Cheating is a common problem in relationships. In this article, we have gathered several cheating statistics that you should know.
There are a number of reasons why people are unfaithful to their spouse/partner.
Some people cheat because they are unhappy or dissatisfied in their relationships.
Others cheat because they are bored or seeking excitement. Some people cheat because they have a sex addiction.
Cheating can have a number of negative consequences, including damage to the relationship, emotional pain, financial problems, and physical health problems.
We will include more details on these negative effects in this resource.
If you’re struggling with cheating in your relationship, there are some things you can do.
You can talk to your partner about your concerns, seek counseling or therapy, and/or join a support group for people who have been cheated on.
Remember you’re not alone.
Cheating is a common problem, and there are people who can help you
Key Statistics
- 20% of men and 13% of women say they have cheated on their spouse.
- Infidelity among women has increased by 40% since 1990.
- 16% of married adults admitted to having an affair at least once during the marriage.
- 30% of physical affairs start in the workplace.
- Research shows that 57% of all marriages end in divorce after infidelity.
- 60% of unfaithful spouses weren’t looking to get divorced prior to their affair.
- 88% of women are more concerned about emotional affairs than physical affairs.
- 45% of men and 35% of women have had emotional “affairs”.
- The workplace accounts for 60% of where all emotional affairs begin.
- 91% of women and 77% of men have admitted to an emotional affair.
General Cheating Statistics in 2025
1. As of 2017, 20% of Men and 13% of Women Say They Have Cheated on Their Spouse.
In a 2017 study of married couples, 20% admitted to having had sex with someone other than their husband or wife.
While sexual harassment and abuse isn’t technically infidelity, many women whose husbands cheated on them perceive it that way, which is understandable.
(IFS)
2. Infidelity Among Women Has Increased by 40% Since 1990.
Infidelity rates among women are on the rise, having increased by 40% in the last 20 years.
In fact, in the United Kingdom, Illicit Encounters, a dating app for married people, has seen an uptake of 50% of women registering for this affair matchmaking service in 2023.
Most women say they cheat due to not getting emotional satisfaction or stimuli from sex with their spouse.
That’s not the only reason, but it’s one of many.
(Evening Standard)
3. 16% of Married Adults Admitted to Having an Affair at Least Once During the Marriage.
A study in 2019 revealed that 16% of married adults said they committed adultery during their current marriage, according to respondents.
This study wasn’t measuring any infidelities that may have occurred in former marriages, but only current marriages.
The number of lifetime sexual partners correlates with the likelihood of infidelity, according to this study.
(IFS)
4. 30% of physical affairs start in the workplace.
The closeness and convenience of the workplace has been known to be the start of many extramarital affairs.
In fact, 30% of unfaithfulness starts in the workplace.
This means that we should all be aware of being careful about how emotionally connected we get with our coworkers, especially if there is any romantic attraction.
It’s not just something you see on television and in the movies. It happens in real life.
(Gitnux)
5. Research Shows that 57% of All Marriages End in Divorce After Infidelity.
When more than half of marriages where infidelity is a factor end in divorce, we must take this seriously.
This is one of the consequences of cheating you can’t always avoid.
Cheating statistics reveal that 57% of marriages that suffer infidelity on either side of the marriage end in divorce.
Even when the couple doesn’t get divorced, it’s a long haul to get back the trust and closeness of the marital relationship, which takes more than a little hard work.
(Gitnux)
6. 60% of Unfaithful Spouses Weren’t Looking to Get Divorced Prior to Their Affair.
According to data, 60% of married individuals have no intention of getting divorced before they have an affair.
It’s important to note that most people don’t want to get divorced and have no intention of leaving their partner when they first have an affair.
We all make mistakes, but infidelity is a big one that you should consider before you start something with someone who isn’t your spouse.
(Gitnux)
Emotional Cheating Statistics
7. 88% of Women Are More Concerned About Emotional Affairs than Physical Affairs.
Emotional cheating isn’t sex, but it borders on being as intimate as you can get without physical contact.
There may sometimes be a sexual or erotic tension there, but there is no sex.
In these instances, 88% of women say they are more upset by emotional cheating, which accounts for double the percentage of men who say the same thing.
Due to the sustainability of emotional infidelity, it can be even more devastating than a physical affair.
(HRF, Insider)
8. 45% of Men and 35% of Women Have Had Emotional “Affairs”.
Even though emotional cheating isn’t usually sexual, it’s still an intimate act that doesn’t include your spouse/partner.
According to studies, 45% of men have admittedly committed emotional infidelity compared to 35% of women.
It can happen on all sides of a relationship.
Also, this is higher than the 20% of those who admitted to a physical affair.
(Couples Academy)
9. The Workplace Accounts for 60% of Where All Emotional Affairs Begin.
When you think about it, it’s easy to get emotionally attached to coworkers.
So, the fact that 60% of emotional affairs start in the workplace shouldn’t be surprising.
It’s not unusual for people to engage in emotional cheating with someone they know.
It can happen due to longer working hours or too much alone time, which creates marital dissatisfaction.
(HRF)
10. Couples Under 30 Are at The Most Risk of Having Emotional Affairs.
The fact that people under 30 years old continue to be the demographic that is more likely to be unfaithful puts them at a higher risk of emotional affairs.
Naturally, couples of all ages, races, and statuses cheat. It’s just more prevalent in the younger crowd.
It may be due to a lack of maturity or not being ready for a committed relationship.
(Couples Academy, HRF, WSJ)
11. 91% of Women and 77% of Men Have Admitted to An Emotional Affair.
The Truth about Deception Project has been conducting a survey with 95,000 participants.
Of these participants, 90% of women admitted to emotional cheating compared to 77% of men.
Not all emotional affairs become physical affairs, but the emotional connection between the emotional cheaters can be stronger than in their marriage or relationship.
(Medium)
Interesting Cheating Demographics
12. In France, Women Who Cheat on Their Partners Have Increased from 10% to 38% Since 1970.
In 2022, Statista reported that the percentage of French women who have cheated on their significant other has increased from 10% to 38% since 1970.
In 2001, this percentage accounted for 24%, which rose to 32% by 2014, 33% by 2016, and 37% by 2019.
We’re almost positive that French women aren’t the only demographic with this kind of growth.
(Statista)
13. 76% of Americans Perceive Cheating as Immoral.
The perception of committing adultery in America is still overwhelmingly morally wrong at 76% of Americans surveyed.
Even with the increase in “open” marriages, most people aren’t willing to accept cheating.
Moreover, most Americans said they feel that extramarital affairs are always wrong.
If you think this is about religion, you might be surprised that even people who aren’t religious think cheating is wrong.
(HerNorm)
14. 86% of People Who Have Experienced Being Cheated on Say They Started to Deal with Their Emotions After a Year.
It’s a fact that getting over being cheated on takes time.
While the time it takes varies according to the person, 86% of survey participants said that they were able to deal better with their emotions after one year had passed.
It can be more challenging and painful to others, so remember that this is just a statistic.
(Gitnux)
15. 47.7% of Cheating Adults Told Their Partners They Cheated Within a Week of The Occurrence.
Nearly half of all cheaters tell their partners that they cheated within a week after they were unfaithful.
The actual percentage is 47.7%, which shows you that guilt likely drives this admittance.
On the bright side, it probably means that the cheater is also a communicator, which is rare.
Still, due to this kind of communication, a marriage could be saved and even grow into a better marriage.
That may not be the “norm”, but it’s certainly possible.
(HerNorm)
FAQs
What Are the Most Common Reasons for Cheating?
The most common reasons for cheating are a lack of intimacy in the relationship, boredom, feeling unappreciated, and seeking excitement.
Cheating isn’t usually about sex, though sometimes it is if the person has a sex addiction.
It’s more about intimacy, feeling connected, and having someone to understand your feelings.
What Are the Most Common Signs that A Partner Is Cheating?
Some of the most common signs that a partner is cheating include:
• Sudden changes in behavior, such as spending more time away from home or being secretive about their phone or computer.
If you don’t have your spouse’s phone password, that could be a sign. While this isn’t solid proof, it can be a red flag of some kind.
• Changes in physical appearance, such as wearing more revealing clothing or trying to look younger.
Remember, not all physical improvements equal a cheating spouse, but sometimes it does.
Sometimes men or women just want to improve themselves for themselves or their partners.
• Sudden mood swings, such as becoming more irritable or withdrawn.
Mood swings can also occur because of depression or other problems, but if there is already trouble in the relationship, these are noticeable signs.
• Increased interest in sex or a sudden decrease in sexual activity.
What Are the Consequences of Cheating?
Here are some negative outcomes from cheating:
• Damage to the relationship, including loss of trust, intimacy, and respect.
This is challenging to regain and retain.
• Emotional pain, such as anger, sadness, and betrayal. Betrayal plays a significant role in cheating.
• Financial problems, such as the cost of counseling or divorce.
Divorces cost money, as does having to live on your own. Credit problems could arise and create even more issues.
• Physical health problems, such as stress-related illnesses.
Stress can put a log of work on your internal organs like your heart, kidneys, intestines, etc.
That can result in various physical illnesses.
What Can Be Done to Prevent Cheating?
Here are some things you can do to prevent cheating:
Open communication: It is important to be open and honest with your partner about your needs and desires.
Communication can help you work through distrust or lack of connection issues before anything happens.
Trust: Trust is essential for a healthy relationship. If you do not trust your partner, they are more likely to cheat.
Too many times a person who cheated says that their partner was always accusing them, so they finally did it.
Commitment: Both partners need to be committed to the relationship. If you’re not committed, you’re more likely to cheat.
Commitment to a relationship goes beyond the physical and sexual aspects. Intimacy begins with communication and commitment.
What Should You Do if You Suspect Your Partner Is Cheating?
If you suspect your partner is cheating, the first thing you should do is talk to them.
If they are unwilling to talk about it or deny it, you may need to hire a private investigator or check their phone or computer.
No matter what, communication is crucial to trust and healing in the long run.
What Should You Do if You Find out Your Partner Has Cheated?
If you find out your partner has cheated, it’s important to take time to process that before making any relationship decisions.
You may choose to talk to a therapist or counselor to help you deal with your emotions.
You should probably avoid talking to friends and relatives since they will be biased and could possibly create more issues and confusion.
Can a Relationship Survive Infidelity?
Yes, it’s possible for a relationship to survive infidelity.
However, it’s important to remember that it will take time, effort, and forgiveness on both sides.
If both partners are willing to work hard, it is possible to rebuild the trust and intimacy that was lost.
What Are Some Resources for People Who Have Been Cheated On?
There are a number of resources available for people who have been cheated on, including:
Counseling: A therapist can help you deal with your emotions and make decisions about your relationship.
Be prepared to be open and honest about your feelings and thoughts.
Support groups: There are a number of support groups for people who have been cheated on.
These groups can provide you with support and understanding.
Anytime you can talk among like-minded peers, you can find healing and understanding.
Marriage and relationship books: There are a number of books that can help you deal with infidelity.
These books can provide you with information and support.
What Are Some Things You Can Do to Prevent Yourself from Cheating?
Here are some things you can do to prevent yourself from cheating:
• Be honest with yourself about your needs and desires.
• Communicate with your partner about your needs and desires.
• Set boundaries in your relationship.
• Avoid situations that could lead to cheating.
• If you’re feeling tempted to cheat, talk to your partner or a therapist.
What Are Some Things You Can Do if You’re Struggling with The Idea of Your Partner Cheating?
If you’re struggling with the idea of your partner cheating, it is important to remember that you’re not alone.
Many people experience this type of fear or anxiety. There are a number of things you can do to cope with this fear, such as:
• Talk to your partner about your fears.
• Seek support from a therapist or counselor. You will want someone who is unbiased to talk to at this time. You can get support from family and friends once you can cope better from the initial shock.
• Practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation.
• Focus on positive aspects of your relationship.
Conclusion
The fact is that cheating is a complex issue with no easy answers.
However, by understanding these statistics and the reasons why people cheat, we can better equip ourselves to deal with this issue in our own relationships.
How you handle, manage, cope, and heal after infidelity is entirely up to you and your partner.
There is no “cookie-cutter” solution for everyone.
We all have different beliefs, behaviors, characteristics, and attitudes that impact our ability or willingness to forgive and move forward after this kind of betrayal.
However, with time, effort, and support, it’s possible to heal from the pain of infidelity and rebuild trust and intimacy in your relationship.
Don’t lose hope.
We hope you have learned something helpful from these cheating statistics today.
