Surveys show more Gen Z adults choosing celibacy by choice

In short: More young adults, especially Gen Z, say they are choosing celibacy on purpose, and it is becoming more socially acceptable in some circles.

What's going on

Several recent surveys and media reports suggest celibacy is having a “cultural moment.” That means it is showing up more in conversation, online posts, and personal stories, and it is less likely to be treated as embarrassing.

One study from the Kinsey Institute and DatingAdvice found that over one-third of Gen Z single adults identify as celibate. It also found that more than 15% of men and nearly 18% of women said they were celibate intentionally. A separate Psychology Today summary of a survey of 1,500 adults reported that about 1 in 6 women and 1 in 10 men had chosen a temporary break from sex and dating.

Social media is also helping shape the tone around it. Elle reported that the TikTok hashtag #celibacy has more than 165 million views, with people sharing “one year” updates and talking about pressure-free living. Some of the messaging treats celibacy like hitting pause on dating, the way you might pause a subscription to focus on other priorities.

Reasons given are often practical rather than religious. People cite personal growth, mental health, dating burnout, safety concerns, and money stress. Survey results also suggest the stigma is dropping, with one dating app survey reporting that more than 80% of respondents said friends were supportive or neutral.

What to watch

Celibacy is not the default for most adults, and it is not seen as “cool” everywhere. Still, if more people keep treating it as a normal choice, dating culture could shift toward slower timelines, clearer boundaries, and more acceptance of being single.

Source: NYTimes