'French have the most sex'

Asians have far less sex than their European counterparts, according to the 9th annual survey conducted by condom-manufacturer Durex.

The research confirmed France is now officially the sexiest state with the French having sex 137 times a year - well above the global average of 103 - with Greece and Hungary coming a close second and third.

Compare this with the Japanese (46) and Indians (82).

More than 350,000 people from 41 countries took part in the world's largest ever survey of sexual attitudes and behaviour, said Durex.

Europeans also win hands down in turning their partners on. Topping the table are the British, who spend 22.5 minutes on foreplay, followed by the Germans.

And, in many countries, foreplay is increasingly likely to include such sexual enhancers as pornography, vibrators, pleasure enhancing condoms and lubricants.

The survey also showed that people were losing their virginity at a younger age, with the average at 17,7.

"The trend is towards losing virginity earlier with today's 16-20 year olds becoming sexually active by 16,5," according to the survey.

It was the 35-44 year-olds who are having the most sex however, with 116 episodes per year, compared to 91 for 16-20 year olds.

Teens around the world were showing noteworthy risky sexual behaviour, the survey said, with 24 percent of them admitting to having had unprotected sex without knowing their partner's sexual history.

More than half of respondents over 35 have taken the same risk.

On a lighter note, Hollywood stars Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie top the sexiest celebrity charts taking over from last year's winners - English footballer David Beckham and American actress Jennifer Lopez.