Let’s be real. If you try to find a straight answer about what percent of Gen Z males have anal sex, you’re usually met with a wall of academic jargon or weirdly sanitized health brochures. It’s a topic people whisper about, or worse, base their entire knowledge of on whatever’s trending on X or TikTok. But the data—actual, peer-reviewed data from places like the Guttmacher Institute and the CDC’s National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG)—paints a much more nuanced picture than the "sexual revolution" headlines suggest.
Gen Z is weirdly contradictory. We're the most sexually fluid generation, yet we're having less sex overall than our parents did at the same age. It's a "sex recession," as some researchers call it. But when Gen Z does get down to it, the menu of activities looks a bit different than it did in 1995.
Understanding the Statistics: What Percent of Gen Z Males Have Anal Sex?
The numbers aren't a single, flat percentage. They vary wildly based on sexual orientation, which is something a lot of surface-level articles totally ignore. If you look at the most recent NSFG data—which is the gold standard for this stuff—roughly 36% to 40% of all males aged 18 to 24 report having had anal sex at least once in their lives.
That’s a big chunk.
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But wait. If you narrow that down to just heterosexual Gen Z males, the number dips. It usually hovers around 30% to 33%. Contrast that with the LGBTQ+ community within Gen Z, where the lifetime prevalence is significantly higher, often cited above 70% for gay and bisexual men.
Why the gap? Cultural scripts.
For a long time, anal sex was framed almost exclusively as a "gay" activity in the Western public consciousness. That’s changing. Gen Z males, more than any generation before them, are separating physical acts from identity. You’ve got a lot of straight guys who view it as just another "base" to hit, largely influenced by the ubiquity of internet pornography where these acts are mainstreamed.
But here’s the kicker: just because they’ve tried it doesn't mean it's a weekly occurrence. When you look at "past year" or "past month" data, those percentages plummet. Most Gen Z males are "one and done" or "occasional" rather than making it a core part of their sexual routine.
The Pornography Effect and "Performance"
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. Porn.
Gen Z is the first generation to grow up with high-speed internet in their pockets from puberty. Researchers like Dr. Nicole Prause have looked into how this affects sexual expectations. For many Gen Z males, their understanding of what "counts" as a full sexual encounter has been warped by a screen.
It’s a bit of a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s destigmatized certain acts. On the other, it’s created this weird pressure. Some guys feel like they should be into it because it’s what they see online, even if they or their partners aren't actually that interested in the logistics of it.
Honestly, the logistics are a lot. It’s not like the movies. There’s prep. There’s risk. There’s the awkwardness of talking about it. And Gen Z, for all its digital bravado, is actually quite risk-averse.
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Health Realities: The STIs Nobody Mentions
If you're looking at what percent of Gen Z males have anal sex, you also have to look at the health outcomes. The CDC has been ringing the alarm bells for years about rising rates of Syphilis, Gonorrhea, and Chlamydia among young people.
Here is a reality check: the rectal lining is incredibly thin. It’s much more susceptible to micro-tears than vaginal tissue. This means the transmission rate for STIs is significantly higher during unprotected anal sex.
- HIV Risk: Even with modern medicine like PrEP, the risk of transmission is highest through receptive anal sex, but insertive partners are still at a higher risk than they would be with other types of intercourse.
- HPV and Warts: Gen Z has the benefit of the HPV vaccine, which is great. But many guys missed their window or only got one dose.
- The "Silent" Infections: A lot of rectal infections are asymptomatic. You don't know you have it until you’ve passed it on to three other people.
Despite being the "info at your fingertips" generation, many Gen Z males are surprisingly clueless about "barrier methods" (aka condoms) for anything other than vaginal sex. There's a persistent myth that if you're not worried about pregnancy, you're in the clear.
Is the Number Growing or Shrinking?
You'd think the number would be skyrocketing, right?
Not exactly.
While the openness to talk about it has increased, the actual frequency is somewhat plateauing. This is part of the broader trend of "sexual sobriety" among younger people. We're seeing more Gen Z men prioritize emotional connection or, frankly, just staying home and playing video games or scrolling Reels.
Also, Gen Z is much more focused on consent and communication.
Past generations might have pushed through an uncomfortable situation. Gen Z is more likely to pause and say, "Actually, I'm not feeling this." This emotional intelligence actually leads to fewer impulsive sexual acts, including anal sex, which requires a high level of trust and preparation.
Practical Advice and Health Next Steps
If you are part of that 30-40%, or you’re thinking about it, don't just wing it. The internet is full of "how-to" guides, but most of them are trying to sell you a specific brand of lube.
Prioritize High-Quality Lubrication
Silicone-based lubes stay slick longer, but they can ruin your toys. Water-based lubes are safer for everything but dry out fast. Never, ever use "household" oils. They can cause infections and break down condoms instantly.
The 48-Hour Rule for Testing
If you've had a new partner, don't just get a standard urine test. If you are engaging in anal sex, you need a rectal swab. Most standard "pee in a cup" tests will miss infections located in the rectum. Be specific with your doctor. They’ve heard it all before; you won't shock them.
Communication is the Only Way
It sounds cheesy, but "vibe checks" are essential. If you can't talk about the messy parts of sex, you probably shouldn't be having the complicated parts of sex. Gen Z is great at "therapy speak"—use it here. Discuss boundaries, safewords, and expectations before the clothes come off.
Get the HPV Vaccine
If you’re under 26 and haven't finished the Gardasil series, do it now. It prevents the strains of HPV that cause both genital warts and various cancers. It’s one of the few actual "cancer shots" we have.
Understanding the statistics is fine for a sociology paper, but in the real world, your personal health and comfort matter way more than whether you’re in the "33%" or the "67%." The trend for Gen Z is moving toward intentionality. Whether that means more anal sex or less, the goal is for it to be safer and more consensual than it was for the Boomers or Gen X.
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Actionable Steps for Sexual Health:
- Schedule a full-panel STI screen that specifically includes extra-genital (rectal and throat) swabs if you are sexually active.
- Verify your vaccination status for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and HPV.
- Invest in a high-quality, paraben-free lubricant to minimize tissue irritation.
- Practice "Internal Consent"—ask yourself if you're doing something because you want to or because you feel like you're supposed to based on what you see online.