GITNUXREPORT 2025

Virginity Statistics

Many teens delay sex due to morals, religion, and education awareness.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

About 54% of Americans believe that sex should be delayed until marriage

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The most common reason cited by teens for delaying sex is a lack of readiness

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Approximately 80% of teenagers who abstain from sex cite moral reasons

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Cultural and religious values significantly influence decisions about virginity and premarital sex across different societies

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In some cultures, virginity testing remains a common practice to verify purity before marriage, though this practice is increasingly condemned globally

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Studies indicate that adolescents who abstain from sex often do so for religious or moral reasons rather than fear of pregnancy

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The average age of first sexual intercourse in the United States is around 17 years old

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The median age of first intercourse in the UK is approximately 17 years old

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The decline in teen pregnancy rates in the U.S. is linked to increased abstinence and contraceptive use

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The age at which teenagers first experience sexual intercourse is increasing in some countries due to education and prevention programs

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Approximately 70% of teens who are sexually active report discussing contraception with their partner beforehand

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Approximately 1 in 4 teenagers in the U.S. has had sexual intercourse by age 18

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In a survey, 61% of teens reported that they have not had sexual intercourse

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Nearly 12% of teens have had sexual intercourse before age 13

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In the U.S., about 43% of men and 38% of women aged 18-24 have had sex by age 18

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The percentage of teenagers who are sexually active has decreased over the past decade, from approximately 50% to around 45%

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Among sexually active teens, about 86% reported using contraception the last time they had sex

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Religious teens are more likely to abstain from sex compared to non-religious teens

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In high-income countries, about 41% of 15-year-olds have had sex, while in low-income countries, about 35% have

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The rate of teenage pregnancy related to virginity status varies significantly by country, with some countries reporting over 90% of teens remaining virgins until marriage

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About 85% of adults in the U.S. who remained virgins until marriage report being satisfied with their choice

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The prevalence of virginity among teenagers varies widely by cultural background, with some communities reporting over 95% abstinence until marriage

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In the U.S., the percentage of teens who consider themselves virgins is highest among those with religious affiliations, particularly among evangelical Protestants

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Studies show that abstinent teens are less likely to experience depression compared to sexually active teens

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The percentage of young women who have had their first sexual experience before age 16 is about 25%

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Virginity pledges are made by approximately 20-25% of American teenagers, but only about half of them remain virgins until marriage

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Among college students, about 70% have had sexual intercourse by their second year, with the median age of first intercourse around 17

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The use of abstinence-only education programs in schools correlates with higher rates of virginity among teenagers, according to some studies

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The percentage of men and women who remain virgins until after age 20 has increased slightly in the past decade, especially among women

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The majority of teenagers who have not had sex cite fear of pregnancy or STDs as reasons for abstinence

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In the United States, roughly 40% of teens have had sexual intercourse by age 16, indicating early sexual activity is common but not universal

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Abstinence before marriage is more common among adolescents in rural areas compared to urban areas, according to some surveys

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The rate of teen virginity has remained stable at around 75-80% in many countries, despite changing social norms

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The majority of individuals who remain virgins into adulthood report high levels of personal satisfaction with their decision

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The percentage of teens engaging in vaginal intercourse is higher than those engaging in non-penetrative sex, though percentages vary widely by region

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The average length of abstinence from sexual activity among teens who delay sex is about 2-4 years, depending on the age they first become sexually active

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In surveys, higher levels of parental supervision are associated with higher rates of teen virginity, especially when combined with open communication about sex

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The percentage of women who are virgins at age 25 varies; in the U.S., approximately 10% of women are virgins at this age, often linked to cultural and religious factors

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Around 45% of teenagers who identify as religious have remained virgins until marriage, compared to about 25% of non-religious teens

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The rate of adolescent virginity is higher among females than males in many regions, with cultural expectations influencing gender differences

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Key Highlights

Approximately 1 in 4 teenagers in the U.S. has had sexual intercourse by age 18
The average age of first sexual intercourse in the United States is around 17 years old
About 54% of Americans believe that sex should be delayed until marriage
In a survey, 61% of teens reported that they have not had sexual intercourse
Nearly 12% of teens have had sexual intercourse before age 13
In the U.S., about 43% of men and 38% of women aged 18-24 have had sex by age 18
The percentage of teenagers who are sexually active has decreased over the past decade, from approximately 50% to around 45%
Among sexually active teens, about 86% reported using contraception the last time they had sex
The most common reason cited by teens for delaying sex is a lack of readiness
Religious teens are more likely to abstain from sex compared to non-religious teens
The median age of first intercourse in the UK is approximately 17 years old
In high-income countries, about 41% of 15-year-olds have had sex, while in low-income countries, about 35% have
The rate of teenage pregnancy related to virginity status varies significantly by country, with some countries reporting over 90% of teens remaining virgins until marriage

Despite shifting social norms, nearly three in four American teens remain abstinent until age 18, highlighting the complex interplay of cultural, religious, and personal factors shaping decisions about virginity.

Attitudes and Beliefs about Sex

About 54% of Americans believe that sex should be delayed until marriage
The most common reason cited by teens for delaying sex is a lack of readiness
Approximately 80% of teenagers who abstain from sex cite moral reasons

Attitudes and Beliefs about Sex Interpretation

While a majority of Americans still champion delaying sex until marriage, the core reasons—whether moral or a sense of unpreparedness—highlight that for many teens, the decision is a thoughtful pursuit of readiness and values rather than mere abstinence; ultimately, these statistics remind us that sexual choices are deeply personal and rooted in individual convictions.

Cultural, Religious, and Societal Influences

Cultural and religious values significantly influence decisions about virginity and premarital sex across different societies
In some cultures, virginity testing remains a common practice to verify purity before marriage, though this practice is increasingly condemned globally
Studies indicate that adolescents who abstain from sex often do so for religious or moral reasons rather than fear of pregnancy

Cultural, Religious, and Societal Influences Interpretation

While cultural and religious values continue to shape early attitudes toward virginity, the global decline of virginity testing signals a cautious shift away from outdated notions of purity, highlighting that abstinence among adolescents is more often rooted in moral conviction than mere fear of pregnancy.

Sexual Behavior and Trends

The average age of first sexual intercourse in the United States is around 17 years old
The median age of first intercourse in the UK is approximately 17 years old
The decline in teen pregnancy rates in the U.S. is linked to increased abstinence and contraceptive use
The age at which teenagers first experience sexual intercourse is increasing in some countries due to education and prevention programs
Approximately 70% of teens who are sexually active report discussing contraception with their partner beforehand

Sexual Behavior and Trends Interpretation

While teens in the U.S. and UK are waiting until around 17 to take the plunge, increased education and communication are steadily pushing back the age of first intercourse and helping more young people make informed choices.

Statistics on Abstinence and Virginity

Approximately 1 in 4 teenagers in the U.S. has had sexual intercourse by age 18
In a survey, 61% of teens reported that they have not had sexual intercourse
Nearly 12% of teens have had sexual intercourse before age 13
In the U.S., about 43% of men and 38% of women aged 18-24 have had sex by age 18
The percentage of teenagers who are sexually active has decreased over the past decade, from approximately 50% to around 45%
Among sexually active teens, about 86% reported using contraception the last time they had sex
Religious teens are more likely to abstain from sex compared to non-religious teens
In high-income countries, about 41% of 15-year-olds have had sex, while in low-income countries, about 35% have
The rate of teenage pregnancy related to virginity status varies significantly by country, with some countries reporting over 90% of teens remaining virgins until marriage
About 85% of adults in the U.S. who remained virgins until marriage report being satisfied with their choice
The prevalence of virginity among teenagers varies widely by cultural background, with some communities reporting over 95% abstinence until marriage
In the U.S., the percentage of teens who consider themselves virgins is highest among those with religious affiliations, particularly among evangelical Protestants
Studies show that abstinent teens are less likely to experience depression compared to sexually active teens
The percentage of young women who have had their first sexual experience before age 16 is about 25%
Virginity pledges are made by approximately 20-25% of American teenagers, but only about half of them remain virgins until marriage
Among college students, about 70% have had sexual intercourse by their second year, with the median age of first intercourse around 17
The use of abstinence-only education programs in schools correlates with higher rates of virginity among teenagers, according to some studies
The percentage of men and women who remain virgins until after age 20 has increased slightly in the past decade, especially among women
The majority of teenagers who have not had sex cite fear of pregnancy or STDs as reasons for abstinence
In the United States, roughly 40% of teens have had sexual intercourse by age 16, indicating early sexual activity is common but not universal
Abstinence before marriage is more common among adolescents in rural areas compared to urban areas, according to some surveys
The rate of teen virginity has remained stable at around 75-80% in many countries, despite changing social norms
The majority of individuals who remain virgins into adulthood report high levels of personal satisfaction with their decision
The percentage of teens engaging in vaginal intercourse is higher than those engaging in non-penetrative sex, though percentages vary widely by region
The average length of abstinence from sexual activity among teens who delay sex is about 2-4 years, depending on the age they first become sexually active
In surveys, higher levels of parental supervision are associated with higher rates of teen virginity, especially when combined with open communication about sex
The percentage of women who are virgins at age 25 varies; in the U.S., approximately 10% of women are virgins at this age, often linked to cultural and religious factors
Around 45% of teenagers who identify as religious have remained virgins until marriage, compared to about 25% of non-religious teens
The rate of adolescent virginity is higher among females than males in many regions, with cultural expectations influencing gender differences

Statistics on Abstinence and Virginity Interpretation

While recent statistics highlight a decline in teenage sexual activity and underscore the powerful influence of culture and religion, they also reveal that abstinence remains a deeply personal choice validated by satisfaction, suggesting that the conversation about teen sexuality is as much about respecting individual values as it is about health education.