BEIJING, April 20, (Xinhua) -- Sex is more satisfying in countries where women and men are considered equal, according to an international study of people between the ages of 40 and 80 by U.S. researchers.

    The study appears in the April issue of the Archives of Sexual Behavior.

    This new study on sexual well-being, aging and health that was conducted in 29 countries by a University of Chicago research team surveyed about 27,500 people between the ages of 40 and 80, including equal numbers of men and women.

    Austria topped the list of 29 nations studied, with 71 percent of those surveyed reported being satisfied with their sex lives. Spain, Canada, Belgium and the United States also reported high rates of satisfaction. The lowest satisfaction rate - 25.7 percent - was reported in Japan.

    Howerver, some leading experts aired different opinion. "A nation's level of health and education could contribute to the findings," said John DeLamater, a professor at the University of Wisconsin and editor of the International Journal of Sex Research, who was not involved in the research. "It's conceivable that people in developed countries have more information about sexuality. And they're also healthier. Being better informed, and being in better shape, they may be more able to maintain a satisfying sex life."  Enditem  (Agencies)