Objective: To study the use of contraceptives in Sweden. Methods: Analysis of the population-based survey 'Sex in Sweden. On the Swedish sexual life 1996'. The survey was analyzed in relation to socio-demographic, lifestyle, sexual and behavioral characteristics as well as attitudes to, and evaluation of, personal experiences. The data included 2810 men and women between 18 and 74 years of age. The results were compared with a similar survey carried out in 1967. Results: During the 30-year period between the 1967 and 1996 surveys, condom use more than halved and use of oral contraceptives increased by 6 percentage points. The decline in the use of condoms did not occur among teenagers but among all other age groups in both men and women. In 1996 the majority (72%) used a reliable contraceptive method, but 29% did not. Coitus-dependent methods were more frequently used by men and women who were below the age of 21, smoked, used alcohol simultaneously with coitus, had casual partners, were more highly educated, were breastfeeding, had coitus less frequently and among those who were most satisfied with their sexual life and their partner relationship. Conclusion: In order to increase the use of more reliable contraceptive methods, three crucial factors should be focused on in counselling and media campaigns: gender, age and the use of coitus-dependent/coitus-independent methods.