--- title: "Gen Z reports financial stress impacts dating and sex lives" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/health/gen-z-reports-financial-stress-impacts-dating-and-sex-lives" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/gen-z-reports-financial-stress-impacts-dating-and-sex-lives" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/health/gen-z-reports-financial-stress-impacts-dating-and-sex-lives.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/gen-z-reports-financial-stress-impacts-dating-and-sex-lives" category: "Health" area: "United States" published: "2026-09-23T22:05:31.507Z" source_reported: "2026-09-23T20:16:09.000Z" updated: "2026-09-23T22:05:31.507Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 61 hype_score: 41 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-24T01:08:31.262Z" --- # Gen Z reports financial stress impacts dating and sex lives *A Kinsey Institute study found economic concerns are a major factor in reduced sexual activity among young adults.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. The central claim is attributed to the Kinsey Institute and Julie, and corroborated by two independent outlets. - Craft 61 of 100, higher is better. The reporting clearly separates facts from comment and provides specific figures, dates, and places. - Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. The headline uses sensational language like 'sex recession' and 'broke to have sex'. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Financial concerns are a major barrier to dating and romantic relationships for 43% of U.S. adults aged 18-29, according to a Kinsey Institute study. - Nearly two in five (37%) of young adults surveyed reported that financial stress negatively affected their sex lives. - A significant portion of Gen Z reported low sexual activity, with 29% having no sexual partners in the past three months and 19% never having had a partner. - Condom use is inconsistent, with only 35% of respondents typically using them, and about a third have never been tested for STIs. Economic pressures are significantly affecting the dating and sexual activity of young adults in the United States, according to a study by the Kinsey Institute. The survey of 2,373 U.S. adults aged 18-29 found that financial concerns were a primary reason for difficulties in dating and maintaining romantic relationships. This economic strain also had a direct negative impact on their sex lives. The study, which examined attitudes and behaviors related to the so-called "sex recession," revealed that 29% of respondents had zero sexual partners in the past three months, and 19% had never had a partner. Despite this low level of sexual activity, many respondents did not report significant distress, suggesting that sexual activity may be less central to their overall well-being than previously assumed. However, the data indicates that opportunity, rather than a lack of desire, is a key factor. Beyond financial barriers, other factors contributing to dating difficulties include dating exhaustion, fear of rejection, and changing social norms. Additionally, the study highlighted concerns about sexual health, with only 35% of respondents reporting typical condom use and approximately one-third indicating they had never been tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). ## Disagreement on specific figures While the Kinsey Institute study surveyed 2,373 U.S. adults aged 18-29, one report stated the survey included nearly 2,400 young adults. Another report indicated that 39% of respondents found financial instability a barrier to romance, while the verified claim states 43% reported financial concerns made dating harder. ## What the coverage left out None of the left-rated reports mentioned that approximately a third of respondents reported never having been tested for STIs. None of the centre-rated reports mentioned that approximately a third of respondents reported never having been tested for STIs. None of the right-rated reports mentioned that only 35% of respondents reported typically using condoms, or that approximately a third reported never having been tested for STIs. ## Who covered it Shares of the 26 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 42% (11) - Centre: 39% (10) - Right: 19% (5) 7 of 33 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-24T01:08:31.262Z. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 14 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-24T01:30:11.176Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Left-rated reports led on the financial barriers Gen Z faces in dating and sex. They highlighted that 43% of respondents found financial concerns made dating harder and 37% reported financial stress negatively affected their sex lives. These reports also noted that 29% had zero sexual partners in the past three months and 19% had never had one. The inconsistency in condom use (35% typically used them) and STI testing (a third never tested) was also a focus. Some reports framed the situation as a "sex recession" driven by economic factors, with one headline stating "Gen Z Is Too Broke to Have Sex." ### Centre - Centre-rated reports focused on the "sex recession" among Gen Z, with headlines frequently stating "Sex recession? Study finds young adults having less sex." They reported that the Kinsey Institute surveyed 2,373 American adults aged 18 to 29 to understand attitudes and behaviors behind this phenomenon. Key findings included that 43% of respondents cited financial concerns as a barrier to dating and relationships, and 37% experienced negative impacts on their sex lives due to financial stress. The low rates of sexual activity, with 29% reporting no partners in three months and 19% never having had one, were also noted. ### Right - Right-rated reports highlighted the low sexual activity among Gen Z, with headlines such as "Huge number of Gen Z-ers who have not had sex in the last three months revealed." They reported that the Kinsey Institute surveyed 2,373 American adults aged 18 to 29. The finding that 29% of respondents had no sexual partners in the past three months and 19% had never had one was a prominent detail. One report also mentioned that 43% of respondents said financial concerns made it harder to date or maintain romantic relationships. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 5 - high: 11 - unknown: 7 - veryHigh: 10 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Il Quotidiano d'Italia](https://ilquotidianoditalia.it/perche-i-giovani-fanno-meno-sesso-stipendi-bassi-affitti-alti-e-relazioni-fragili) — Sex and Money Related Binomial - [Columbia Gorge News](https://columbiagorgenews.com/news/national/sex-recession-study-finds-young-adults-having-less-sex/article_5ab49b54-a0a7-5a32-87c5-76a13f09be26.html) — Sex recession? Study finds young adults having less sex - [Daily Post-Athenian](https://dailypostathenian.com/news/national/article_0c69bb76-79b3-529b-b279-c2dc504ef0b7.html) — Sex recession? Study finds young adults having less sex - [KHQ Right Now](https://khq.com/news/syndicated/sex-recession-study-finds-young-adults-having-less-sex/article_bfa553b0-b839-58d4-96ea-4bb7cf517325.html) — Sex recession? Study finds young adults having less sex - [Maquoketa Sentinel-Press](https://maqnews.com/news/national/sex-recession-study-finds-young-adults-having-less-sex/article_023a59cb-2818-54d1-a2fa-529f145af884.html) — Sex recession? Study finds young adults having less sex - [News-Graphic.com](https://news-graphic.com/news/national/sex-recession-study-finds-young-adults-having-less-sex/article_ceb23ac3-10a3-5f61-8996-f2bc79f79c53.html) — Sex recession? Study finds young adults having less sex - [Rochester Sentinel](https://rochsent.com/news/national/sex-recession-study-finds-young-adults-having-less-sex/article_490760b5-72be-582b-91a7-be36324e50bc.html) — Sex recession? Study finds young adults having less sex - [The Daily Courier](https://thedigitalcourier.com/news/national/sex-recession-study-finds-young-adults-having-less-sex/article_b158a217-a287-5ba7-ba17-6113cac21028.html) — Sex recession? Study finds young adults having less sex - [The Daily Herald](https://rrdailyherald.com/news/national/sex-recession-study-finds-young-adults-having-less-sex/article_77bc31d1-2ef2-500a-a3b3-991209c5ab47.html) — Sex recession? Study finds young adults having less sex - [Tioga Publishing](https://tiogapublishing.com/news/nation/sex-recession-study-finds-young-adults-having-less-sex/article_d66a9ce5-89b5-5f17-aa0f-76ee32dbfac6.html) — Sex recession? Study finds young adults having less sex - [Watauga Democrat](https://wataugademocrat.com/news/national/sex-recession-study-finds-young-adults-having-less-sex/article_8f7d60ad-a6f7-54d8-800c-ab50afc55567.html) — Sex recession? Study finds young adults having less sex - [ashepostandtimes.com](https://ashepostandtimes.com/news/national/sex-recession-study-finds-young-adults-having-less-sex/article_f0a2e414-1da8-5696-b7ed-e4e3ae56a042.html) — Sex recession? Study finds young adults having less sex - [gonzagabulletin.com](https://gonzagabulletin.com/news/national/sex-recession-study-finds-young-adults-having-less-sex/article_87c0cf70-aec3-5765-bbe7-9d43bb383ec1.html) — Sex recession? Study finds young adults having less sex - [stonecountyenterprise.com](https://stonecountyenterprise.com/news/national/sex-recession-study-finds-young-adults-having-less-sex/article_403b49a0-7fde-5566-9a95-fed920668afa.html) — Sex recession? Study finds young adults having less sex - [CoMo BUZ](https://comobuz.com/news/national/sex-recession-study-finds-young-adults-having-less-sex/article_be852e1e-a0d2-5924-94e8-e076c13f7be7.html) — Sex recession? Study finds young adults having less sex - [The Avery Journal-Times](https://averyjournal.com/news/national/sex-recession-study-finds-young-adults-having-less-sex/article_fb7fc9d6-66e9-5708-9cc9-20424e974837.html) — Sex recession? Study finds young adults having less sex - [The Penn](https://thepenn.org/news/national/sex-recession-study-finds-young-adults-having-less-sex/article_df1f7ca7-5816-5258-9e9a-f8ac62aebd1d.html) — Sex recession? Study finds young adults having less sex - [charitonleader.com](https://charitonleader.com/news/national/article_643014d1-6105-55fc-b5d8-ef9959db0667.html) — Sex recession? Study finds young adults having less sex - [IFLScience](https://iflscience.com/the-gen-z-sex-recession-is-real-says-new-survey-as-modern-life-inflates-the-price-tag-on-dating-is-safety-falling-by-the-wayside-84725) — The Gen Z “Sex Recession” Is Real, Says New Survey. As Modern Life Inflates The Price Tag On Dating, Is Safety Falling By The Wayside? - [Cosmopolitan](https://cosmopolitan.com/relationships/a73826938/can-gen-z-afford-to-date-or-have-sex) — The Economy Is the Biggest Reason Gen Z Isn’t Dating or Having Sex, According to Data - [New York Post](https://nypost.com/2026/09/23/lifestyle/the-gen-z-sex-recession-why-young-adults-are-having-less-sex) — Gen Z’s sex recession is real, but not by choice. I should know — I’m living it. - [Agi.it](https://agi.it/scienza/news/2026-09-23/generazione-z-meno-sesso-39185365) — Too Much Social and Little Money, Generation Z Has Less and Less Sex - [Newsweek](https://newsweek.com/why-is-gen-z-not-having-sex-they-may-be-too-broke-to-date-12474993) — Why is Gen Z Not Having Sex? They May Be Too Broke To Date - [Hollywood Unlocked](https://hollywoodunlocked.com/new-survey-reveals-gen-z-is-too-broke-to-have-sex) — New Survey Reveals Gen Z Is Too Broke To Have Sex - [The Sun](https://thesun.co.uk/health/40463561/gen-z-no-sex-months) — Huge number of Gen Z-ers who have not had sex in the last three months revealed - [Elite Daily](https://elitedaily.com/relationships/gen-z-sex-recession-living-with-parents) — There’s An Obvious Reason For The Gen “Z Sex Recession” That No One Is Clocking - [People](https://people.com/gen-z-is-too-broke-to-have-sex-12134760) — Gen Z Is Too Broke to Have Sex, Survey Finds - [NewsFinale](https://newsfinale.com/us/gen-zs-sex-recession-study-reveals-a-generation-having-less-sex) — Gen Z’s Sex Recession: Study Reveals a Generation Having Less Sex - [Mashable](https://mashable.com/life/kinsey-playboy-julie-survey-sex-recession-gen-z) — Sex recession is real but complicated, Kinsey Institute reports - [dailymail.com](https://dailymail.com/sciencetech/article-16150897/Gen-Z-sex-RECESSION-study-reveals.html) — Gen Z are in a sex RECESSION, study reveals - [Phys.org](https://phys.org/news/2026-09-state-sex-gen-recession-real.html) — The state of sex among Gen Z: Is the sex recession real? - [Britské listy](https://blisty.cz/art/136285-studie-generace-z-zaziva-sexualni-recesi.html) — Studie: Generace Z zažívá "Sexuální Recesi" - [USA Today](https://usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2026/09/22/gen-z-less-sex-living-with-parents/91795929007) — More Gen Zers are living with their parents. It's impacting their sex lives ## Questions **What percentage of young adults are not dating due to financial concerns?** According to a Kinsey Institute study, 43% of U.S. adults aged 18-29 reported that financial concerns made it harder for them to date or maintain romantic relationships. This indicates a significant impact of economic pressures on romantic pursuits among this demographic. **How has financial stress affected the sex lives of young adults?** The study found that 37% of young adults surveyed reported that financial stress negatively affected their sex life. This suggests a direct link between economic difficulties and sexual activity or satisfaction among Gen Z. **What percentage of Gen Z has had little or no sexual activity?** The Kinsey Institute study revealed that 29% of young adults surveyed had zero sexual partners in the past three months, and 19% had never had a partner. This points to a low level of sexual activity within this age group. **What are the findings regarding sexual health practices among Gen Z?** The study indicated inconsistent sexual health practices, with only 35% of respondents typically using condoms. Furthermore, approximately one-third of young adults surveyed reported never having been tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/health/gen-z-reports-financial-stress-impacts-dating-and-sex-lives. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Gen Z reports financial stress impacts dating and sex lives", https://mediabias.news/health/gen-z-reports-financial-stress-impacts-dating-and-sex-lives