Sexual Debut Ages in Heterosexual Norwegians across Six Birth Cohorts

Abstract

This study aims to estimate six different sexual debut ages in heterosexual Norwegians in six birth cohorts of the general population in Norway. The results are based on a 2020 national web panel survey of 18–89-year-olds in Norway (n = 4160). There was a general decline in the median debut age from those aged 70+ to those 18–29 (born 1991–2002). Oral sex with a female partner has become increasingly common among men at an earlier age across generations. The same pattern was found in women as well with regard to oral sex with a male partner and receptive anal sex. There was a slight increase in median debut age in 18–29-year-olds for receptive vaginal sex (born 1991–2002). The median debut age for vaginal sex was fairly stable for generations of men and women born after 1950.