The 2023 Public Health Agency of Canada survey found that 22% of students in Grades 9 and 10 reported having had sexual intercourse.
Age When Youth First Reported Having Sex
- 4% of boys and 2% of girls reported first having sex at age 12 or younger.
- 17% of boys and 19% of girls reported first having sex between ages 13 and 15.
- 1% of students reported first having sex at age 16 or older.
Sexual Activity by Grade
- Grade 9 students:
- 19% of boys
- 18% of girls
reported having had sexual intercourse.
- Grade 10 students:
- 25% of boys
- 27% of girls
reported having had sexual intercourse.
Condom Use
Condoms were the most common method used during sexual activity.
- About 80% of boys in Grades 9 and 10 reported using a condom the last time they had sexual intercourse.
- Among girls:
- 75% of Grade 9 girls reported condom use.
- 69% of Grade 10 girls reported condom use.
Birth Control Use
Birth control pills were the second most common method used to prevent pregnancy.
- 36% of Grade 9 girls reported using birth control pills.
- 33% of Grade 10 girls reported using birth control pills.
- 26% of Grade 9 boys and 25% of Grade 10 boys reported that their female partners used birth control pills.
Other Findings
- About 10% of girls reported using withdrawal as a method of preventing pregnancy, even though it is not considered a reliable method.
- Between 37% and 46% of students reported that no method was used to prevent pregnancy during their last sexual experience.
Why This Matters
These statistics show the importance of providing youth with accurate sexual health information. Education about consent, healthy relationships, condoms, birth control, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can help young people make informed and safer choices.
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