The difference between how much sex people would like to be having and how much sex they actually have diminishes with age
Previous YouGov research found that on average British people rate their own sexual performance the lowest out of 13 European countries measured. But this modesty may belie a greater frustration. New YouGov research reveals the gap between Britain's sexual desires and the reality of the situation.
Overall, and excluding those who would rather not say, only 22% of British people are having sex every week or every day, while 56% would like to be having sex this frequently – leaving a national 'sexual deficit' of -34.
This measure of sexual frustration varies significantly by gender and age, however. Women have a lower sexual deficit than men - taken overall, women have an similar sexual deficit to over-60s (-24 compared to -23). Men on the other hand have a deficit of -41, which is equivalent to the least satisfied age-group in terms of quantity, the 18-24s (20% of whom wish they had sex every day).
Most strikingly, the gap gradually diminishes with age. As people progress through life they may have less sex, but they become less concerned about having sex more frequently, as their minds focus on other things.
Data from sex toy distributors has found that the Northern Irish town of Bangor spends more on sex toys than any other UK town, at 6.7 times the national average. As far as countries go, Wales and Scotland are joint first place, spending 1.3 times the UK-wide average. As a whole, the UK spent £315m on sex toys in 2009.
