Non-Monogamy Is No Longer a Minority: The Numbers

People who search "open relationship statistics" usually want to know whether they are alone. Surveys from six countries between 2024 and 2026 answer that question — with numbers, and with two cities that reached opposite decisions about them.

The numbers: six countries

Canada. In May 2024 CBC reported that polyamory is growing faster than the law, citing a 2019 study in an academic journal that found about one in five Canadians had experienced a consensually non-monogamous relationship. Courts in Newfoundland (2018) and British Columbia (2021) have legally recognized three parents. (CBC News, 8 May 2024)

United States. A survey of 7,100 people commissioned by the health company Hims (January 2025) found 7% of Americans currently in an open relationship, rising to 15% among Gen Z. 61% said they were open to non-monogamy. This is a commercially commissioned survey. (Stacker/KVIA, 26 Jul 2025)

Italy. The Censis research institute repeated its 2000 survey in 2026. Among 1,000 people aged 18–60, group-sex and threesome experience rose from 0.7% to 6.8% for women and from 3.2% to 20.1% for men. 80.4% were still in a stable relationship with one partner. (Il Fatto Quotidiano, 24 Mar 2026)

France. In Inserm's 2023 national survey, 23.9% of women and 32.3% of men had more than one partner in the past 12 months, up from 9.6% and 22.9% in 1992. (Inserm, 13 Nov 2024)

Colombia. Citing the ICES social research institute, a report by CEIPA university found that 18% of Colombians aged 25–40 had experienced polyamory or considered it possible, and 22% had considered an open relationship. (CEIPA, 13 Feb 2025)

India. In a survey of 1,510 people by the dating app Gleeden, 69% said social acceptance of non-monogamy is growing. Also a commercially commissioned survey. (Indian Television, 19 Jan 2026)

The discrimination: 61%

OPEN, an organization for non-monogamous people, surveyed 5,885 respondents in 65 countries with Chapman University. 61% had experienced discrimination because of their relationship style at least once in their lives; 40% within the past 12 months. 71% said this identity was very or extremely important to them. (OPEN, 26 Nov 2025) The numbers are growing faster than the discrimination is shrinking.

Two cities, opposite decisions

Berkeley. In May 2024 the city council, following Oakland, passed an ordinance banning discrimination against multi-partner and other non-traditional family structures in housing, business and city services. Councilmember Terry Taplin: "Berkeley must stand united against discrimination of all kinds." (KQED, 8 May 2024)

Perth. In 2026 the downtown adult store Pink Rabbit applied to open a members-only consensual adult venue: up to 50 members, no alcohol, and a harm-reduction program run with sexual-health organizations. Of 341 public submissions, 290 opposed it. City officers recommended conditional approval — STI testing, safety training, mandatory verbal consent, a 9 pm close — but in July 2026 the council voted it down. The owner plans to appeal to the state tribunal. (ABC News, 29 Jul 2026) Councillor Liam Gobbert argued against the majority: "Safe spaces for any historically or contemporaneously marginalised... parts of the community are a good thing."

Australia's ABC interviewed polyamorous people in April 2025, including Joel, Nic and Chris, three men in one relationship. Nic called it "the most extraordinary gift." (ABC News, 27 Apr 2025)

Summary

• Canada — about 20% have experienced it (2019 study, via CBC) · Law: three-parent rulings
• United States — 7% currently open, Gen Z 15%, 61% open to it (Hims-commissioned, 7,100) · Law: Berkeley and Oakland anti-discrimination
• Italy — men's group-sex experience 3.2% → 20.1% (Censis, 1,000) · 80.4% in a stable relationship
• France — multiple partners: women 23.9%, men 32.3% (Inserm)
• Colombia — polyamory experienced or possible 18%, open relationship considered 22% (ICES/CEIPA)
• India — acceptance growing 69% (Gleeden, 1,510, commercial)
• Discrimination — 61% lifetime, 40% past year (OPEN, 5,885, 65 countries)
• Perth — members-only consensual venue rejected, 290 of 341 opposed

How ZAVOS reads these numbers

ZAVOS is not a couples' site. It is where independent individuals meet in groups through city-based member communities. Two things stand out. First, most people who have group experiences keep their relationships (Italy's 80.4%). Second, in a world where 61% report discrimination, anonymity is a rule for a reason. ZAVOS members do not use real names, meetup locations are never published, and STI test results are destroyed as soon as they are checked. The conditions Perth's officers proposed — STI testing and verbal consent — are not conditions at ZAVOS. They are defaults.

Frequently asked questions

Can these numbers be trusted? Read academic and public surveys (Censis, Inserm, the study cited by CBC, OPEN) separately from commercially commissioned ones (Hims, Gleeden). The text marks which is which.

Do people who try group sex leave their relationships? In the Italian survey, 80.4% were in a stable relationship. Most had the experience within one.

How far has the law come? Berkeley and Oakland banned discrimination; Canada recognized three parents; Perth rejected a members-only venue. It differs city by city.

Worried about discrimination? The 61% in the OPEN survey is the reason to be. That is why anonymity is the rule.

Sources are linked in the text.