Sex Doll Statistics – Market & Industry Report

Sex Dolls have become increasingly popular over recent years in sync with how the sex toy market has expanded exponentially.

In this study, we aggregated purchasing data from 8 of the biggest sex doll retailers, and production data from 3 of the biggest manufacturers. We additionally ran a survey on more than 8,000 people and used online tools to figure out the online interest in sex dolls.

Here’s what you’ll find in the most comprehensive statistical study on sex dolls ever:

Key Takeaways

  • 9.7% of American Men have a sex doll.
  • 6.1% of American Women have a sex doll.
  • The Global Market for Sex Dolls is worth 3.2 Billion $
  • The US Market for Sex Dolls is worth 1.2 billion $
  • The Sex Doll market is expected to increase with a 7-9% CAGR by 2030.
  • The average sex doll owner is a male aged 30-50 years old.
  • China is the country that produces most sex dolls.
  • 1 out of 10 people do not use the sex doll they have bought.
  • 65% of people who have a sex doll use it regularly (minimum one time a month).
  • 7 out of 10 people who bought a sex doll did not talk with their partner before buying it.
  • 47.6% of sex doll owners use the doll to foreplay.
  • The 3 biggest sex doll webshops are:
    • Joylovedolls.com
    • Realdoll.com
    • Siliconewives.com
  • There are 130,000 monthly searches on Google for “sex doll” and “sex dolls” in the US alone (There are 201,000 searches for “dildo” and “dildos”).
  • The first recorded commercial sex doll was created in the 17th century by Dutch sailors.

Sex Doll Sales: How Many Own A Sex Doll?

  • 9.7 percent of American men over 18 have bought and own a sex doll.
  • 6.1 percent of American women over 18 have bought and own a sex doll.
  • 2.8 billion dollars worth of sex dolls are sold annually (making up around 8% of the total 40.6 billion dollar annual sex toy industry).
  • The global market for sex dolls has been experiencing steady growth. Estimates varied, but some reports suggested a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 7% to 9% in the preceding years.
  • The demand for sex dolls was notably high in regions like North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. China was a major producer, with several leading manufacturers located there (Find the biggest manufacturers of sex dolls further down)
  • The majority of sex doll consumers were reported to be male, typically ranging in age from 30 to 50s. However, there was a growing interest from female consumers and couples as well.
Global Sex Doll Market

Especially in recent years, as people have been self-isolating making it harder to meet a ‘real’ partner. Remote-controlled sex toys have also increased heaps in the last couple of years.

During the outbreak of COVID-19 sex doll sales shot up by 75 percent, making 2020 the record sex doll sales year with 2.4 billion dollars worth of sex dolls sold.

US Sex Doll Market

Sex Doll Usage and Consumer Behavior

How are sex dolls used? Solo or with a partner? And, how often?

These are all questions that our survey of more than 8000 people provides answers for:

So first up, do people even use their sex dolls, or have they been bought just for fun?

  • 86.8% of people use the sex dolls they buy.
  • 13.2% do not use the sex doll they have bought.
  • 13.6 million American men own and have used a sex doll at one point (8.6 million women also own and have used a sex doll).
Have you ever used your sex doll(s)?

Of those respondents, who said they had used a sex doll before, we asked them “How often?“:

  • 65% of people who have tried a sex doll use it regularly (at least once a month).
  • Around 20% of people who have tried a sex doll only did it that one time.
How often do you use your sex doll

The question now becomes, how do people use their sex dolls?

  • Only 50% of sex doll users use the toy during intercourse with a partner.
  • The primary use of sex dolls is for solo masturbation (if you’re interested in buying a sex doll, then find the best here).
How do you use your sex doll

With so many people using the doll together with their partner, it is interesting that only around 27% talked with their partner before deciding to buy a sex doll.

It can partly be related to the fact that 18.8 percent only tried the doll one time, and 13% never even used it: meaning it might have been bought as a gimmick for a party; for that person as a gift; alternatively, they regretted the purchase exactly because they didn’t talk about it before.

Did you talk with your partner before buying a sex doll

Why Do People Buy Sex Dolls?

We asked the sex doll owners, why they originally bought a sex doll. Was it for sexual purposes, as a gift or gag, or did they want a doll for a platonic relationship? Alternatively some other reason?

Almost 4 % buy a sex doll because of “other” reasons than the three main ones. Here are some of the written answers we received on the reasons:

  • We bought it as a Halloween scare-doll.
  • I am creating an art piece of sex toys and needed a big silicone sex doll to be the centerpiece.
  • I wanted to build my own and create a business creating them, so I was researching.
  • I don’t know, I just did. I haven’t used it.
  • Why not.
  • It sparked my interest, didn’t have a “goal” of buying it.
Why did you buy a sex doll

Competitive Landscape

The sex doll industry, characterized by its niche market and technological advancements, exhibits a competitive landscape marked by a mix of established manufacturers and emerging players. The competition is driven by innovation, quality, and the ability to cater to diverse consumer preferences.

Top 3 Largest Manufacturers

  1. RealDoll (Abyss Creations): Known for pioneering high-end, lifelike silicone sex dolls, RealDoll is a dominant player in the market. They are recognized for their customization options and have started integrating AI technology into their products.
  2. WM Dolls: Based in China, WM Dolls is one of the largest manufacturers globally, known for producing a wide range of TPE sex dolls. They are notable for their detailed craftsmanship and competitive pricing.
  3. DS Doll (Doll Sweet): Another leader in the industry, DS Doll is renowned for its realistic silicone dolls and advanced robotic features. They have also ventured into developing AI-driven capabilities for their dolls.
  4. Irontech doll: Last leader in the industry. Their brand stands out as one of the most trusted and fastest-growing in the sector, underscored by their impressive sales record, consistent participation in major industry events worldwide, and robust social media following. These achievements reflect their commitment to excellence and innovation in serving their customers

Top 11 Largest Online Webshops

The online retail space for sex dolls is diverse, with numerous webshops offering products from various manufacturers. Key players include:

  1. Joylovedolls.com
  2. Realdoll.com
  3. Siliconewives.com
  4. Sexyrealsexdolls.com
  5. Yourdoll.com
  6. Tantaly.com
  7. Rosemarydoll.com
  8. Sexollgenie.com
  9. Zlovedoll.com
  10. Moon-doll.com
  11. Uloversdoll.com

Market Potential

#1 Book mentions

First of all, we wanted to investigate whether people are interested in sex dolls, and not surprisingly found that it’s an area that’s uprising (as seen in the illustration below). More specifically we took a look at the average occurrences of the word “sex dolls” in every book available.

The most recognizable growth can be seen after entering the newest century. After 2000 we saw a rapid increase in the use of the word “sex dolls” in books. This can indicate both a heightened knowledge about it as a type of sex toy, as well as a de-tabloidization of sex toys and dolls alike.

Book searches for sex dolls

#2 Online Coverage

Next, we took a look at the online searches for “sex doll” since 2004.

Interestingly we see a spike in 2018 (where the red “I” is). In mid-2018 “sex doll brothels” became a thing that popped up all over the world and caught huge attention. It is less popular today but received a lot of interest in 2018.

Else as we say with the mentions of “sex dolls” in books we do also see a slowly increasing trend around sex dolls. It does though look like it has found its normal level. But that can of course quickly be changed due to e.g. Artificial Intelligence which can make the dolls more realistic because they can talk and move (read more about this technology in our sex robot statistics here).

Online searches for sex doll

Source: Google Trends

#3 Monthly Searches on Google

There are on average 130,000 monthly searches on Google for “sex doll” and “sex dolls” in the US alone. Globally this number is 387,000 searches.

And this excludes long-tail searches like: “Robot sex doll”, “BDSM sex doll”, “Japanese sex doll”, etc.

Comparing this to the monthly searches on “Dildo” and “Dildos” which has 201,000 searches on Google in the US and globally 961,000 searches.

In other words, sex dolls are a mentionable part of the sex toys that people are looking for.

As we venture deeper into the 21st century, the sex doll industry continues to evolve, driven by technological advancements and changing societal attitudes. The future of sex dolls appears to be shaped by several key trends:

  • Technological Innovation: The sex doll industry is increasingly incorporating cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. These advancements are not only enhancing the physical realism of sex dolls but are also introducing interactive capabilities. AI-powered dolls can offer more personalized experiences, including conversations and responses to human interaction, signaling a shift from mere physical objects to more interactive, humanoid companions.
  • Material Advancements: The development of new materials that are more durable, flexible, and realistic to the touch is significantly impacting the industry. Silicone and TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) are currently popular, but future materials may offer even greater realism and durability, potentially including self-healing skins or temperature-regulating features.
  • Social Acceptance and Legal Challenges: As sex dolls become more lifelike and mainstream, they face both increasing acceptance and new legal challenges. On one hand, their growing prevalence in media and online platforms is normalizing their use. On the other hand, ethical and legal debates, particularly regarding dolls resembling minors or non-consenting individuals, are prompting calls for regulation.
  • Therapeutic Uses: There’s a growing recognition of the potential therapeutic uses of sex dolls. They are being explored as tools for sexual therapy, helping individuals with social anxieties, disabilities, or those recovering from trauma and loss. This therapeutic angle could greatly influence the industry’s direction, emphasizing emotional and psychological benefits over purely physical aspects.
  • Diversity and Customization: As demand grows, so does the need for diversity in the types of dolls available. This includes dolls of different ethnicities, ages, body types, and even non-human dolls. Customization options allow consumers to tailor dolls to their specific desires, which could lead to a more inclusive and personalized market.
  • Ethical Considerations and Future Regulations: The future of sex dolls is also closely tied to ethical considerations. Questions about objectification, consent, and the impact on human relationships are at the forefront of discussions. How regulators respond to these concerns, including potential restrictions or guidelines, will significantly shape the industry’s trajectory.
  • Market Expansion and Economic Impact: The global market for sex dolls is expected to continue its growth trajectory. This expansion is not limited to direct sales of dolls but also encompasses related industries such as accessories, maintenance products, and even virtual reality integrations. The economic footprint of the sex doll industry is set to expand, potentially influencing broader market trends in technology and entertainment.

In conclusion, the future of sex dolls appears to be robust, marked by technological innovation, increased social acceptance, and expanding market opportunities. However, this future is also riddled with ethical, legal, and societal challenges that must be navigated carefully. The industry’s ability to balance these factors will likely determine its long-term viability and societal impact.

Fun facts

  • Ancient Origins: The concept of sex dolls dates back centuries. Sailors during the Age of Discovery would create makeshift dolls out of cloth and leather to accompany them on long sea voyages.
  • First Commercial Doll: The first recorded commercial sex doll was created in the 17th century by Dutch sailors.
  • Material Evolution: Early sex dolls were made from materials like ivory, leather, or cloth. Today, they are typically made from silicone or TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), which provides a more realistic look and feel.
  • World War II and The Borghild Project: During World War II, it was rumored that Nazi Germany initiated the Borghild Project to create sex dolls for soldiers to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections. However, the existence of this project is widely debated and may be a myth.
  • Artificial Intelligence: Modern high-end sex dolls can incorporate AI, allowing them to hold conversations, respond to touch, and even learn from their interactions with humans.
  • Therapeutic Use: Beyond their obvious applications, sex dolls are sometimes used in therapeutic settings to help people with social anxiety, and disabilities, or to aid in the recovery from the loss of a partner.
  • Customizable Features: Today’s sex dolls can be highly customized, allowing buyers to choose specific body types, facial features, skin color, and even personality traits in AI-enabled models.
  • Cultural Impact: Sex dolls have been featured in various forms of media, including movies, TV shows, and documentaries, reflecting their complex role in modern culture.
  • Environmental Considerations: The environmental impact of sex dolls, particularly their disposal, has become a topic of discussion. Because they are made from materials that are not biodegradable, finding environmentally friendly ways to recycle or dispose of them is a growing concern.
  • Legal and Ethical Debates: Sex dolls have been at the center of legal and ethical debates, particularly concerning dolls that resemble children or non-consenting adults. Some countries have specific laws regulating their manufacture and sale.