Stressed-out Singaporeans are neglecting their sex lives because they are too tired to make love, a study has found.

Singaporeans have sex just six times a month, compared with three times a week in many other countries, the study said.

To improve your sex life, you just have to make time for it

Professor Goh

Older people are even less active, said Professor Victor Goh, from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the National University of Singapore.

His findings were based on a study of 133 men and 460 women aged 30 to 70.

"At the end of the day, when all their other responsibilities have been fulfilled, Singaporeans just feel too tried to perform," said Professor Goh.

Falling birth rates

Singaporeans aged 41 and 55 have sex about four times a month, while the average drops to about three times a month for those over 55, he said.

"To improve your sex life, you just have to make time for it," said Professor Goh. "It's just like exercise."

Singapore, a city-state with a population of four million, is one of the world's wealthiest countries.

The government has come up with a variety of schemes in an attempt to boost declining birth rates, including tax breaks for married couples and free matchmaking services.

But it seems most Singaporeans could be happy with their sex lives.

Only about 40% men and 20% of women below the age of 40 said they wanted more, the survey showed.