Youth Sex Survey Reveals Early Activity, Limited Access to Care in Kazakhstan

UNESCO, UNFPA, and Kazakhstani researchers conducted a major study this year on the sexual behavior of young people in Kazakhstan. The anonymous survey included thousands of respondents aged 15 to 24 across eight regions. Findings show that one in five becomes sexually active before age 20, and one in ten before age 15.

However, access to contraception, healthcare, and sex education remains limited.

The survey was carried out in the Aqtobe, East Kazakhstan, Jambyl, Qostanay, and Qaraganda regions, as well as in Astana, Almaty, and Shymkent. The ethnic breakdown of respondents reflected the 2021 census: about 75% Kazakh, 15% Russian, and the rest from other groups.

Participants were asked about the start of their sexual activity, the consequences, and their knowledge of sexual health.

When Sexual Sctivity Starts

About 20% of respondents said they became sexually active before age 20, and nearly 60% had sexual experience by age 25. Around 25% of young women aged 15–24 reported having had sex, compared to more than 40% of young men. In 2018, about a third of teens aged 15–19 reported sexual experience.

Most respondents said their first sexual experience occurred at 16.5–18 years old. One in ten reported it happened before age 15. On average, young men start sex about six months earlier than young women.

Astana had the highest rate of early sexual activity, while Almaty and Shymkent had more respondents who remained virgins. Youth in rural areas reported starting about six months earlier than those in cities and had more partners in the previous year.

Among sexually active respondents, a third had more than one partner in the past year. Fifteen percent had five or more. On average, young people reported three partners.

Fewer than 15% of adolescents aged 15–19 reported regular sexual activity. For 20% of respondents, their first sexual experience was a one-time event. Among those aged 20–24, about a third said they have regular sex, another third said frequent, and roughly 30% said occasional.

Contraception and Abstinence

Two-thirds of sexually active respondents said they used a condom the last time they had sex. Condom use was higher among 15–19 year-olds than 20–24 year-olds, possibly due to older youth being in longer-term relationships.

Among sexually active girls, one in six aged 15–19 had been pregnant, and 37% of those aged 20–24. About 20% of pregnancies ended in abortion.

The most common reasons for abstaining were beliefs about sex before marriage (63%), fear of infection (56%), and fear of pregnancy (around half of young women). Other reasons included not feeling ready or not having the opportunity.

One in five reported experiencing possible symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the past year.

Access and Information

Some of the data raises concerns. One in six young people who don’t use condoms said they either couldn’t afford them or couldn’t find them. Friends and social media remain the main sources of sexual health information.

Only one in four can discuss these topics with parents. About a third would speak with a doctor, but fewer than 5% would approach a teacher.

Nearly half avoid medical facilities due to embarrassment or fear that their private life will be exposed. Many also reported complications related to abortions or STIs.

Only 47% of those who experienced STI symptoms sought medical help. Of those who did, more than 90% received treatment. Nineteen percent had visited youth health centers in the past year, mostly girls and 15–19 year-olds.

Barriers to seeking care included embarrassment, fear of judgment, confidentiality concerns, fear of procedures, and cost — especially among those aged 20–24.

Original Author: Maria Kravtsova