2023 Infidelity Statistics: The Ultimate Guide to Who Cheats More, Men or Women?

Some Highlights:

• Among married individuals, approximately 16% acknowledged having been involved in an affair.¹
• A significant 76% of Americans hold the belief that extramarital affairs are morally unacceptable.²
• Research shows that 20% of married men and 13% of married women have acknowledged engaging in infidelity.¹
• Surprisingly, 53.4% of affairs occur with individuals whom the person already knows very well.²
• Astonishingly, nearly half of those who cheat, around 47.7%, admitted their indiscretions to their partners within a week.³
• After committing infidelity, 40% of adults have ended up getting divorced, in contrast to only 17% of those who remained faithful to their partners.¹

Cheating in romantic relationships has been a complex and prevalent issue for centuries. Although non-monogamous relationships are becoming more common, the majority of people still hold the expectation of faithfulness from their partners. Nevertheless, cheating remains widespread.

Despite its prevalence, infidelity remains a taboo topic, leading to numerous myths and misconceptions about its frequency and those involved. False statistics have even propagated the notion that the majority of men are unfaithful. This article aims to dispel some of these myths and provide accurate infidelity statistics.

The article will delve into various aspects of infidelity, exploring how people perceive cheating, which demographics tend to cheat more, the reasons behind infidelity, and the typical outcomes of such behavior. Additionally, lesser-known factors like genetics, early childhood experiences, and innate personality traits associated with cheating will be explored.

Furthermore, the article will shed light on the nature of affairs, the individuals involved in them, and the prevalence of admitting to such indiscretions. Divorce rates and other relevant statistics will also be examined to provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject.

Let’s now examine the overall views on infidelity. Despite the rise of open relationships, the majority of people still view cheating as morally wrong. Geographical location and cultural differences influence these perceptions. In America, a vast majority believe that affairs outside of marriage are “always wrong,” with women being more likely to hold this belief. Interestingly, many who have engaged in infidelity consider their own actions justified.

Worldwide, attitudes towards infidelity vary across countries. The French and Spanish are relatively more accepting, with a significant percentage not considering infidelity morally wrong. On the other hand, individuals from Turkey and Palestine find cheating to always be unacceptable at higher rates than elsewhere.

• The vast majority of Americans, 76%, believe that affairs are morally unacceptable and “always wrong.”²
• Contrarily, 40% of the French do not perceive infidelity as morally wrong.⁵
• In Spain, 27% of the population does not consider extramarital affairs to be inherently wrong.⁵
• Among Palestinians and Turkish individuals, a striking 94% believe that infidelity is always wrong.⁵

Defining Cheating: Perspectives and Perceptions

The concept of cheating can be quite diverse, and opinions on what constitutes it often vary between men and women.

In a particular study, the majority of both men and women acknowledged that emotional infidelity could exist independently of sexual infidelity. However, a smaller proportion of men believed the opposite. Additionally, women were more inclined to view an emotional attachment with someone else as a form of adulterous behavior.

Although there were differing opinions on what constitutes emotional infidelity among both genders, some commonly agreed-upon themes emerged. One such theme was attending important events with someone other than their partner, and another was being dishonest about spending time with someone else.

Furthermore, research indicated that women tended to experience greater distress over emotional affairs compared to men, while both men and women found sexual affairs equally troubling.

Apart from emotional infidelity, there are other actions that are perceived as cheating. For many women, even holding hands with someone else is considered a form of cheating. Additionally, the vast majority of people agreed that spending an excessive amount of time with another person whom they have feelings for also falls under the category of cheating.

When it comes to defining cheating, there are notable differences between men and women, as shown by the following statistics:

• 88% of women and 79% of men agree that emotional infidelity can occur independently of sexual infidelity, recognizing that emotional connections can be significant even without a physical aspect.⁵
• 71% of women and 54% of men believe that sexual infidelity can happen without emotional involvement, suggesting that for some, physical intimacy might not always entail an emotional connection.⁵
• An overwhelming majority, 80% of women and 66% of men, consider forming an emotional attachment with someone else as an act of cheating, highlighting the significance of emotional fidelity in relationships.⁷
• A smaller percentage, 16%, view attending important events with someone other than their partner as a form of cheating, indicating that social and emotional connections in certain contexts can be concerning.⁵
• Similarly, 15% consider lying to a partner about their whereabouts and spending time with someone else as an act of unfaithfulness, recognizing the importance of honesty in relationships.⁵
• The majority of women, 71%, and a significant portion of men, 56%, consider hand-holding with another person as a type of cheating, signifying that physical gestures of intimacy can be perceived as crossing the boundaries of a committed relationship.⁷

These statistics shed light on the varied perceptions and beliefs about what constitutes cheating, reflecting the complexity of human emotions and relationships.

Gender Disparities in Infidelity: Exploring the Data

When it comes to infidelity, there are indeed notable differences between men and women, as evidenced by research. Overall, married women tend to cheat less compared to married men. The General Social Survey (GSS) indicates that 20% of male respondents and 13% of female respondents admitted to engaging in infidelity.

Interestingly, the gender gap in infidelity varies significantly depending on age. In older adults, men are considerably more likely to stray from their committed relationships. However, in younger age groups, this gap is relatively smaller. Surprisingly, in the 18-29 age range, married women are even slightly more likely to cheat, as evident from the data. Nevertheless, this trend quickly reverses, and men and women tend to cheat at similar rates throughout their 40s, after which the gap widens further.

The data suggests that age plays a critical role in understanding gender differences in infidelity. As individuals mature and progress through different life stages, patterns of infidelity tend to shift, leading to varying rates of cheating among men and women across different age groups.

• Overall, 20% of men and 13% of women admitted to engaging in cheating.¹
• Among individuals over the age of 80, 24% of men and 6% of women reported instances of infidelity.¹
• In the 60s age bracket, 24% of men and 16% of women disclosed having cheated.¹
• In the 18-29 age range, 10% of men and 11% of women acknowledged involvement in infidelity.¹

According to research, infidelity rates show distinct patterns across different age groups. The likelihood of engaging in infidelity increases in older age groups, with individuals in their 50s and 60s being the most prone to cheating. However, this rate declines significantly after this age range. Notably, the peak age for infidelity differs between married women, who are most likely to cheat at 45, and married men, who reach their cheating peak at 55.

A curious finding from Ashley Madison, a website catering to married individuals seeking affairs, indicates that most members join the platform the year before reaching a significant milestone birthday. This trend suggests that individuals are more inclined to consider cheating at ages like 29, 39, 49, and so on, possibly due to a potential life crisis as they age.

Additionally, an intriguing data point reveals that women who marry later in life are less likely to engage in adultery compared to those who marry at a younger age. This finding suggests a potential link between age at marriage and fidelity in relationships.

These observations highlight the complex interplay of age, marital status, and personal life events in shaping infidelity tendencies among individuals.

Genetic Factors and Personality Traits in Infidelity:

Surprisingly, genetics may play a role in predisposing individuals to engage in adulterous behavior. Studies have identified certain oxytocin and vasopressin receptor genes associated with a higher likelihood of infidelity. Approximately 40% of women and 62% of men possessing these genes have reported participating in infidelity. These hormones are linked to emotions like trust, love, and sexual bonding, which may influence the inclination towards extramarital affairs.

Personality traits also play a significant role in the likelihood of having an affair. Individuals who score high in extraversion and openness to new experiences but low in agreeableness are more prone to cheat, consistently across different cultures. Narcissism has also been associated with an increased tendency to stray, potentially due to reduced concern for their partner’s feelings and fear of getting caught. Moreover, people with a high “sociosexual orientation” trait, indicating a higher openness to casual sex, are more likely to engage in affairs.

Impact of Childhood Experiences:

Childhood experiences and family backgrounds influence the likelihood of adulterous behavior in marriage. Individuals who did not grow up with both parents are 18% more likely to admit to infidelity compared to those from traditional, intact families. Moreover, if one’s parents were unfaithful to each other, both men and women are more likely to commit adultery. Women are particularly prone to cheating if they experienced sexual abuse during childhood. Insecure attachment styles, formed during childhood based on caregiver relationships, can also predict cheating behaviors in later life.

The Dynamics of Affairs:

When it comes to infidelity, studies have shown that over half of affairs involve individuals known to the cheating spouse. This suggests that infidelity often occurs opportunistically with familiar acquaintances. Workplaces are a common setting for affairs among cheating men, whereas many cheating women admit to having an affair with an existing friend. Men are notably more likely than women to cheat with complete strangers, though some individuals also reported cheating with past romantic partners.

Interestingly, research indicates that married men are twelve times more likely to have paid for sex during their relationship than married women. Combined with their tendency to cheat with strangers, this suggests that men may be more prone to seeking out opportunities for infidelity.

Additionally, it is noteworthy that most individuals who reported infidelity only had one affair partner, implying that serial cheating may be less common than previously believed.

• A significant 53.5% of affairs occur with someone the individual knows well, indicating that familiarity often plays a role in extramarital relationships.²
• Among cheating men, 44% had an affair with someone from their workplace, highlighting the significance of professional connections in infidelity.⁸
• Conversely, 53% of cheating women had an affair with a friend, emphasizing the role of existing friendships in extramarital involvement.
• When it comes to affairs with strangers, 27% of men engaged in such encounters compared to 9% of women, suggesting that men are more likely to cheat with individuals they have no prior relationship with.⁸
• For both men and women, 9% and 14%, respectively, admitted to cheating with a former partner, indicating that past romantic connections can be a source of infidelity.⁸
• Surprisingly, 12% of men cheated with a sex worker, while only 1% of women engaged in such relationships, pointing to a gender disparity in this type of infidelity.²
• An interesting finding is that 59% of those who cheated only had one extramarital partner, suggesting that the majority of individuals engaged in single instances of infidelity rather than having multiple affairs.⁷

Understanding the Motivations Behind Infidelity:

Infidelity in marriage can stem from a multitude of reasons, making it impossible to encompass all of them here. However, let’s delve into some of the most commonly reported motivations based on recent research.

A prevalent reason for infidelity is dissatisfaction within the marriage. Studies have shown that individuals who perceive their relationship as “very happy” are less likely to stray. However, interestingly, other research has found instances of infidelity even in seemingly content marriages.

Notably, there are gender differences in the motivations behind cheating. Women tend to engage in infidelity to fulfill emotional and intimacy needs, seeking a connection beyond the physical aspect. In contrast, men are more inclined to have affairs to explore specific sexual activities that may not be part of their existing relationship.

Lack of communication and self-disclosure around sexual needs and preferences has been identified as a contributing factor to infidelity in relationships. Additionally, men may resort to cheating when they feel less assertive with their primary partner, using affairs as a means to express themselves more freely.

Both men and women who have cheated often report experiencing low romantic love in their marriage. Feelings of boredom, a lack of emotional support, and unsatisfactory frequency and quality of sex with their spouse are also cited as contributing factors to infidelity.

Other commonly cited reasons for cheating include low self-esteem and a desire for attention. In some cases, anger and a desire for revenge may also drive individuals to engage in extramarital affairs. Furthermore, individuals who cheat tend to express a lower level of personal commitment to their marriage.

These diverse motivations reveal the complex interplay of emotions, needs, and desires that can lead individuals to make choices that may jeopardize their committed relationships.

• Surprisingly, 56% of cheating men and 34% of cheating women reported that their marriage was a happy one at the time of their affair. This suggests that even in seemingly content relationships, infidelity can occur.⁴
• Notably, 44% of men, in contrast to 11% of women, admitted to having an affair primarily for sexual reasons. This highlights a gender difference in the motivations behind extramarital encounters, with men being more inclined to seek affairs for fulfilling specific sexual desires.⁴

Infidelity and Marriage Duration:

Research indicates that the length of a relationship is indeed a risk factor for infidelity, primarily due to the increasing opportunities for such behavior as the marriage progresses.

A study revealed that with each passing year, the chance of a man engaging in infidelity increases by over 6%. This may be attributed to men’s higher likelihood of cheating as they age.

Interestingly, the most common time for infidelity to occur is after approximately seven years of marriage, on average. However, there is a gender difference in the infidelity patterns over time. Men are more likely to engage in affairs after the 18th year of marriage, while women tend to remain faithful after that seventh year.

Confessions and Disclosure of Infidelity:

After an affair takes place, what happens next? In most cases, the cheating partner eventually confesses to their spouse. The most common reason for finally coming clean is guilt, which likely weighs heavily on the cheater’s conscience.

A study conducted by Health Testing Centers revealed that cheaters tend to admit their infidelity fairly quickly. Many confess to their spouse within a week of the cheating incident, and the vast majority do so within six months.

Furthermore, nearly half of cheaters also disclose their infidelity to a friend, potentially seeking support or emotional release during this difficult time.

• A significant number of individuals who engaged in infidelity opted to keep it a secret from their partners. Approximately 22% of cheaters admitted that they never disclosed their affair, concealing their actions from their significant others.³
• On the other hand, a considerable portion, 47.7% of those involved in affairs, chose to come clean within a week of the cheating incident, showing a relatively quick response to the weight of their actions.³
• Within a month, 26.6% of cheaters admitted their infidelity, while 25.7% took up to six months to finally confess, indicating varied timelines in revealing the truth.³
• Among the reasons for eventually confessing, guilt emerged as a predominant factor. Approximately 47% of those who admitted their affair cited guilt as the driving force behind their decision to fess up.³
• Interestingly, nearly half of the individuals involved in infidelity, 47.9%, confided in a friend about their extramarital involvement, possibly seeking support, understanding, or catharsis during this challenging time.³

Divorce Outcomes After Infidelity:

Infidelity has long been recognized as a leading cause of divorce. In one study, over half of the couples who divorced chose to end the marriage promptly upon discovering the infidelity. Others attempted to salvage the relationship before ultimately reaching a point of dissolution.

Interestingly, the study revealed that the unfaithful partner was more inclined to initiate the divorce than the one who was cheated on. This finding suggests that the reasons behind the affair, possibly stemming from unhappiness in the relationship, may play a role in the decision-making process.

Among couples who decided to stay together after infidelity, nearly half had to establish new rules in their relationship. These rules often included sharing passwords or avoiding certain friends, indicating the need to rebuild trust and establish boundaries to move forward.

Regarding post-divorce patterns, men who engaged in infidelity were found to be more likely than women to remarry. However, it is essential to note that men, in general, tend to be more likely to remarry after a divorce, indicating a broader trend beyond infidelity-related divorces.

• Among adults who engaged in infidelity, 40% are now divorced, contrasting with only 17% of those who remained faithful throughout their relationship.¹
• When faced with infidelity, 54.5% of couples decided to break up immediately, while 30% attempted to salvage the relationship, but eventually, it ended.³
• For those who chose to stay together after infidelity, 47.5% reported implementing new relationship rules as part of their healing process.³
• Notably, 37.5% of men and 57% of women had to agree to avoid certain friends going forward, in order to rebuild trust and foster a sense of security in the relationship.³

Closing Thoughts on Infidelity:

Now armed with the facts on infidelity, you can better recognize the signs of a cheater. While some of these statistics may appear alarming, it’s essential to remember that the majority of people remain faithful in committed, monogamous relationships.

If you have questions about whether or not your spouse or partner may be cheating, our expert cheating spouse private investigators at Haywood Hunt & Associates Inc. can help. If you have questions, you deserve answers. Contact us today.