The report “Sexual and reproductive health and rights 2024” has taken the pulse of Swedes’ relationship to sex. The survey, which is based on survey responses from over 15,000 participants between the ages of 16 and 84, shows that half of all women and men are very or fairly satisfied with their sex lives.
Younger and middle-aged women are slightly more satisfied with their sex lives than men. At the same time, lack of sexual desire is widespread among women, with almost half of those aged 30–44 reporting a lack of interest in sex in the past year.
It is an age when many people have children, often young ones, which could play a role, says Maria Granvik Saminathen, investigator at the Swedish Public Health Agency and one of the report authors.
Hard to say no
When it comes to the freedom to control one's own sex life, there are both gender and age differences. Men generally report a lower ability to set boundaries than women. It is especially older men who say they cannot always say no to sex or decide what type of sex they want.
"We don't know what's behind it, but it could be that older men feel pressure to conform to traditional masculine roles where they are expected to be always ready for sex. We see that the differences are blurring in younger generations, where norms may be different," says Maria Granvik Saminathen.
According to the report, men have their sexual debut on average at 17.5 years of age and women at 16.9, and most feel that they can say no to sex and choose their own partner without demands from their family.
Among young women, one in three report experiencing physical pain during or after sex.
Vulnerable young people
Young women are also significantly more likely than men to be subjected to sexual violence and harassment, both physically and in digital environments. Nearly one in six women reported that they had been subjected to attempted sexual intercourse against their will. An equal number responded that someone had had intercourse with them, or done something sexual to them, when they were in a vulnerable or helpless situation.
Despite this, only one in ten of those who have been subjected to sexual violence have sought support or treatment.
Unfortunately, it looks about the same as in 2017, when we last had a similar survey, says Maria Granvik Saminathen.
