Interesting BDSM statistics in 2024

As with everything kink, it can be hard to find accurate info and data online. There aren’t many published BDSM statistics available and even then it’s difficult to know how reliable they are.

BDSM has increasingly found its way into mainstream conversation, breaking free from the chains of taboo over the years. The world of kink, consensual power dynamics, sensation play, and introducing sweet pain into the bedroom and beyond intrigues many people.

However, those just starting out or getting more involved in it often wonder how many others are there who engage in various kinks.

Here are the most interesting BDSM statistics for 2024.

How many people practice BDSM?

85% of people have engaged in some form of BDSM-related behavior.

The Global Drug Survey in 2015, which is considered the biggest annual survey of drug and alcohol use around the world, reported that 12.7% of respondents have been tied up for sex. Also, 19.3% have used a blindfold during sex.

However, a global survey by Lehmiller et al., 2020, involving over 4,000 respondents from 42 different countries, found that approximately 85% had engaged in some form of BDSM-related behavior at least once.

This shows BDSM is even more common, but due to its stigmatization, it’s possible that people underreport their involvement.

On the other hand, we know that it can be hard to determine what exactly is BDSM, when it starts, and what it encompasses.

BDSM Statistics – Fantasies & Desires

Around 60% of all men and women fantasize about dominance & submission.

A comprehensive study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine in 2013 suggested that 53% of men had fantasies about being dominated, and 60% fantasized about dominating someone else.

Another study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine in 2014 found that more than 61.9% of women reported fantasies about being dominated, 52.1% fantasized about being tied up, and 36.3% fantasized about being spanked or whipped.

A survey conducted by “What Women Want” in 2019 revealed that 47% of women prefer to take a submissive role in BDSM play, compared to 40% who prefer to dominate.

Overall, women seem to be more drawn to be submissive rather than dominant.

Dominance and submission can go in either direction so this statistic also includes those who might enjoy being on both sides (called Switchers).

Anyway, it shows that BDSM fantasies are very common and nothing to be ashamed of!

BDSM Statistics – Bondage play

36% of adults in the US report using some form of bondage during sex

A 2005 Durex survey estimated that about 36% of adults in the United States reported using some form of bondage during sex. Bondage is often an easy introduction into the world of kink and BDSM, as it is generally seen as more accepted and less stigmatized than more extreme practices.

Non-Monogamy & BDSM

BDSM & Non-Monogamy are often strongly connected

According to a 2012 survey published in the Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality, there is a significant overlap between the BDSM and non-monogamous communities. Nearly 60% of respondents reported being in some form of non-monogamous relationship.

BDSM & LGBTQ+

BDSM is NOT more common in LGBTQ+ communities.

A 2008 study published in the Journal of Homosexuality suggested that up to 28% of lesbian and bisexual women, 33% of gay and bisexual men, and over 50% of transgender individuals reported participation in BDSM activities.

This shows that sexual orientation has nothing to do with preferences for sexual practices, despite LGBTQ+ often being considered as sexually more open.

Kink and Fetish Popularity Online

“BDSM” has nearly 1 million searches on Google every month.

Fetlife, a popular social media network for the BDSM and fetish community, provides some interesting statistics. The most common fetish listed on user profiles is “BDSM“, followed by “Roleplay,” “Oral Sex“, “Bondage“, and “Spanking“.

Google suggests that terms like “BDSM“, “Femdom“, or even “ball gag” receive nearly a million searches every month.

BDSM Demographics

Men are more likely to be interested in BDSM.

According to a study in the Archives of Sexual Behavior in 2017, men are more likely than women to have an interest in BDSM. However, when it comes to participation in BDSM, there is more gender equality, showing that women are equally interested in practicing BDSM as men.

Age & BDSM

Most people start becoming interested in BDSM under the age of 25.

According to a 2008 study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, the mean age at which study participants began to realize their interest in BDSM was around 26. This study involved only around 200 people involved in the BDSM scene, so it’s a fairly small sample size.

In a 2020 Australian study on BDSM, most respondents reported becoming aware of their interest in BDSM during adolescence. The mean age was 18 years for men and 21 years for women.

It’s important to remember that becoming aware of an interest in BDSM and beginning to practice BDSM are two different things! So even if people are interested in it, this does not mean they actively engage in any practices.

I personally have met many people who held such desires and fantasies for years and even decades before “coming out” and exploring their kinks eventually.

Remember it’s never too late!

Moreover, these studies primarily focus on people who are actively involved in the BDSM scene and do not necessarily represent all people who have BDSM interests or engage in BDSM activities. It’s likely that many people incorporate elements of BDSM into their sex lives without identifying with any particular scene or considering their activities as BDSM.

Finally, note that any sexual activity, including BDSM, should only be practiced by those who have reached the age of consent, and who give informed, enthusiastic, and ongoing consent to all activities.

BDSM Statistics – Psychological Impact

There are no observed negatice psychological impacts of engaging in BDSM and it has even shown to lower PTSD.

The authors of another study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine in 2013 (a good year for BDSM data) concluded that “BDSM may be thought of as a recreational leisure, rather than the expression of psychopathological processes”. According to them, BDSM practitioners were “less neurotic, more extraverted, more open to new experiences, more conscientious, less rejection sensitive, had higher subjective well-being, yet were less agreeable”.

Interestingly, men who practiced BDSM showed significantly lower levels of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms compared to non-practitioners.

A 2009 study published in the journal Sexologies found that many BDSM practitioners use the activity to help them cope with stress. About 33% of the sample reported using BDSM as a form of stress relief.

So in short: BDSM is not psychologically threatening and can be very good for your mental health.

BDSM Statistics – Safety

30% of BDSM practicioners have experienced consent violations before.

A survey conducted by the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom in 2008 found that 30% of participants experienced some form of consent violation in BDSM activities, highlighting the importance of negotiation, safe words, and other safety practices in the community.

Therefore, it is great that a 2020 study from Australia found that about 93% of people practicing BDSM use a safe word or safe signal.

Top 10 BDSM Google searches

The top 10 most searched BDSM terms according to Google are:

1. Femdom
2. Hitbdsm (adult website)
3. Tubebdsm (adult website)
4. BDSM
5. BDSM Test
6. BDSM Streak
7. Ball Gag
8. BDSM Test. org
9. Self Bondage
10. Dom Sub