26% OF AMERICANS SAID MONEY STRESS MADE THEM AVOID SEX

A ZipHealth financial stress survey found 26% of Americans avoided sex or intimacy because of money worries.

ZipHealth published the results on May 23, 2025. The company said it surveyed 1,000 adults across the United States and the United Kingdom about how finances affect sexual wellness, confidence and connection.

Britons answered much the same way, and slightly more of them said financial stress had led them to avoid sex or intimacy.

The survey also found a confidence problem. ZipHealth reported that 44% of Americans said their financial situation made them feel embarrassed or “not enough” in relationships.

What else the survey found

Many respondents said they turned to solo intimacy as an alternative to partnered sex. ZipHealth reported that 45% of Americans did so.

About three in 10 adults surveyed said they were avoiding dating or new relationships because of economic uncertainty.

Date nights took a hit too. ZipHealth reported that 53% of Americans said a lack of affordable date nights hurt their sex lives, and Britons reported feeling it even more.

Some people said they were stuck. Americans were more likely than Britons to say they had stayed in a romantic or sexual relationship longer than they wanted for financial reasons.

The flip side was a boost for people who felt financially secure. ZipHealth reported that financially satisfied people were up to six times more likely to report sexual and emotional satisfaction in their relationships.

What happened next

Yahoo Lifestyle picked up the findings on July 2, 2025. It repeated the 26% figure for Americans and the finding that a lack of reasonably priced date options harmed sexual experiences.