How Common Is Anal Sex [Statistics]

Anal sex, often shrouded in taboo and misinformation, is a topic of increasing interest and debate. This report provides a comprehensive statistical overview, exploring how many people have tried anal sex, the frequency of the activity, and the level of enjoyment reported by Americans. We also delve into the diversity of anal play experiences, public comfort levels in discussing these activities, and international prevalence rates. With detailed insights into normalization trends and common myths, this report aims to demystify the subject and present the factual landscape of anal sex today.

Here’s what we’ve covered in this report:

Key Findings

  • 40% have tried anal sex (both genders)
  • 69% of women have tried anal sex, and 32% of men have tried anal sex
  • People have anal sex on an average of 2.57 times pr. month
  • Especially women are suffering injuries/health problems after anal sex: Increased rates of fecal incontinence and anal sphincter injury after anal intercourse
  • Greece is the country with the highest prevalence of anal sex, with 55% reported to have tried it (49% in Switzerland and Mexico, and 45% in Denmark).
  • 16- to 24-year-olds engaging in heterosexual anal intercourse has risen from 12.5% to 28.5% over recent decades
  • Search volume for anal sex videos increased by 120% from 2009 to 2015
  • 16.7% have tried pegging dildos
  • Anal sex is overall perfectly healthy and safe in both the long and short term.
  • 42% of the ones that practice anal sex say they like it
  • 85% of gay men have tried anal sex, and 60% have it regularly
  • 52.8% have been attempting anal toys
  • 1 out of 10 is very uncomfortable with talking about anal sex
  • Possible side effects of anal sex; Increased Risks of STIs, Colon perforation, worsened hemorrhoids, and Increased risk of fistula
  • If you’ve had a bath 3-5 hours before you’re clean and can enjoy anal sex

How Many Have Tried Anal Sex

  • 28% of Americans have never tried anal sex
  • 35-55% have tried anal sex
  • 69% of women have bottomed compared to 32% of men who tried it

The Frequency of Anal Sex (per month)

  • Americans have anal sex an average of 2.57 times 
  • Gay/lesbians partake about 6.91 times
  • Identified straight have anal sex about 1.85 times 
  • Bisexuals have anal sex about 3.05 times
  • Men have anal sex about 3.13 times
  • Women have anal sex about 1.66 times

Do Americans Enjoy Anal Sex

  • 42% say it’s significantly or somewhat more pleasurable
  • 20% stated it’s significantly or somewhat  less pleasurable
  • 38% say it’s just the same

How Many Men Have Topped or Bottomed

  • 84.9% have tried both topping and bottoming 
  • 94.3% have bottomed
  • 90.6 have topped

What Types of Anal Play Have Americans Tried

  • Anal Sex (72.1%)
  • Using Anal Toys or Fingers on their own body (52.8%)
  • Using Anal Toys or Fingers with Someone Else (48.9%)
  • Analingus – Received (42%)
  • Analingus – Given(41.6%)

How Comfortable Are Americans On Discussing Topics About Anal Sex

As topics about anal sex become less taboo, the following statistics show how comfortable Americans are in discussing this topic:

  • 44.3% said that they are somewhat or very comfortable talking about anal sex
  • 21.3% stated they are somewhat uncomfortable
  • 11.9% mentioned that they are very uncomfortable
  • 22.4% of the respondents stated they are neutral when it comes to discussing anal sex

What Types of Anal Play Each Generation Has Tried

The data shows that millennials are the most likely generation that has tried anal sex, pegging, and other types of butt play. A lot of Gen Z respondents, on the other hand, have also tried certain kinds of butt play, compared to Gen X and Millennials.

ActivityGenerationPercentage
Anal SexGen Z69%
Millennials74%
Gen X69%
PeggingGen Z16.1%
Millennials17.7%
Gen X14%
Anal Toys or Fingers (Self)Gen Z63.7%
Millennials53.2%
Gen X40.3%
Anal Toys or Fingers (Someone Else)Gen Z43.5%
Millennials52.7%
Gen X38.8%
Analingus (Received)Gen Z35.7%
Millennials43.7%
Gen X41.9%
Analingus (Given)Gen Z41.7%
Millennials41.9%
Gen X37.2%

The Countries With The Highest Prevalence of Anal Sex

The country that has the most anal sex is Greece, with 55% of the population who have tried anal sex at least once.

The second place with the highest prevalence of people who have tried anal sex goes to Switzerland and Mexico, where 49% of the population has tried anal sex.

In third place comes Denmark, where 45% have tried anal sex at one point.

RankCountry% who have tried anal sexReferences
1Greece55.0%Source
2Switzerland49.0%Source
3Mexico49.0%Source
4Denmark45.0%Source
5Brazil41.0%Source
6Sweden39.0%Source
7Australia37.7%Source
8US37.5%Source
9Croatia36.0%Source
10Italy33.1%Source
11New Zealand33.0%Source
12UK28.5%Source
13Poland14.0%Source
14South Africa12.1%Source
15China6.0%Source

Normalization of Anal Sex

  • Search volume for anal sex videos increased by 120% from 2009 to 2015
  • 35% of women and 15% of men are engaging in anal sex in 2017
  • In 2014, the majority of the 130 teens surveyed said that they had engaged with anal sex and it was often painful.

Common Myths About Anal Sex

  • Anal sex is for gay men only.
  • Anal sex is dangerous.
  • You just need to spit, instead of using lube, when doing anal sex.
  • Anal sex is still going to hurt.
  • You will poop while doing anal sex.

Possible Side Effects of Anal Sex

  • Increased Risks of Transmitting Sexually Transmitted Infections(STIs)
  • Colon perforation
  • Worsen Hemorrhoids
  • Increased risk of fistula

Risk Factors Associated with Unprotected Anal Intercourse

  • Frequent drug use
  • Partnerships with incarcerated men
  • Binge alcohol use
  • Multiple partnerships
  • Exchange sex partnerships