One third of teenagers between the ages of 15 and 18 in Spain have had sex – and condom use is falling

In 2022, nearly 35% of teens aged 15-18 reported having had sexual relations. Condom usage fell to its lowest levels since records began in 2003.

According to the Ministry of Health’s latest Health Behaviour in School Aged Children (HBSC), almost one third of teenagers in Spain have had sexual relations by the time they reach the age of 18.

The survey was conducted in 2022, as part of an international project backed by the World Health Organization. It tracks long-term trends and compares data collected four times a year since 2002.

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The report shows that 34.8% adolescents aged 15-18 have engaged in sexual activity. This rate is similar for both boys and girls. However, the prevalence increases dramatically in the 17-18 age group.

Over one-tenth of respondents admitted to having their first sexual encounters at 13 years old or younger.

The study found that condoms are still the most popular contraceptive, but they have been steadily declining in use over the past two decades. Their use is now at its lowest point since the beginning of the study.

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By 2022, the total number of condoms used at last sexual contact has dropped from 83% in 2002 to 65.5%.

The steepest drop in the survey was between 2018 and 2022. This reversed relative stability that had been seen during earlier waves.

The decline in girls is greater, widening the gender gap which was almost non-existent at the beginning of 2000s.

By 2022, a little over 60% of females will report using a Condom for their last sexual experience, compared to more than 70% of males.

The drop has been especially marked among younger girls between 15 and 16 years old.

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While condom usage is down, the use the contraceptive pill remains relatively constant over the last decade. One in five girls report its use.

A significant minority of women continue to use the withdrawal method despite its medical inreliability for preventing pregnancies.

Around one third of sexually active teenage girls have taken the morning-after pill, at least once. A smaller percentage has used it more than once.

While pregnancy in minors is still relatively rare, only a small number of sexually-active girls aged between 15 and 18 have reported being pregnant.

The study also revealed clear differences between socioeconomic groups in terms of sexual health outcomes.

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Youth with lower income families are more likely than others to report an earlier sexual introduction, less condom usage and a greater reliance upon less effective methods.

Contrariwise, those with higher income tend to display stronger prevention indicators as well as greater access to both emergency and regular contraception.

Please note that data was collected by 2022. This means that behavioural patterns could have changed since then, especially in light of the social disruption caused during the preceding years by the Covid-19 epidemic.

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