Purpose: This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of risky sexual behaviour, emphasising its multifaceted nature, underlying mechanisms, and effective intervention strategies. It also highlights critical gaps in existing research to guide future inquiry and public health policy development. Views: Risky sexual behaviour remains a major global concern, especially among adolescents and young adults, significantly affecting not only individuals but also populations worldwide. Understanding this issue is complicated by the diversity of definitions and the multitude of factors influencing it at the individual, social, and environmental levels. The consequences of such behaviour are serious, impacting not only physical health but also social well-being. This article explores the definitions and multifaceted causes behind risky sexual actions. It also reviews key theories that help explain why individuals engage in such behaviour. Conclusion: Understanding and addressing risky sexual behaviour is challenging due to its intricate nature and the diverse range of contributing factors. However, this article underscores that a multifaceted approach, integrating theoretical insights with evidence-based interventions, holds significant potential for mitigating its adverse impacts. The lack of research based on large global datasets leads to interpretive limitations and highlights the need for further research in this area.