On a chilly early winter morning, a condom factory in Guangdong was quiet, a stark contrast to its former three-shift, continuous production. Many production lines have been dismantled.
"Sales have dropped for three consecutive years, sometimes by as much as 40%, forcing us to find a new way to survive", said Wang Zong, the company's leader.
Wang's situation reflects a grim outlook for the industry. According to Sina Finance, China's condom market in 2024 is estimated at 15,6 billion yuan (approximately 2,1 billion USD), a 17% decrease year-on-year and nearly 20% lower than its 2019 peak. Even major brands have seen a slowdown in consumer demand.
The core reason is a shift in lifestyle values. Under economic pressure and intense competition, Chinese youth are increasingly reluctant to enter committed relationships. The traditional path of "love - marriage - childbirth" is being replaced by a focus on personal development.
Statistics for 2024 show China has approximately 297 million single people, accounting for 21% of its population. Notably, surveys by Peking University and Fudan University indicate that even those in relationships are "lazy" about intimacy. The percentages of men and women with partners who have not engaged in sexual activity for one year are 15% and 10%, respectively.
As the frequency of intimacy declines, essential products like condoms are directly affected. On the social media platform Weibo, the sentiment "dating is expensive, no dating means no need for condoms" resonates with many young Gen Z individuals.
However, "lazy dating" does not mean physiological needs disappear. The market is witnessing a shift in spending towards self-gratification methods.
In 2024, China's sex toy market exceeded 194 billion yuan, a 60% increase compared to 5 years prior. The average purchase frequency rose from 2,1 times to 5,3 times per year. During the recent Singles' Day (11/11) alone, sales in this segment surpassed 8,5 billion yuan. Women have become the primary consumers, contributing up to 67% of sales, indicating greater openness in satisfying personal needs.
Facing this trend, major players in the "sensitive" goods industry are restructuring. Durex has expanded into lubricants and support devices. Meanwhile, Karex Bhd, the world's largest condom manufacturer, has shifted some production capacity to medical gloves to offset declining sales.
The rise of sex dolls and toys signals a society in transition: moving from partner-dependent pleasure to self-sufficiency, with individuals willing to spend on personal experiences rather than investing in committed relationships.
Bao Nhien (Source: Worldjournal, Sohu)
