HK has less sex but more intimacy during Covid

A group of sexual health specialists has found that couples in Hong Kong are feeling more intimate and seeing their relationships improve during the pandemic, despite their sex lives being adversely-affected.

The Association of Sexuality Educators, Researchers and Therapists polled a thousand adults last December, and found a general drop in sexual activity, sexual function and sexual intimacy.

The group’s chairwoman, Anna Ng, said, while the sex life and intimacy of people under 30 had been unaffected or had even improved, the situation was different for people who were married or unemployed.

“For those who are unemployed, of course they face a lot of stress in life. They are concerned about the economic situation. People are probably feeling more depressed, and by definition, if people are depressed, of course their sexual desire will also decrease,” she said.

But the survey’s participants generally said they were feeling more emotionally intimate with their partners.

“It’s not just about sex. Of course sexuality can affect people’s sexual life or quality of life in general. But when they are facing difficulties together, especially with their loved ones, they found that they got closer with each other,” Dr Ng explained.

The poll however found that the pandemic had affected people’s intention to have children, with over 40 percent of participants saying this was now less of a priority.