Statistics Netherlands (CBS) comes today with the remarkable conclusion: the over-75s have more sex than in 2014. In that year, 16 percent of the elderly said they had had sex, in 2022 27 percent of the over-75s sexually active.
We make love en masse less
And that while the rest of the Netherlands has sex less often. Of all Dutch people aged 16 or older, 7 in 10 reported having had sex in the past year, which is less than in 2014, Statistics Netherlands reports. At that time, 74 percent of all Dutch people had had sex.
The largest decrease took place among young people, Statistics Netherlands reports. In 2014, 63 percent of 16 to 25-year-olds were still sexually active, compared to 56 percent last year.
How is that possible? Statistics Netherlands does not answer that question, although the statistics office does report that people who live with their partner are more likely to get upset than people who live alone.
Hanneke de Graaf, who conducts research into sexuality at the Rutgers expertise center, may have an explanation for the less sexist young people. Because Rutgers has also seen a decrease in the number of young people having sex in recent years.
‘Everything must be perfect’
It may be due to the great pressure they experience in society, De Graaf thinks. “Everything has to be perfect, so your first time sex too,” says the researcher to RTL Nieuws. “That makes young people afraid to make a mistake.” Social media has also made young people more cautious in the sexual field: a sexual blunder can quickly end up on the street via Instagram, Snapchat or another platform.
It is not surprising that De Graaf also finds it not surprising that the number of lovemaking is also decreasing in all other age categories – except for the over-75s.
“We think this is because people are very busy these days,” she explains. This is due to social media, but also because people work more. “Making time for each other is just really good for your sex life.”
1950s vs. 60’s
And the elderly? Today’s over-75s grew up in a different time than the over-75s ten years ago. Namely: the free 60s versus the conservative 50s. That can also make a difference in how people view sex later in life. And in addition, the elderly may now be fitter and healthier than in 2014. “That certainly benefits sexuality,” says De Graaf.
