Why do some men never have sex?

A new study involving more than 400,000 people reveals why some of us never engage in sexual relationships. It turns out that it’s not just a matter of personal choice, but also a complex interplay of personality, health, environment, and even genes. The findings are particularly intriguing when it comes to men. / ^_Research

Who studied this, and how?

Scientists from the University of Amsterdam Medical Center, the University of Queensland in Australia, and the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics in Frankfurt have joined forces to investigate this issue. They analyzed data from 405,000 Britons (aged 39 to 73) from the UK Biobank database, as well as 13,500 Australians. The study focused on hundreds of characteristics, ranging from mental health and intelligence to social connections and physical traits. In addition, they examined genetics to understand which genes might be associated with a lack of sexual experience.

Who are these people?

Примерно 1% участников (около 4 тысяч человек) сообщили, что у них никогда не было секса. И вот что их отличает:

• Social isolation: They tend to feel lonely more often, socialize less with friends and family, and have fewer close people they can trust.
• Health and Habits: These people drink less alcohol, smoke less often, and use their smartphones less frequently. Men, incidentally, demonstrated less physical strength—for example, they have a weaker handgrip.
• Intelligence and Education: They are often well-educated and possess genes associated with high IQ and high social status.
• Where do they live?: Men with no sexual experience are more common in regions where there are more men than women, or where there are significant income disparities.

Genetics also plays a role: in men, 17% of the differences are explained by genes; in women, — 14%. Scientists have observed a link to genes responsible for intelligence, education, and even neurological conditions such as autism.

"We see people who are more withdrawn and, as a result, often face difficulties in finding a partner," says Brandon Zitsch, one of the study's authors.

Why is this important?

Sex isn’t just a private matter. It affects our well-being, our relationships, and even society as a whole. People who lack sexual experience often feel lonely, anxious, or depressed. This is particularly noticeable among men in regions with social inequality or a surplus of men. Some of them may join so-called “incel” communities—groups where resentment toward society sometimes escalates into radical views.

From an evolutionary perspective, abstinence from sex is a kind of dead end, since such people are less likely to have offspring. Scientists speculate that the genes associated with this trait have become less common over the past 10,000 years, as they reduced the chances of reproduction.

Without judgment

It's important to understand that the absence of sex isn't always involuntary. Some people choose this path consciously—for example, asexuals. The study does not divide people into “volunteers” and “those who were forced to participate,” but merely identifies the factors associated with this. The researchers emphasize that their work is not about judgment, but about understanding.

Furthermore, the data is based on what people have reported about themselves, which isn’t always accurate. Men may exaggerate their experiences, while women may downplay them. So conclusions—especially genetic ones—should be treated with caution.

This study is like a mirror that reflects just how complex and multifaceted our world is. It reminds us that behind personal stories lie not only choices, but also genes, environment, and even social inequalities.