When it comes to sex, it’s so easy to get caught up in what’s ‘normal’ or what’s ‘supposed’ to happen—whether it’s how often you should do it or how long it should last. And while there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, it turns out that sex duration can vary significantly from country to country. According to a recent survey by the adult dating site Saucy Dates, they asked 3,836 heterosexual people aged 18 to 50 about their sex lives, and the results are quite revealing!

Globally, when women were asked, ‘How long would you like sex to last?’, the average answer was 25 minutes and 51 seconds. Men were almost in sync with their desires, clocking in at an average of 25 minutes and 43 seconds. However, reality told a different story, with reported durations ranging from a blink-and-you-miss-it second to a marathon hour.

Is there a perfect length of time for sex? Not really! Your sex life should be all about what feels right for you and your partner. Some people love a quickie, others prefer to linger, and both are perfectly okay. Rachel Needle, Psy.D., licensed psychologist and certified sex therapist in West Palm Beach, Florida, emphasizes, ‘There are a number of health and relationship benefits to sex, and deciding how much sex is too little or too much is not helpful—it’s about satisfaction and communication.’

Dr. Michael Krychman, MD, OB/GYN, sexual medicine gynecologist and the executive director of the Southern California Center for Sexual Health and Survivorship Medicine, echoes this sentiment: ‘There is no right or wrong frequency and duration of sexual interludes. Couples readjust to a satisfying frequency of sexual intimacy, and this varies with life circumstances.’ In other words, there’s no need to stress over numbers!

Still curious about how others are getting it on? Here are the findings from the Saucy Dates survey, with details on which countries last the longest. Spoiler alert: People in the United States are leading the charge!

1. United States

Survey respondents in the U.S. had an impressive staying power of 17 minutes and five seconds, significantly above the international average.

2. Canada

Our neighbors to the north aren’t far behind, with a solid 17 minutes flat, especially excelling until the age of 28.

3. United Kingdom

Folks in the UK peak in their early 30s, with an average of 16 minutes and 58 seconds.

4. Australia

Aussies are steady performers throughout life, particularly at age 45 and above, averaging 16 minutes and 34 seconds.

5. India

Participants in India come in slightly below the international average at 15 minutes and 15 seconds, but they come close to the global mark by age 50.

The survey discovered that the overall average time for sex around the world is roughly 15 minutes and 10 seconds. Dave Minns, Founder of Saucy Dates, noted, ‘We initially wanted to see if men exaggerated their bedroom performance, but surprisingly, their timings matched the women’s. Age-related differences offered some intriguing insights, too, which might give the younger generation something to look forward to!’

Sex Is Different For Everyone

Rushing to conclude that longer sex equals better sex? Let’s slam the brakes on that thought! Everyone defines sex differently, and that’s okay. Dr. Needle elaborates, ‘When it comes to duration, how are you defining sex? Are you including the time spent kissing, touching, manual stimulation, oral stimulation, and other forms of physical touch?’

Dr. Krychman adds, ‘Frequency and duration need to sync with your partner. Communicate your desires and enjoy the experience, be it short and spicy or long and romantic.’ Essentially, there’s no right or wrong way to enjoy intimacy—it’s about discovering what works best for you and your partner.

In summary, there’s no ‘normal’ when it comes to sex. So, feel free to enjoy your unique journey! It’s all about what makes you happy and satisfied.

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