A new study analyzing sexual behavior has identified which countries globally and in Europe are driving the trend toward ‘free relationships.’ To understand these dynamics, NEWSROOM IN categorized nations into two groups: liberals (characterized by multiple partners and early sexual debut) and conservatives (defined by monogamy and a later start). This analysis is based on a new study that combines data from the Sociosexual Orientation Index (SOI), the Global Promiscuity Index (GPI)—which measures age of first experience, number of partners, STI rates, social approval of premarital sex, and legal norms—and Durex surveys.
The research revealed interesting patterns: while some countries are setting records for the number of lifetime sexual partners, others remain committed to a traditional, monogamous lifestyle.
Global Champions (World)
Globally, leadership is held by countries characterized by a high degree of personal freedom and liberal legislation. Australia (360.14 points) is the absolute global leader, boasting the highest cumulative index score, averaging 13.3 lifetime partners and a debut age of 17.9 years. Brazil (340.66) holds the record for the earliest sexual debut globally (17.4 years). Greece (336.53) ranks third worldwide and first in Europe by cumulative activity index.
Global Outsiders (World)
On the opposite pole are Asian countries characterized by deep traditions and conservative upbringing. India (169.73) holds the lowest score in the ranking, averaging only 3 lifetime partners and a late sexual debut (nearly 23 years old). Next is China (170.04), with figures virtually identical to India’s—3.1 partners. Meanwhile, Malaysia (175.55) has the latest average age of sexual debut globally, at 23 years.
Europe: Regional Leaders and ‘Quiet’ Countries
Europe exhibits a clear division between the ‘liberal’ North and West and the more ‘reserved’ East and Center.
European Regional Leaders:
- Southern Europe: Greece and Italy (11.8 partners). Italy leads in the sheer number of partners but lags behind Greece in the social freedom index.
- Western Europe: Germany (322.41) and Switzerland (316.16). Germany demonstrates high openness, although the average number of partners there is moderate (5.8). The United Kingdom leads in the number of ‘one-night stands.’
- Northern Europe: Finland (304.47) and Iceland (288.55). Iceland is the absolute European record-holder for early sexual debut (15.6 years), while Finland has the highest number of partners among industrialized countries.
- Central Europe: Czechia (305.50). This is the most liberal country among the former Soviet bloc nations (with a debut age of 17.2 years).
European Outsiders:
- Poland (254.65) maintains one of the lowest indices in Europe (6 partners, debut at 19 years). This is attributed to the strong influence of Catholic traditions.
- Slovakia (276.78) reports the lowest average number of partners in the EU (just 5.4).
- Croatia (246.49) has the lowest cumulative Global Promiscuity Index (GPI) among the European countries listed.
