February 2001 World Headlines

Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - Web posted at 8:56:02 AM GMT

People have sex 96 times a year on average
MARJOLEIN HARVEY

PEOPLE around the world have sex on average 96 times a year, a new sex survey reports.

The 2000 Durex Global Sex Survey, carried out in 27 countries worldwide, reveals almost two-thirds (64 per cent) of people make love at least once a week, while four per cent claim to have sex every day.

It's the 25 to 34 year olds who are setting the pace with an average of 113 times a year, compared with those aged 16 to 20 (89) and way ahead of the over 45s (67).

The survey by Durex, the world's leading condom brand, shows couples living together are more sexually active than anyone else, with 146 sessions a year, compared with married people (98) and singles not in a relationship (49).

Globally, it's the Americans who have more sex than any other nation at an average 132 times a year, followed by the Russians (122), French (121) and Greeks (115)."

"This comprehensive survey is the largest ever undertaken by Durex and highlights the sexual attitudes and behaviour of people in 27 countries across the globe," says Leigh Taylor, marketing director of SSL International, the manufacturers of Durex condoms.

The 2000 Durex Survey shows Americans also have sex younger than any other nation at an average age of 16,4 years - slightly younger than the Brazilians (16,5) and the Germans (16,9) and well below the global average of 18,1.

The Chinese lose their virginity later than any other nation at almost 22.

The survey found that today's young people are losing their virginity earlier than previous generations.

Those aged between 16 and 20 are having sex for the first time at the age of 16, compared with 18 for the 25 to 34 year olds and 18,9 for the over 45s.

Younger people (16 to 20 year olds) are far more likely to listen to the safer sex messages than the older generations with more than nine in 10 (92 per cent) using contraception.

Awareness is much lower among the over 45s with almost a quarter (24 per cent) not protecting themselves from sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancy.

- misanet.com-Woza

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