British sex survey 2014: 'the nation has lost some of its sexual swagger'

Orientation

How would you define your sexuality?
Heterosexual = 92%
Homosexual = 4%
Bisexual = 4%

The proportion of Britons describing themselves as heterosexual has remained consistent, at 92%, since 2008. However, in time, we may see a decrease in this figure, as 21% of those aged 16-24 define themselves as either homosexual or bisexual. Of course, it’s possible that some older respondents now identifying themselves as heterosexual might have described themselves as either homosexual or bisexual when they were this age.

Performance

Rating of sex drive.
Very high sex drive (5) = 11%
High (4) = 23%
Average (3) = 42%
Low (2) = 13%
Very low sex drive (1) = 12%
Mean = 3.08

Rating of sexual performance.
Very good lover (5) = 10%
Good (4) = 23%
Average (3) = 58%
Poor (2) = 6%
Very poor lover (1) = 3%
Mean = 3.31

Rating of the sexual performance of most recent partner.
Very good lover (5) = 16%
Good (4) = 28%
Average (3) = 43%
Poor (2) = 8%
Very poor lover (1) = 4%
Mean = 3.44

Is it a by-product of austerity? The reasons are unclear but the results of our latest poll exploring the sexual attitudes and behaviours of the nation show that the national libido has declined significantly since 2008. Then, 44% of the population rated their sex drive above average. That figure has now fallen to 34% with a corresponding increase in the proportion rating their sex drive as average (42%). While the sex drive of all Britons has fallen, irrespective of gender, men continue to have a markedly higher sex drive than women; 43% of men rate their sex drive above average, compared with 25% of women. The 25-34 age group is the most sexually driven (42% above average) but in an ageing population it is heartening that 21% of pensioners aged 65 or more continue to have an above average sex drive. Libido levels peak in Scotland, where 50% report an above average sex drive.

It’s not just libido that has declined – so has confidence in our own performance. In 2008, 55% of Britons considered themselves to have above average prowess as a lover. That figure has nosedived, to 33%, with the majority (58%) now rating themselves as solidly average. This loss of confidence has been felt particularly acutely by men. Last time around men were significantly more likely than women to rate themselves above average. Now it is just 33% of both genders who rate themselves above average. The youngest, and most inexperienced, have lower than average levels of confidence but the next age group, 25-34, are the most confident of all, with 49% rating themselves above average. Confidence then dwindles as each successive age group reports diminishing levels of confidence.

As confidence has declined, so has performance. It’s certainly true that we rate the performance of our partners less favourably than we did in 2008, when 59% rated the performance of their most recent lover as being above average. That figure has now declined to 34% and we have seen a corresponding drop in the proportion of Britons who are satisfied with their sex lives (76% in 2008, down to 63% in 2014). Young Britons, with a more limited frame of reference, are most likely to be positive in their evaluation of their partners and women are more generous than men in this respect.

The significant period-on-period decline in each of these measures (ie libido, performance, evaluation, satisfaction) suggests that something is amiss and that the nation has lost some of its sexual swagger.

There’s more bad news in that men are now less likely to be happy with the size of their penis. Fortunately the large majority (79%) remain happy but this figure has declined from 86% in 2008. Those in the highest social grade are most likely to be happy with their penis size, with 90% in social grade A reporting satisfaction. Regionally, men in Scotland are the most likely to be happy (88%).

How adventurous do you think your sex life is?
Very adventurous (5) = 9%
Adventurous (4) = 22%
Average (3) = 41%
Unadventurous (2) = 12%
Very unadventurous (1) = 17%

Have you ever used sex aids (such as sex toys)?
Yes = 46%
No = 54%

Just under one in three Britons (31%) describe their sex life as adventurous, although we are most likely to describe it as average (41% do so). Men (33%) are more likely to be adventurous than women (28%) and singles (35%) are more likely to be adventurous than those who are married (26%). However, the biggest peaks can be found within the 25-34 age group (41%) and homosexuals, who are significantly more adventurous than heterosexuals (41% and 29% respectively).

While fewer than a third of Britons consider themselves adventurous, nearly half (46%) have used sex aids such as sex toys. While men are more likely than women to deem themselves adventurous, women are significantly more likely than men to have used sex aids/toys (52% and 39% respectively). Homosexuals (66%) are more likely to have used sex aids/toys than heterosexuals (44%).

Relationships

Are you currently in a stable relationship?
Yes = 72%
No = 28%

How long have you been in your current relationship?
Base = all in a relationship
Less than 6 months = 4%
Between 6 months and 1 year = 5%
Between 1 and 2 years = 5%
Between 2 and 3 years = 7%
Between 3 and 5 years = 9%
Between 5 and 10 years = 15%
Between 10 and 15 years = 13%
Between 15 and 20 years = 7%
Between 20 and 30 years = 11%
More than 30 years = 24%
Mean length = 15.8 years

72% of Britons are currently in a stable relationship. Even within the youngest age group (16-24s), 58% are in a stable relationship. Those defining themselves as bisexual are the least likely to be in a stable relationship (55%).

The average length of current relationships is just under 16 years, with 35% of those in a relationship having been with the same partner for 20 years or more. There is a stark contrast on the basis of sexual orientation with an average current relationship length of 17 years for heterosexuals but just five years for homosexuals.

Do you think it is possible to maintain a happy marriage/relationship without sex?
Yes = 61%
No = 39%

A clear majority of Britons (57%) believe that the most important component of a successful marriage or relationship is trust. This is followed in importance by conversation/communication (26%). Sex is one of the least important factors, with only 2% believing that it is the most important factor in a marriage (down from 11% in 2008). Sex is marginally more important to men (3%) than women (2%) but the figures are very low for both. Even among those with a very high sex drive, only 9% rate sex as the most important factor in a relationship. There is a sense that the importance of sex diminishes over time, with older Britons least likely to identify it as an important factor and younger Britons most likely to say it is important. However, it is still only 5% of the 16-24 age group who believe sex is the most important factor in a relationship.

Considering the relative lack of importance attached to sex, it is perhaps unsurprising that the majority (61%) believe it is possible to maintain a happy marriage/relationship without having sex, an increase from 48% in 2008. This figure is highest among those who are currently married (69%) but even 51% of singles agree. Women (68%) are more likely than men (55%) to believe that a happy relationship can exist in the absence of sex. There is also a clear difference on the basis of orientation, with homosexuals (41%) significantly less likely than heterosexuals (62%) to believe that sex is not necessary to maintain a happy relationship.

Infidelity

Which of the following best describes how frequently you have been unfaithful?
Base = all who have been unfaithful to their current partner
Regularly = 19%
Occasionally = 21%
Rarely = 32%
Only once = 29%

To the best of your knowledge, has your current partner ever been unfaithful to you?
Base = all in a relationship
Yes = 13%
No = 87%

Just 17% of those who are currently in a stable relationship admit to having been unfaithful to their current partner. Men (22%) are almost twice as likely as women (12%) to have been unfaithful to their current partner. Marriage makes little difference to rates of infidelity, with marrieds (18%) actually marginally more likely to have been unfaithful. Rates of infidelity peak among those aged 25-34 (26%), while homosexuals (28%) are significantly more likely to have been unfaithful than heterosexuals (17%).

More than two-thirds (71%) of those who have been unfaithful to their current partner have transgressed on more than one occasion, although it is only 19% of cheats who do so regularly. However, the gender divide is striking; almost half of women (48%) who have been unfaithful say that it only happened once. The comparative figure for men is just 18%.

While 17% of those in a relationship admit to having been unfaithful, only 13% believe their partner has been unfaithful to them. Although 22% of men have cheated, only 12% of women suspect their partner. Conversely, only 12% of women have cheated but 14% of men suspect their partner. It seems that many men are getting away with it while women are unfairly suspected. In terms of infidelity there appears to be an element of tit-for-tat at play, with 39% of those who have been unfaithful saying their partner has also been unfaithful to them.

Have you ever been unfaithful with someone who is a friend of your partner or known to your partner?

Base = all who have been unfaithful to their current partner
Yes = 53%
No = 47%

Do you have any close friends of the opposite sex?
Yes = 67%
No = 33%

Are you sexually attracted to your close friends of the opposite sex?
Base = all heterosexuals who have friends of the opposite sex
Yes – all of them = 4%
Yes – some of them = 40%
No = 56%

We cannot necessarily trust our friends to remain loyal and resist temptation with our partners: more than half of those who have cheated have been unfaithful with someone who is either a friend of their partner, or known to their partner. Again, male cheats (58%) are significantly more likely than female cheats (44%) to cheat with someone who is known to their partner. In general, younger people are more likely to cheat with a friend of their partner.

It seems that we should also be wary about our partner’s own close friends of the opposite sex, especially if our partner is male. Two-thirds (67%) of Britons have close friends of the opposite sex and nearly half (44%) of that group admit to finding at least some of their friends sexually attractive. Again, the gender divide is striking, with women far more likely to have male friends to whom they are not physically attracted; 60% of men say they are sexually attracted to at least some of their close female friends, more than double the number of women (26%) who admit being attracted to their male friends.

Monogamy

Do you believe that monogamy (being faithful to one person) is natural?
Yes = 77%
No = 23%

Do you believe that monogamy (being faithful to one person) is desirable?
Yes = 92%
No = 8%

The majority (77%) of Britons believe that monogamy is natural and an even larger number (92%) believe it is desirable. In both respects there has been an increase in positive attitudes towards monogamy since 2008 (seven percentage points in terms of monogamy being natural; 13 points in terms of monogamy being desirable), a time in which we have seen the importance of sex in a relationship decline.

Women (83%) are much more likely than men (70%) to consider monogamy natural, but there is a less marked difference between the genders when it comes to the desirability of monogamy (93% women and 90% of men). There is a big difference in attitudes between heterosexuals (79%) and homosexuals (46%) in terms of viewing monogamy as natural, but there is close and widespread agreement between sexual orientations regarding the desirability of monogamy.

Among those who are currently in a relationship but have been unfaithful to their partner, nearly half (47%) seek to justify their infidelity with the view that monogamy is not natural. However, even among this group of cheats, 86% believe monogamy to be a desirable state.

Sexual partners

Almost one in five (19%) of Britons lost their virginity before 16, the legal age of consent, but the average Briton is 18 when they lose their virginity. Current 16-24s are losing their virginities at a younger age (16.5) than any other age group did. Those living in London or the south-east tend to lose their virginity later (19) than in the rest of the country. Perhaps surprisingly, there is no clear gender difference in this respect.

The average Briton has had 10 sexual partners, a slight increase from 2008, while just under a quarter (23%) have had more than 10 partners. Men, on average, have had 12 partners, while women have had just seven. Londoners have a lower than average number of partners (nine). Those living in the south-west or Wales have had the most sexual partners (12 on average). Homosexuals and bisexuals tend to have a greater number of partners than heterosexuals, with averages of 12 and nine respectively.

Overall, are you currently satisfied with your sex life?
Yes = 63%
No = 37%

While the average Briton has sex four times a month, one in three Britons does not have sex at all in that time period. The proportion having no regular sex has increased by eight percentage points since 2008, and this is one of the reasons why the overall average has declined (from nearly seven times per month). Only 1% of Britons have sex 31 times or more per month, or an average of once a day. Those who believe they have a very high sex drive have sex eight times per month, on average. Presumably they wish the figure were higher still.

This decrease in regularity may be one of the reasons why the proportion of Britons saying they are satisfied with their sex life (63%) has also decreased since 2008, when 76% were satisfied. Sexual satisfaction levels are higher for those in a relationship than singles, but more than one in four (26%) of those currently in a stable relationship report being dissatisfied with their sex life. Despite having sex slightly less frequently than men, women are more likely than men to be satisfied with their sex life (66% and 60% respectively).

Casual sex

Have you ever had a one-night stand?
Yes = 49%
No = 51%

Have you ever used dating websites to specifically look for casual sex?
Yes, regularly = 4%
Yes, occasionally = 10%
No = 87%

Have you ever had casual sex with someone you met on the internet?
Yes = 14%
No = 86%

Have you ever slept with someone whose name you did not know?
Yes = 20%
No = 80%

Just under half of Britons have had a one-night stand. Men (55%) are more likely than women (43%) to have had a one-night stand, while homosexuals (66%) are significantly more likely to have had a one-night stand than heterosexuals (48%).

One in seven (14%) have had casual sex with someone they met on the internet, a behaviour that is particularly prevalent among Britons aged 25-34 (28%) and living in London (20%). One in five men (20%) have used the internet specifically to look for casual sex and many of these appear to have found what they were looking for, as 18% of men have actually had sex with someone they met on the internet. In comparison, only 7% of women have specifically used the internet to look for sex, although 9% of women have ended up having sex with someone they met online. Use of the internet to look for sex is particularly common among homosexuals, 61% of whom say they have had sex with someone they met online, compared with just 11% of heterosexuals.

One in five Britons has had sex with someone whose name they did not know. Men (29%) are three times more likely than women (10%) to jump into bed without first taking the trouble to ask someone’s name. More than half of homosexuals (55%) have had anonymous sex and the same is true for one in three within the 25-34 age group, who also happen to be the biggest users of the internet to look for sex.

Pornography

Do you believe that your children have ever watched pornography on the internet?
Base: all who have children
Yes = 36%
No = 64%

Do you ever read erotica (eg Fifty Shades of Grey)?
Yes, regularly = 7%
Yes, occasionally = 37%
No = 57%

More than half of Britons (56%) have watched pornography on the internet at least occasionally, with 15% admitting to doing so regularly. There is a clear distinction on the basis of sexuality, with 88% of homosexuals watching internet porn, compared with 54% of heterosexuals.

The 25-34 age group is the most likely to watch online porn (74% do so) but a significant minority (38%) of pensioners aged 65+ also do so. The majority of parents (64%) do not believe their children have ever watched pornography on the internet but the 47% of fathers who believe their children have watched online porn is twice the number of mothers (24%) who believe the same. Are mothers in denial?

Reading erotica such as Fifty Shades of Grey is less common but still popular, with 43% of Britons doing so at least occasionally. What is striking is the gender difference between watching online pornography and reading erotica. While men are far more likely than women to watch online porn, the opposite is true of reading erotica; 53% of women read erotica at least occasionally, compared with 32% of men, while 76% of men have watched porn online compared with just 36% of women. There is a degree of overlap between those reading erotica and those watching online porn but they are also quite discrete groups: among those who never watch online porn, 37% read erotica, while among those who regularly watch online porn, 50% never read erotica.

Erotica appears to be particularly popular in the higher echelons of society, with 62% of social grade A Britons reading it.

Do you believe that watching pornography on the internet has had an effect on your expectations for your sex life?
Base: all who have watched pornography on the internet
Yes = 28%
No = 72%

For a significant minority (28%) of those who watch online porn, the practice has had an effect on their expectations for their own sex life. The more frequently online porn is viewed, the more likely it is to have an impact on expectations; 41% of those who regularly watch report an impact, compared with 21% of those who watch occasionally. This impact is not necessarily negative, however. Indeed, those who consider themselves to be very good lovers are significantly more likely to watch online porn than those who consider themselves very poor lovers (73% and 48% respectively). Likewise, those who consider themselves to be sexually adventurous are more likely to watch porn than those who consider themselves to be unadventurous (84% and 43% respectively). Is pornography used for inspiration and education? It is also noticeable that among those who watch porn, the impact on expectation is most pronounced among those who are married, suggesting it may help to add some spice to long-term relationships.

Homosexuality

While only 8% of the population define their sexual orientation as either homosexual or bisexual, double that number (16%) have had a degree of sexual contact with someone of the same sex: 18% of women have had sexual contact with another woman, while 15% of men have had sexual contact with another man. Among those who define themselves as heterosexual, 12% have had sexual contact with someone of the same gender. Those in the youngest age group have had the most same-sex contact, 22% for 16-24s and 26% for 25-34s.

Do you believe that it is right that same-sex couples can now get married?
Yes = 63%
No = 37%

Do you believe that it is right for same-sex couples to adopt children?
Yes = 61%
No = 39%

Do you believe that the age of consent for homosexual sex should be the same as it is for heterosexual sex?
Yes, it should be the same age = 74%
No, it should be higher = 26%

In the six years since the Observer last conducted this research, national attitudes towards homosexuality have become noticeably more liberal in a number of ways. First, in 2008, three years after civil partnerships were introduced, 55% of Britons supported the right of same-sex couples to marry. That proportion has now increased to 63%. There is a clear correlation between attitudes and age, with the large majority of young Britons supporting gay marriage; 83% of 16-24s support gay marriage, compared with just 34% of those aged 65+. A majority of both genders support gay marriage but men are far more likely than women to oppose the right of same-sex couples to wed (45% and 30% respectively).

There has been an even larger increase in the proportion supporting the right of same-sex couples to adopt children since 2008, when a minority (44%) of Britons supported the idea. That figure has now increased to 61%. There are similar demographic patterns to those previously observed, with women (71%) more likely than men (50%) to support the right to adopt, and younger Britons more open to the idea than older Britons. What is interesting is that the figures do not differ wildly on the basis of sexual orientation. Indeed 37% of homosexuals do not believe it is right for same-sex couples to adopt children.

There has also been a marked period-on-period increase in the proportion of Britons who believe it is right that the age of consent for homosexual sex is the same as it is for heterosexual sex. In 2008, 60% of Britons felt the age of consent should be equal and that figure has now increased to 74%.

Do you think that gay sex should be made illegal?
Yes = 16%
No = 84%

Attitudes to homosexuality are clearly becoming more liberal but there are still pockets of resistance. In total, 16% of Britons continue to believe that homosexuality should be outlawed. Men (19%) are more likely than women (13%) to advocate the banning of gay sex, and rejection of homosexuality peaks in London and the south-east, where more than one in five (21%) feel it should be illegal. However, at a total level, the proportion of Britons who believe gay sex should be illegal has reduced by eight percentage points, from 24%, since 2008.

Race and difference

Have you ever had sex with someone of a different colour to you?
Yes = 29%
No = 71%

Would you ever consider having sex with someone of a different colour to you?
Yes = 77%
No = 23%

The increasing liberalisation of sexual attitudes is not restricted to issues of homosexuality. The proportion of Britons who would consider having sex with someone of a different colour stands at 77%, up from 57% in 2008. Almost a third (29%) of Britons have already had sex with someone of a different colour, in line with the levels previously recorded. Men are significantly more likely than women to have done so (36% and 23% respectively) and also to consider it in future (86% and 77% respectively). Some 40% of the 25-34 age group have had sex with someone of a different colour, making them the most likely to have done so. The youngest (16-24s) are most likely to consider it in future, however (89% would do so). More than half of homosexuals (66%) have had sex with someone of a different colour while the same is true for just 28% of heterosexuals. Those living in London or the south-east are, perhaps unsurprisingly considering the larger ethnic minority population in the capital, most likely to have had sex with someone of a different colour (38%), while those living in the north are the least likely to have done so (24%). Among those who have previously had sex with someone of a different colour, 97% would be happy to do so again and among those who have not, 67% would consider it in future.

Have you ever had sex with someone with a physical disability?
Yes = 7%
No, but I would not rule it out = 50%
No, and I don’t think I would = 44%

44% of Britons would not consider having sex with someone who had a physical disability, 50% would not rule out the possibility, while 7% have already had sex with someone with a disability. We have seen an increase in the numbers who have had sex with someone with a disability since 2008, when 4% reported they had. More striking is the large-scale change in attitudes towards the issue since 2008, when 70% of Britons said they didn’t think they would have sex with someone with a disability. Men (10%) are more likely than women (4%) to have already done this, but there is little difference between the genders attitudinally.

Prostitution

Have you ever visited a prostitute?
Yes = 11%
No = 89%

Would you ever consider paying for sex?
Base = all who have never visited a prostitute
Yes = 7%
No = 93%

Do you believe that prostitution should be legalised?
Yes = 62%
No = 38%

More than a fifth (22%) of British men have visited a prostitute. This represents a four-percentage-point increase since 2008 and a seven-point increase on 2002 levels. One of the reasons for this increase over time is the high numbers of younger British men visiting prostitutes; use of prostitutes is highest among men aged 25-34. In contrast, fewer than 1% of British women have paid for sex; 11% of all Britons have done so.

In addition to the 11% who have previously used prostitutes, 7% of those who haven’t would consider doing so in future. Again, it is men who are most likely to contemplate paying for sex (14% would do so). In total, 32% of British men have either visited a prostitute already or would consider doing so in future, an increase from 27% of the male population in 2008.

Considering the high numbers who have used, or would consider using, the services of a prostitute, it is unsurprising that a majority of Britons (62%) believe that the practice should be legalised. Indeed, there has been a sharp increase in the proportion of Britons supporting the legalisation of prostitution since 2008, when 51% supported it. Prostitutes’ clientele is almost exclusively male and 69% of men favour legalisation. However, 59% of women concur.

Would you consider having sex for money if the amount offered was large enough?
Yes, definitely = 13%
Yes, would consider it = 28%
No = 58%

More than one in three Britons (42%) would at least consider having sex for money if the amount offered was large enough: 13% say they would definitely have sex for money if the price was right. More than half of all men (55%) would at least consider having sex for money, nearly double the amount of women who would do the same (29%). While singles (49%) are more likely to consider selling themselves, 38% of married Britons would also consider it.

Contraception & STDs

Have you ever had a sexually transmitted disease?
Yes = 11%
No = 89%

Have you ever had an HIV test?
Yes = 21%
No = 79%

Men, on average, have significantly more sexual partners than women so it is unsurprising that they are at greater risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease (STD). About 13% of men have had an STD at some point, compared with 9% of women. In total, 11% of Britons have had an STD, down from 12% in 2008. Despite this slight reduction, the proportion who have been tested for HIV (21%) has increased by two points since 2008 and eight points since 2002. Homosexuals are significantly more likely than heterosexuals to have contracted an STD (39% and 9% respectively) but there is relatively little difference in the likelihood of being tested for HIV (23% of homosexuals have, compared with 20% of heterosexuals). The 25-34 age group are the most likely to have contracted an STD (21%) and also the most likely to have been tested for HIV (36%).

How worried are you about sexually transmitted diseases in general?
Very worried = 7%
Fairly worried = 21%
Not particularly worried = 37%
Not at all worried = 36%

Which of the following is closest to your own views about HIV and Aids in this country?
Only homosexuals and intravenous drug users are at risk from HIV = 3%
HIV presented a huge risk in the past but is now under control = 11%
Everyone is at risk from HIV if they do not take the necessary precautions = 86%

Do you think the government should spend more money on education and information policies about HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases?
Yes = 73%
No = 27%

Do you always practise safe sex with new partners?
Yes = 74%
No = 26%

While the numbers contracting STDs have remained stable, the proportion of Britons who say they are worried about STDs has continued to fall. In 2002, 52% of Britons said they were either “very” or “fairly” worried about STDs. This figure fell sharply, to 35%, in 2008 and has fallen again, to 28% in 2014. This decline in concern could be attributed to younger generations growing up in the period after fears of an HIV epidemic in the UK abated. Indeed, the view that HIV represented a huge risk in the past but is now under control is most prevalent among 16-24s. However, this analysis appears overly simplistic; it is a relatively small minority of 16-24s who hold this view (20%) and it is actually this age group who are the most likely to be worried about STDs (44% are worried).

The continuing decrease in concern regarding STDs could suggest complacency, a sense that is reinforced by the decline, albeit from a high base, in the number of Britons who believe the government should spend more money on education and information policies about HIV and other STDs (81% in 2008, 73% in 2014). However, the vast majority of Britons (86%) continue to believe that everyone is at risk from HIV if they do not take the necessary precautions. These attitudes have remained consistent over time. Despite this acknowledgement of the continued threat posed by HIV, 26% of Britons admit that they do not always practise safe sex with a new partner. Even among those who have previously contracted an STD, 24% do not routinely practise safe sex and 16% leave questions of contraception to their partner. Last time we asked, equal numbers of men and women failed to practise safe sex. Now we see that men are more likely to have unprotected sex than women (30% and 22% respectively). Men are also more likely to leave decisions around contraception to their partner.

Do you believe that children in school are…?
Provided with too much information about sex = 19%
Provided with too little information about sex = 41%
Provided with about the right amount of information about sex = 40%

About 41% believe that children in school today are provided with too little information about sex. It is noteworthy that those who have had the most recent personal experience of sex education in schools are the most likely to feel that children are provided with insufficient information; 66% of those who are currently aged 16-24 believe that children are provided with too little sex education, an increase from 54% among this age group in 2008.

Cosmetic surgery

Which of the following best describes your opinion of cosmetic surgery?
I have had cosmetic surgery in the past and would have it again = 3%
I have had cosmetic surgery in the past and would not have it done again = 4%
I have not had cosmetic surgery but would consider it in the future = 19%
I have not had cosmetic surgery and would not consider it in the future = 74%

Would you be any more likely to consider cosmetic surgery if you thought it would enhance your sex life?
Base: all who have not had cosmetic surgery
Yes, definitely = 3%
Yes, possibly = 17%
No = 80%

Has cosmetic surgery had an effect on your sex life?
Base: all who have had cosmetic surgery
Yes, it has enhanced my sex life = 40%
Yes, it has had a negative effect on my sex life = 38%
No, it has had no impact on my sex life = 22%

Just 7% of Britons have had some form of cosmetic surgery in the past, while one in five would consider it in future. Those considering it may want to first speak to someone who has already had cosmetic surgery, more than half of whom would not have it done again. Women are three times as likely as men to consider having cosmetic surgery in future (28% and 9% respectively) and young Britons aged 16-34 are most likely to have either already had some form of cosmetic surgery (19%) or consider it in future (25%). Despite the popularity of cosmetic surgery among young Britons, the large majority of the population (74%) would never consider cosmetic surgery, and this figure has increased from 61% in 2008.

Among those who have not previously had cosmetic surgery, one in five would be more likely to consider it if they thought it would enhance their sex life. However, anyone considering cosmetic surgery on that basis should, once more, discuss with someone who has already had cosmetic surgery, the majority of whom (78%) say the surgery has had an impact on their sex life. However, they are evenly split on whether the impact has been positive or negative. Intriguingly, men are significantly more likely than women to say that cosmetic surgery has had a negative impact on their sex life (52% and 13% respectively) although it does not necessarily follow that women are more likely to report a positive impact. Indeed, women are most likely to say it has made no difference to their sex life.

Sex & work

Have you ever had sex with a work colleague?
Yes = 36%
No = 64%

Would you ever sleep with someone to further your career?
Yes = 14%
No = 86%

While the national sex drive has declined over the past six years, we are increasingly likely to be thinking about sex while we’re at work. Since 2008, the number having sex with a work colleague has increased by 10 percentage points, to 36%. Among those who are currently in full-time work, 42% have had sex with a colleague, often in the place of work itself. 22% of current full-time workers have had sex in their place of work, most commonly with a colleague (19% have done so) but not exclusively. Men (38%) are more likely than women (33%) to have slept with a work colleague, and they are also much more likely than women to have done so in their place of work (24% and 15% respectively).

Despite the tough economic climate, there is no evidence to suggest this spurt in office romance is attributable to cynical ploys to get ahead. While it is true that a significant minority (20%) of current full-time workers would sleep with someone to further their career, this figure has fallen by two points since 2008. Men (22%) are three times as likely as women (7%) to sleep with someone to boost their prospects at work and 15% of married Britons would cheat on their partner if they felt it would help them ascend the career ladder. Among those who have previously slept with a work colleague, one in four would sleep with someone to further their career, suggesting that many of these previous encounters may have been prompted by cynical motives.

Paedophilia

Do you believe children are more at risk from paedophiles than they were… 10 years ago?
Yes = 59%
No = 41%

… 20 years ago?
Yes = 59%
No = 41%

… 50 years ago?
Yes = 55%
No = 45%

A majority of Britons (59%) believe that children are more at risk from paedophiles nowadays than they were even 10 years ago. This perception is likely to be reinforced by the recent arrests of high-profile suspected paedophiles on an unprecedented scale. Women (68%) are more likely than men (50%) to believe that children are more at risk these days, and concern peaks among those with the longest memories, ie those aged 65 or older, 73% of whom believe that children are more at risk from paedophiles than they used to be.

METHODOLOGY

A sample of 1,052 UK adults was interviewed by Opinium Research between 8 and 14 July 2014 via an online methodology, ensuring absolute anonymity. Interviews were conducted with respondents across the country and the results have been weighted to reflect the profile of all UK adults. Not all percentages add up to 100 due to rounding.