Pornography Statistics
Here you can find the latest statistics on pornography. Download our free PDF for more detailed pornography stats and citations.
Porn Industry Statistics
“It seems so obvious: If we invent a machine, the first thing we are going to do—after making a profit—is use it to watch porn.”
– Damon Brown, Author of Playboy’s Greatest Covers
How big is the porn industry?
In 2006, adult entertainment revenues were estimated at nearly $13 billion.1 In 2023, estimates for the global industry range from $58 billion2 all the way to $287 billion.3 We don’t know exactly how much of that is porn, but it’s safe to say it’s a multi-billion dollar industry.
How much porn is there?
There’s no way to calculate the exact amount of porn online. But experts estimate 4% of the internet is pornography.4
According to data aggregator SemRush, in September 2024, Pornhub was the sixth most popular website in the world and boasted over 5.6 billion views.5
What are the current porn trends?
User Generated Porn
Gone are the days where big studios produce all the pornography. The website OnlyFans, a platform for individuals to upload their own content for subscribers, was launched in 2016. It now produces $6.6 billion in annual revenue.6
Virtual Reality (VR) Porn
Although only 7% of millennials and 5% of Gen Z’ers report consuming VR porn,7 some experts predict it will grow to a $19 billion industry in the next few years.8
Violence and Abuse
A 2020 survey of thousands of pornographic videos found that 45% had at least one act of physical aggression. A related trend is so-called “revenge porn,” where private photos or videos are uploaded by an ex-partner in order to humiliate or shame someone.
AI-generated Porn
One of the latest and perhaps most concerning trend is AI-generated pornography. Far from being an “ethical alternative” to real human performers, artificial intelligence poses serious human rights concerns.
“Amateurs come across better on screen. Our customers feel that. Especially by women; you can see it. They still feel strong pain.”
– Carlo Scalisi, Owner of 21 Sexury Video
Porn Use in the United States
What do people think about porn?
Pornography has become increasingly commonplace. However, a hopeful trend is that younger generations are becoming more likely to recognize the harms of pornography.
- 46% of people believe that porn is harmful.
- 38% are neutral about porn’s effects.
- Millennials are the likeliest group to view pornography favorably.
- Gen Z has a more negative view of pornography.9
- 41% of teens say they believe watching porn is wrong. 38% do not believe it is wrong.
- Half of teens say they “feel guilty or ashamed” after watching online porn.10
How many people watch pornography?
Despite the recognition of the negative effects of pornography. The number of people consuming pornography continues to rise.
- 61% of the general population report viewing pornography.
- 78% of men watch pornography.
- 44% of women watch pornography.
How many teens watch porn?
- 73% of teens have consumed pornography.
- Most teens who view pornography have been exposed to aggressive and/or violent forms of pornography.
- 12 is the average age of first exposure.11
How many Christians watch porn?
- 54% of practicing Christians watch pornography.
- 75% of Christian men watch pornography.
- 40% of Christian women consume pornography.
- 22% of Christians view pornography at least once a week, compared to 31% of non-Christians who view pornography at least weekly.12
“The young women who talk to me on campuses about the effect of pornography on their intimate lives speak of feeling that they can never measure up, that they can never ask for what they want; and that if they do not offer what porn offers, they cannot expect to hold a guy. The young men talk about what it is like to grow up learning about sex from porn, and how it is not helpful to them in trying to figure out how to be with a real woman…For the first time in human history, the images’ power and allure have supplanted that of real naked women. Today, real naked women are just bad porn.”
– Naomi Wolf
Statistics on Pornography and Marriage
“I have also seen in my clinical experience that pornography damages the sexual performance of the viewers. Pornography viewers tend to have problems with premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction. Having spent so much time in unnatural sexual experiences with paper, celluloid and cyberspace, they seem to find it difficult to have sex with a real human being. Pornography is raising their expectation and demand for types and amounts of sexual experiences; at the same time it is reducing their ability to experience sex.”
– Dr. MaryAnne Layden
When pornography is viewed, couples are twice as likely to separate.13 70% of wives of sex addicts could be diagnosed with PTSD.14
Prolonged exposure to pornography leads to:
- Diminished trust between intimate couples.
- Belief that promiscuity is the natural state.
- Lack of attraction to family and child-raising.15
A 2014 study found that compulsive pornography users “had greater impairments of sexual arousal and erectile difficulties in intimate relationships but not with sexually explicit materials.”16
Statistics on Pornography in the Church
“A study at a Christian university found that among Christian students who use pornography, 43 percent of men and 20 percent of women say their pornography use worsened their relationship with Christ. Further, 20 percent of men and 9 percent of women reported their pornography use caused them to lose interest in spiritual things.”
—Sam Black, The Healing Church
- 67% of pastors have a personal history with porn.
- 18% of pastors in the United States currently struggle with pornography.17
- Only 7% of pastors report their church has a ministry program for those struggling with porn.18
