In Australia, condom sales have plummeted, yet adult sex toys: lifelike sex dolls are booming. Is this a sign of a low-desire society? No—the answer may point to another key trend:
The Loneliness Economy
For decades, the economic concept known as the “condom paradox” has been repeatedly validated: the worse the economy, the more people stay home, and condom sales skyrocket.
During the 2008 financial crisis, condom sales in South Korea surged 20%; in the 2015 stock market crash, Durex performance exploded, rising 120% and hitting 22 years.
Now, however, the “condom paradox” seems to have been failed.
In 2024, domestic condom sales in Australia dropped sharply by 20%, totaling only 2.6 billion AUD, while sales of erectile dysfunction drugs like Viagra fell from 15 million tablets to 9.85 million, a 50% year-on-year decline (the two combined account for 50% of Australia’s sexual products market).
Data shows that between 2021 and 2025, over 500 condom-related businesses nationwide went bankrupt, with an average of 173 closures per year.
Yet, this doesn’t mean society has become low-desire. At the same time, sex dolls in Australia have been selling explosively. According to statistics, Australia’s adult sex toys market reached 8.21 billion AUD in sales in 2024, up 65% year-on-year, with sex dolls surging 300% compared to 2020.
Some netizens joked, “Adult sex life and accompany might no longer require real men and women—just lifelike male and female sex dolls to replace them.“
Statistics indicate that, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2022 census data, the total population is about 26 million, with a single population ratio of around 34.4%.
Australia’s single population status:
- Overall single rate: about 34.4% (2022)
- Age distribution:
- 25-29 years: unmarried rate about 51.3%
- 30-34 years: unmarried rate about 18.4%
From 2022 to 2025, population growth has been negative for three consecutive years…With these changes compounding, an interesting trend has emerged: more and more young people are beginning to accept loneliness, embrace it, and even enjoy it—living freely and richly.
Australia’s Loneliness Economy Is Emerging
Have you noticed? Many famous restaurants have launched “solo dining” sets, with chains jumping in; fandom culture is booming, with people pouring huge enthusiasm into celebrities, idols, and even virtual characters, forming “fan circles”; self-pleasing consumption is rising, “spending on personal interests and hobbies.”
Data shows that among Australia’s post-95s and post-00s, 54% watch movies alone, and 33% order takeout solo.
Today, for many young people, loneliness is no longer shameful. On the contrary, they have a “solitary joyism” mindset—rather than compromising in crowds, it’s better to be alone. In Australia, buying sex dolls online avoids emotional and social entanglements, maximally satisfying rigid sexual needs.
Advances in technology and developed consumption have enriched adult products like realistic sex dolls and other sex toys, supporting the growth of the loneliness economy. Behind it lies the tide of the times—and endless business opportunities.