Condom use among young people has declined over the past year, according to RFSU’s annual Condom Check survey. Fewer young people are protecting themselves when having sex with a new partner and young people in Sweden are also among the worst in the Nordic region at protecting themselves when having sex.
The comprehensive Nordic survey on condom use has been conducted by RFSU annually since 2009. In the past year, 40% of Swedes have used a condom, which is the highest in the Nordic region. At the same time, this year’s results show that condom use among young people aged 16-35 has decreased, from 58% in 2023 to 54% in 2024. The proportion of young people who used a condom the last time they had sex with a new partner has also decreased, from 53% to 47%. Among the youngest, 16-20 year olds, the decrease means that the proportion protecting themselves with a new partner is now back at the same level as in 2016, before the positive trend started.
– Condom use has been steadily increasing for several years, not least in the context of the pandemic, when protection was generally high on people’s agenda. What we now see is that the increase has stopped, which is also reflected in our sales, which have remained relatively stable compared to the annual average during 2020-2023,” says Anette Otterström, Nordic Brand and Communications Manager at RFSU AB.
Fewer young Swedes used a condom at their sexual debut – harder to propose second time
Only just over half (57%) of Swedish 16-35 year olds used a condom at their sexual debut, compared to 56% in Norway, 69% in Denmark and 70% in Finland. In addition, 45% of young people in Sweden report that it is more difficult to suggest a condom on the second occasion if it was not used the first time, compared to 35% in all age groups.
The gap between intention and use is increasing
The gap between the intention to use a condom during sex with a new partner compared to actual use has also increased. Although 68% intend to use condoms, which is in line with last year, actual use dropped from 47% to 44%.
Despite the decline, many young people see the condom as an important signal. 54% of 16-20 year olds think it makes it easier to be clear about wanting to have sex, compared to 38% of all ages.
The increasing gap between intention and actual use underlines the importance of continuing to develop new relevant ways of talking educationally with young people about condoms and safer sex - not least with the youngest - to reverse the trend. Pelle Ullholm, Sex Educator at RFSU
Six-point list to empower young people to increase condom use:
- Have faith in young people – Assume that young people want to take responsibility for their health and the health of others. Empower them to make wise choices.
- Be realistic and responsive – Understand why condoms are sometimes not used and use this to reinforce condom use.
- Have recurrent conversations – A single conversation is not enough, you need to follow up several times during adolescence.
- Do not equate condoms with other forms of protection against pregnancy – Condoms protect against both pregnancy and STIs. Avoid reasoning that leads to its rejection.
- Make condoms and support easily accessible – Ensure that young people have easy access to both condoms and counseling in youth clinics, at school or at home.
- Promote condom use as positive – suggesting or using condoms is seen as responsible and confident, especially if young men take the initiative.