Bigger Income Leads to Better Sex

A survey by a reliable institution -Relationships Australia- has revealed that people's sex lives improve along with their income - and that the magic number for satisfaction starts at about $80,000.

Only 44 per cent of people with a household income under $60,000 a year are sexually active, compared with 81 per cent of people with a household income of more than $80,000 a year.

Money worries were a leading cause of relationship breakdown, said Relationships Australia executive director for development and practice, Samantha Aldridge.

'When you look at households earning under $60,000, less than half of them are sexually active,' she said. 'It would be difficult to manage a household on $60,000 without feeling some financial pressure. Financial stress has a huge impact on relationship satisfaction and on intimacy and, now we know also, sexual activity.'

The findings of the Relationships Indicators Survey 2011 showed that 60 per cent of Australians aged 18 and over are sexually active.

But it is not the tempting 20-somethings or the flirty 30s enjoying the most satisfying love lives. Instead, satisfaction levels are likely to be higher among those in their 40s and seniors, the survey of 1200 people found. Only 65 per cent of respondents aged 25 to 34 are contented with their sexual activity.

The happiest age group are the 40- to 49-year-olds, with 74 per cent of whom are pleased with their passionate pursuits. But the 60- to 69-year-olds and the over 70s are not far behind - 72 per cent of respondents in both age groups reported that they are satisfied with their sex lives. Ms Aldridge said people in their late 20s and early 30s are under a lot of pressure.