13, a study carried out over the last five years by Inserm, ANRS and Public Health France among 32,000 people reveals that the sexuality of the French has evolved over the last thirty years. Among the points covered, the average number of sexual partners. This one is on the rise.

Thus, we learn that in 2023, women aged 18 to 69 reported having had, on average, 7.9 partners over the course of their lives, or 4.5 more than 30 years ago. Indeed, in 1992, the figure of 3.4 partners was put forward, compared to 4.5 in 2006. A figure, however, far from that declared by men. Men, for their part, claimed to have had 16.4 partners on average. A figure up compared to 2006 (11.9) and 1992 (11.2).

The French also have more partners in the same year, we learn, particularly young people aged 18 to 29. A difference between women and men is again noted. While 9.6% of women declared in 1992 to have had several sexual partners in the last year, they were 19.3% in 2006 and 23.9% in 2023, compared to 22.9% among men in 1992. 29% in 2006 and 32.3% in 2023.

The study also tells us that more French people say they are “very satisfied with their current sex life”: 45% of women and 39% of men. A questioning of the heterosexual norm is also noted, with 8.8% of women and 8.9% of men aged 18-89 who claimed in 2023 to have already had at least one partner of the same sex during their life. . Inserm, ANRS and Santé publique France observe that sexual violence is increasingly reported, which may reflect, according to the study, “both an increase in the capacity to qualify acts of violence and a increase in the frequency of such events, but also greater ease in discussing them in the context of research. Finally, insufficient prevention emerges during sexual intercourse, with 75.2% of women and 84.5% of men who confided in 2023 to having used a condom during their first sexual intercourse, compared to 85% among women in 2023. 2004-2006 and more than 90% among men.