Contraceptive behaviour of adults 2023

The repeat survey on contraceptive behaviour of sexually active adults provides valuable insights into the use of and attitudes towards contraceptives in the German population.

In the 2023 survey, 1,001 sexually active adults aged 18 to 49 were interviewed by telephone about their contraceptive methods and attitudes. The representative survey focused on the use of various contraceptive methods, attitudes towards individual contraceptive methods and hormonal contraception in particular, information behaviour and preferred sources of information. The study looks in detail at using the internet as a source of health information. There is also an in-depth look at the role of cost in contraceptive choice.

This study is part of a long tradition of surveys by the German Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA) in this field: the first survey on contraceptive behaviour of sexually active adults took place in 2003. Further surveys followed in 2007, 2011 and 2018. The current fifth iteration was conducted in 2023. This series of studies provides insights into current contraceptive behaviour in Germany and its change over time. The study ensures that the BZgA's education and advising services are in line with current needs and attitudes of the population.