Asians lose virginity later

On average, the age for first having sex was 19.25, according to the study "The Global Face of Sex", compiled by the Durex Network, the social marketing arm of SSL International, which manufactures Durex condoms.

Malaysians were the oldest when losing their virginity at 23.0 years, followed by Indians (22.9) Singaporeans (22.8), Chinese (22.1), Thais (20.5), Hong Kongers (20.2), Nigerians (19.7) and Japanese (19.4).

Austrians first
Austrians were the first to lose their virginity at 17.3 years, followed by Brazilians (17.4), Germans (17.6), New Zealanders (17.8), Australians (17.9) and Americans (18.0).

But despite waiting longer, Malaysians came top among those who said they were the most ready for sex (41.5 percent), followed by the Dutch, Greeks, Americans and Australians.

In contrast, Japanese, Nigerians, Thais and Hong Kongers said they were the least ready for their first sexual experience, with less than 13 percent saying they were comfortable with losing their virginity when they did.

Pressure to have sex
Meanwhile, more than a third of Nigerians (37.5 percent) said they felt pressured into losing their virginity - by far the highest percentage.

The West-African country also came out bottom for condom and other contraception use when first having sex, compared with Poland and Greece, who were the most careful in both categories.

Overall, Durex's study of 26 countries found that although contraceptive use had increased in the past 50 years, three in 10 people overall still reported that they did not use protection when having sex for the first time.

Teenagers aged 16 to 19 when having sex for the first time are eight times more likely to have used contraception for their sexual debut than people now aged 65 or older, and women were more likely than men to take precautions.

Less pressure in cities
People were less likely to feel pressured into having sex or having sex earlier if they lived in an urban area, had a better education or higher income, the study found.

Contraceptive use increased among those who talked more openly about sex and sexual health with their family or partner, as well as those who felt ready to lose their virginity.

July 2007