By Charlotte Webster-
Despite stable sexual activity levels, condom use and other precautions are declining, increasing risk of STIs, unintended pregnancies and long‑term impact on youth health
Health authorities are raising serious concerns about the increasing prevalence of unprotected sexual activity among adolescents and young adults. A major recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO) for its Europe Region found that, among sexually active 15‑year‑olds in 42 countries, condom use at last intercourse dropped significantly between 2014 and 2022. For boys it fell from 70% to 61%, and for girls from 63% to 57%.
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Even more striking, the study found that almost one‑third (30%) of adolescents reported using neither a condom nor the contraceptive pill at their last sexual encounter.
In the UK context, other research briefs show a similar pattern: a UK government “Sexual Risk‑Taking” survey found that in 2018 44% of sexually active young people reported having had sex without contraception or precautions. GOV.UK
These numbers suggest that while the prevalence of sexual activity among youth may have remained relatively stable, the proportion engaging in unprotected sex is rising, or at least not declining.
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Unprotected sex among young people has multiple serious implications. First, there is the increased risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The WHO report links the decline in condom use with spiralling STI rates across European countries—including recent rises in gonorrhoea, syphilis and chlamydia. DW News
Second, there is a heightened chance of unintended pregnancies, especially when other forms of contraception are not used. For young adolescents, pregnancies can seriously disrupt education, future prospects and health outcomes. The WHO review emphasises that adolescents who engage in unprotected sex are more vulnerable to unsafe abortion, early school‑leaving and long‑term disadvantage. University of Glasgow+1
Third, there are equity issues. The WHO data found that adolescents from lower‑affluence families were significantly more likely to report unprotected intercourse than their more affluent peers (33% vs. 25%). World Health Organization+1
Several interconnected factors appear to be fuelling this concerning rise in unprotected sex among young people:
The WHO report draws attention to the fact that many young people are receiving inadequate or inconsistent sexual‐health education. It states that “age‑appropriate comprehensive sexuality education remains neglected in many countries,” and increasingly subject to political and cultural resistance. World Health Organization
Without accurate, accessible information and open discussion, adolescents may not fully grasp the risks associated with unprotected sex or the full range of contraceptive options available.
Some younger people may be relying more on other forms of contraception (e.g., pills, implants) or assume low risk, and so skip condoms. In the UK survey, those who had unprotected sex were more likely to report behaviours such as binge drinking or other risk‑taking activities. GOV.UK
Additionally, new phenomena like “stealthing” (removal of a condom without consent) are emerging. A UK survey found that about 1 in 10 under‑25s were unsure or unaware that stealthing is a crime. Sky News
Young people in less affluent settings may face greater barriers to accessing reliable contraception, or may have more unstable relationships and living conditions, making consistent protection use more difficult. The WHO socioeconomic breakdown underscores this. University of Glasgow
The trend appears less about a single cause, and more about systemic weaknesses in sexual health‑education, access, social support and youth empowerment.
While much of the data focuses on 15‑year‑olds, broader research indicates that the issue is relevant across the youth spectrum, especially for those aged 16‑24.
In the UK government research brief, young people identifying as lesbian, gay or bisexual reported even higher rates of unprotected sex: 59% of gay/lesbian young people and 48% of bisexual young people reported having had unprotected sex, compared to 44% of heterosexual peers.
The WHO data show that gender differences exist: among 15‑year‑olds, the decline in condom use is slightly steeper for girls (from 63% to 57%). University of Glasgow
Peer‑influenced factors also matter: the UK survey found that young people engaging in other risky behaviours (e.g., drug use) were significantly more likely to report unprotected sex than those who did not.
This suggests that interventions will need to be nuanced, targeting sexual‑minority youth, those from low‑income backgrounds, and those already engaged in multiple risk behaviours.
Public health authorities and sexual‐health services are responding to this trend—but many experts argue that the scale and urgency of the response must increase.
Some schools and youth organisations are intensifying relationships and sex‑education (RSE) programmes to ensure that young people understand both contraception and consent. For instance, UK education policy emphasises RSE as a key part of reducing under‑18 conception rates.
Campaigns are being launched to improve access to condoms and contraceptives for adolescents—especially in less affluent communities and in areas with higher STI rates.
Healthcare systems are aiming to lower barriers to youth friendly services, test and treat STIs more proactively, and offer confidential advice for young people.
Yet, many professionals argue that the scale of the problem demands sustained investment, cultural change and easier access to contraception for youth populations.
This rise in unprotected sex may carry serious consequences for individuals, societies and economies.
Young people who contract STIs or have unintended pregnancies may face health complications, stigma, interrupted education and reduced future opportunities. This can perpetuate a cycle of disadvantage.
Unplanned pregnancies and STI treatment contribute to public‐health costs. Young people with disrupted schooling or early parenthood may become disconnected from employment or further education, affecting lifetime earnings and social mobility.
Youth Empowerment and Equality
The socioeconomic disparities in protection use underscore wider inequalities. Young people from lower‑income backgrounds or minority sexual orientations are disproportionately impacted. Ensuring equitable sexual health access is therefore a matter of social justice.
Education must cover contraception, consent, STI risks, healthy relationships and the realities of digital influences (pornography, social media).
Programmes must reach all youth—including those from underserved communities.
Improve access to condoms and contraception. Free or low‑cost condoms and contraceptives should be widely available in schools, youth centres, pharmacies and online.
Services should be confidential, youth‑friendly and culturally inclusive.
Interventions should identify young people engaged in other risky behaviours (substance use, unsteady relationships) and link them to sexual‑health support.
Targeted work with sexual‑minority youth, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds, is essential.
Many young people turn to online sources for information: accurate, reliable and accessible digital sexual‑health resources should be developed.
Social‑media campaigns can challenge myths (e.g., “pull‑out method is safe”) and promote protective behaviours.
Governments and health agencies must continue to collect data on youth sexual behaviour, protection use and outcomes (pregnancies, STIs).
Evidence should guide policy and identify regions or groups with greatest need.
The rise in unprotected sexual activity among young people marks a major public‑health challenge. Young people today are more connected, more informed in some ways—but also exposed to new pressures: digital influences, unstable sexual norms, and evolving relationships. The consequences of inadequate protection are real: STIs, unintended pregnancies, disrupted lives and growing inequality.
Reversing the trend will require action on many fronts—education, access, culture, digital literacy and targeted support. It will also demand political will and societal investment. Without it, the health and futures of many young people will remain at risk.
But with concerted effort, the much‑cited goal of “healthy, informed, safe sexual lives for all young people” remains achievable. The key question now is whether society is ready to meet it.
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