A startling new Canadian study has revealed a significant decline in sexual activity among adults, with one in five respondents reporting they haven't had sex in the past year. The research, conducted in November 2025, surveyed 1,000 adults about their intimate lives and uncovered troubling trends about emotional disconnection and the rise of digital alternatives to physical relationships.
The Scope of the Intimacy Drought
The comprehensive study, commissioned by Joi AI, found that 20% of adults admitted to not having sexual relations for an entire year, while an additional 14% reported going without sex for two years or longer. Perhaps most surprisingly, 6% of respondents revealed they had never engaged in sexual activity at all.
When comparing their current sex lives to the previous year, the data showed concerning patterns. Only 19% of participants reported having more sex, while 35% stated they were having the same amount or less. The outlook for improvement appears bleak, with 24% of those surveyed expressing little hope that 2026 would bring any sexual reawakening.
Why Are Canadians Having Less Sex?
The research identified several key factors contributing to this intimate drought. Financial and work-related stress emerged as the primary culprit, cited by 43% of respondents as the main reason for their declining sexual activity.
Other significant factors included loneliness (36%), low libido (30%), and mental fatigue (25%). The study noted that these concerns are reflected in search behavior, with Google searches for "Don't have time for sex" surging by 382% in the month preceding the study, while searches for "Too tired for sex" increased by 35%.
Emotional Connection Versus Digital Substitutes
Perhaps the most revealing aspect of the study concerns what people actually miss when intimacy declines. While 30% of respondents reported missing emotional connection overall, only 17% specifically missed sexual activity itself. Twenty percent expressed longing for cuddling and general physical closeness, suggesting that non-sexual touch may be equally important for wellbeing.
The research also uncovered a growing preference for digital alternatives to human intimacy. A substantial 40% of participants admitted they would rather watch pornography than engage in sexual activity with another person. Additionally, 17% preferred sexting to real-life intimacy, while nearly 8% reported using AI companions to fill the emotional void.
Despite these digital trends, a significant portion of respondents indicated they don't use any substitutes for sexual intimacy, highlighting the complex relationship between technology, emotional needs, and physical connection in modern Canadian society.
