How common is partnered sex?

We all ask ourselves the question at some point: how much sex should we have per month when we are in a relationship? Sexual intercourse (or coitus) is “a relationship between at least two consenting sexual partners, aimed at developing feelings of sexual, physical and emotional pleasure. This relationship is expressed through erotic games, causing excitement of the senses, even access to orgasm“, reminds us Sandra Saint-Aimé, couples therapist and clinical sexologist. According to her, if the question of the frequency of sexual intercourse arises”it is very frequently because we seek to reassure ourselves“. If all sexuality specialists respond in unison that number does not mean quality and that it varies according to each person, figures make it possible to give averages. The latest were published in November 2024 in the CSF-survey. 2023 carried out by Inserm-ANRS-MIE.

The French are making love less and less

According to the Inserm survey carried out on 31,000 French people (men/women), the frequency of sexual intercourse has decreased over time, for both sexes and in all age groups. In 1992, 86% of women had had sex in the past year; this proportion increased to 83% in 2006 and to 77% in 2023. Likewise, the percentage of men who had sexual intercourse in the past year increased from 92% in 1992 to 89% in 2006 and 82 % in 2023.

The survey also shows that, among people aged 18-69 who had sexual intercourse during the year, the frequency of intercourse in the last 4 weeks decreased from 8.1 in 1992 to 8.6 in 2006 and 6 in 2023 for women and from 9 in 1992 to 8.7 in 2006 and 6.7
in 2023 for men. Women thus have about 6 sexual acts per month i.e. less than 2 per week and men almost 7 per month. A decline observed among singles and couples who live together.

These downward trends in the number and frequency of reports “are also found in other Western countries, notably the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States” note the authors of the survey. For the sexologist, “as long as sexual intercourse remains a moment of shared pleasurewhere everyone takes and receives pleasure, the frequency then naturally becomes that of the number of times we give ourselves the right to open ourselves to sexual pleasure… or not“

What is the average age of first sexual intercourse in France?

According to data published by Inserm in November 2024, the median age at first intercourse in 2023 was 18.2 years for women And 17.7 years for men. For comparison, it was 20 years for women in the early 1960s (18.8 years for men) then 17 years in the mid-2000s (the same for men). Since the end of the 2010s, trends have reversed with an increase in the median age at first sexual intercourse for both sexes. “The rise in the median age at first sexual intercourse is also observed in other countries, notably Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the United States” indicates Inserm.

What is the average number of partners in France?

Women have on average 8 partners (sexual) over the course of life and men 16. A constantly increasing number among women: 3.4 partners in and 4.5 in 2006. For men, these figures are stable between 1992 and 2006 (11 partners) and then increase. Having had several sexual partners per year is increasing especially among young people aged 18 to 29. “MuIncreasing partners does not guarantee better learning about sexuality. because in the end, a quality sexual relationship remains above all a moment of sharing and/or discovery of the facets of our sexuality, as a source of pleasure, enjoyment, and therefore of fulfillment” nuance Sandra Saint-Aimé. The number of partners is not an indicator of any sexual competence.

Until what age do men and women have sex?

Sex life doesn’t end at 50. Currently, 57% of women and 74% of men remain sexually active between the ages of 50 and 89. This is even more true among couples where 77% of women and 85% of men have had sexual activity within 12 months. Furthermore, the difference between men and women is less marked when we take into account satisfaction, which declines with age and more quickly among men than among women. When sexuality poses a problem within a couple, consulting a clinical sexologist can help identify and better understand their sexual needs and discover the means at their disposal to better experience them with the other person.

Thanks to Sandra Saint-Aimé, couples therapist and clinical sexologist.