Average Body Count by Age: What Is Normal in 2026? (CDC Data)
What Is a Body Count?
In dating slang, “body count” refers to the total number of sexual partners a person has had. While the term has become increasingly common on social media (especially TikTok), it originated in military and gaming contexts. Today, it is one of the most-searched dating topics online.
Understanding where you fall statistically can provide perspective. Our Body Count Calculator lets you see your exact percentile based on age and gender.
Body Count by Age Group (CDC NSFG Data)
Ages 15-19
- Median: 0-1 partners
- 72% of women and 71% of men have had 0-1 partner
- Only 3-4% report 5+ partners
Ages 20-24
- Median: 2-3 partners
- 35% of women have had 0-1 partner, 29% had 2-4, 23% had 5-9, 13% had 10+
- For men: 32% had 0-1, 25% had 2-4, 20% had 5-9, 22% had 10+
Ages 25-34
- Median: 4-6 partners
- This is the age range where counts diverge the most between genders
- Men are more likely to report 10+ partners (33%) than women (21%)
Ages 35-44
- Median: 5-8 partners
- About 56-58% of adults in this group have had more than 5 partners
- The average settles at approximately 8 for both genders
Body Count by Generation
A study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior found surprising generational differences:
- Baby Boomers: Average 11 lifetime partners
- Gen X: Average 10 lifetime partners
- Millennials: Average 8 lifetime partners
- Gen Z: On track for 5-6 lifetime partners
Despite the perception that younger generations are more promiscuous, the data show the opposite trend. Gen Z is having less sex and fewer partners than any previous generation.
Does Body Count Matter in Dating?
Research from Psychology Today shows mixed results:
- 67% of people say they care about a partner’s body count to some degree
- Men care more: 42% of men say a high body count is a dealbreaker vs. 27% of women
- Double standard persists: Men with high counts are viewed more favorably than women with equivalent counts
However, research on relationship satisfaction shows no correlation between body count and relationship quality. What matters more is emotional readiness, communication, and shared values. If body count is on your List of Relationship Standards, consider whether it actually predicts relationship success.
Median vs Mean: Why It Matters
The median (middle value) is more useful than the mean (average) for body count statistics. A small number of people with very high partner counts (50+) pull the mean significantly upward. The median gives a better picture of what is truly “normal.”
For example, among 30-year-old women, the median might be 5, but the mean could be 9 because a few individuals with 30+ partners skew the average.
Find Your Percentile
Want to know exactly where you rank? Try our free Body Count Calculator. Enter your number and age, and see your exact percentile based on CDC National Survey of Family Growth data.
