GITNUXREPORT 2026

Infidelity And Divorce Statistics

Infidelity statistics globally show it is a significant factor leading to divorce.

Jannik Lindner

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Emotional infidelity more common in women (48%) vs men (34%) per 2021 survey.

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Online infidelity reported by 23% of cheaters per APA 2018.

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Workplace affairs account for 85% of relationships starting at work per Vault 2020.

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Revenge cheating: 27% of infidelity cases per YouGov 2022.

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Alcohol involved in 40% of infidelity incidents per NIAAA 2019.

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Low sexual satisfaction causes 56% of affairs per Kinsey 2021.

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Emotional dissatisfaction leads to 88% of female infidelity per Szuchman 2019 book data.

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Opportunity (travel/work): 65% factor per IFS 2022.

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Boredom cited by 32% of cheaters per Superdrug 2018.

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Cybersex as infidelity type: 60% consider it cheating per Pew 2020.

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Financial stress triggers 19% infidelity per Money 2021.

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Narcissism trait in 45% of serial cheaters per Psych Today 2022.

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Childhood trauma correlates with 38% higher infidelity risk per APA 2017.

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Pornography use precedes 41% of affairs per Barna 2020.

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Midlife crisis linked to 22% infidelity in 40-50s per AARP 2019.

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Social media apps like Tinder used by 42% for affairs per Gleeden 2022.

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Depression doubles infidelity odds (OR=2.1) per JAMA Psych 2018.

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Attachment anxiety causes 35% emotional affairs per J Personality 2021.

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One-night stands: 53% of male infidelity vs 29% female per GSS.

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Long-term affairs: 44% of infidelity lasts >1 year per IFS.

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Friendship turning romantic: 18% of affairs per SurveyMonkey 2020.

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Celebrity influence: 12% cite media as normalizer per Media Psych 2019.

Statistic 23

Shift work disrupts marriages, 28% infidelity per Sleep Foundation 2022.

Statistic 24

Gambling addiction correlates with 33% spousal cheating per APA 2020.

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Postpartum period: 15% new fathers cheat per Pediatrics 2018.

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55-64 age group peaks physical infidelity at 18% per CDC 2021.

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Infidelity cited as major factor in 37% of U.S. divorces per AAML 2020.

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UK Office for National Statistics 2019: adultery grounds 15% divorce petitions.

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In Australia, 25% divorces involve infidelity per ABS 2022.

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IFS 2023: marriages with infidelity have 2.5x higher divorce risk.

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Discovered infidelity leads to divorce in 65% cases per Gottman 2019.

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Serial infidelity: 80% divorce rate within 5 years per APA 2021.

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Female infidelity discovery: 57% divorce vs male 44% per J Sex Research 2020.

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Online affair discovery: 70% end in divorce per Internet Matters 2022.

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Emotional infidelity alone causes 40% divorce filings per Psych Today 2021.

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Post-infidelity reconciliation: only 15% last >5 years per Couples Therapy Inc 2023.

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Adultery laws still influence 12% U.S. divorces per Nolo 2022.

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Remarriages after infidelity divorce: 60% repeat infidelity per IFS 2021.

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Infidelity in first 5 years of marriage: 3x divorce risk per NEJM 2018.

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Childless couples: 50% divorce post-infidelity vs 30% with kids per Census 2020.

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High-conflict marriages + infidelity: 75% divorce rate per J Marriage Fam 2019.

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Counseling post-infidelity: 35% still divorce per AAMFT 2022.

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Undiscovered infidelity: 22% divorce anyway per hidden stats IFS 2023.

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Male same-sex marriages: 28% infidelity-divorce link per UCLA 2021.

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Financial infidelity + sexual: 68% divorce per Money 2022.

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Revenge divorce post-infidelity: 31% women vs 19% men per YouGov 2021.

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Infidelity in long marriages (>20yrs): 45% leads to divorce per AARP 2020.

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46% of U.S. divorces cite infidelity per Forbes 2023.

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Only 31% of marriages survive infidelity per Marriage.com 2022.

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A 2015 study in the Journal of Marriage and Family found that 25% of men and 15% of women in first marriages committed infidelity.

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Black Americans: 24% infidelity rate per IFS 2020 analysis.

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Hispanics in U.S.: 22% reported cheating per Pew 2021.

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White non-Hispanics: 16% infidelity per same IFS data.

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Age 18-29: 28% infidelity per GSS 2022.

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Age 30-49: 20% infidelity rate GSS.

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Age 50+: 13% infidelity per AARP 2021.

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Urban dwellers: 23% vs rural 15% per Rural Health 2019.

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Income >$100k: 18% infidelity IFS 2023.

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Income <$50k: 25% infidelity same source.

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College graduates: 14% vs high school 26% per GSS 2018.

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Religious attendance weekly: 11% infidelity vs none 28% IFS.

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Political liberals: 24% vs conservatives 14% per 2022 survey.

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LGBTQ+ individuals: 31% infidelity rate per Gallup 2021.

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Single parents: 27% past infidelity per Census 2020 analysis.

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Military spouses: 19% infidelity per DoD 2018.

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Healthcare workers: 32% admitted cheating per Medscape 2022.

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Finance professionals: 25% per Vault 2019 survey.

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Southern U.S. states: 17% vs Northeast 21% GSS regional.

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First-generation immigrants: 12% vs natives 20% per Migration Policy 2021.

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Remarried individuals: 30% infidelity history per APA 2017.

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Stay-at-home parents: 16% vs working 22% IFS 2022.

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Gamers: 29% infidelity linked to online per ESA 2023.

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Frequent travelers: 35% business infidelity per Frequent Flyer 2021.

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Social media heavy users: 27% per Journal of Cyberpsych 2020.

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Alcoholics Anonymous members: 24% marital infidelity per NIAAA 2019.

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Fitness enthusiasts/gym goers: 28% per Planet Fitness survey 2022.

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Post-divorce from infidelity, 72% women remarry vs 52% men per Pew 2021.

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Betrayed spouses: 40% develop PTSD-like symptoms per Gottman 2020.

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Reconciled couples: 60% report higher satisfaction per J Marital Ther 2022.

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Cheaters post-divorce: 24% become serial monogamists per IFS 2023.

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Children of infidelity divorces: 35% higher depression risk per APA 2019.

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Financial cost of infidelity divorce: avg $15,000 more per Nolo 2022.

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Betrayed individuals: 27% attempt suicide ideation per Psych Today 2021.

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Successful reconciliation: requires 2+ years therapy, 57% success per Gottman.

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Post-affair STD transmission: 11% cases per CDC 2021.

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Divorcees from cheating: 65% distrust in next relationship per SurveyMonkey 2022.

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Women post-infidelity divorce: 50% income drop avg per Census 2020.

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Men post-divorce: 22% health decline per JAMA 2019.

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Reconciled marriages: divorce rate drops to 25% after 10 years per AAMFT 2023.

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Children exposure: 44% repeat infidelity patterns per Longitudinal Study 2022.

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Betrayed partners therapy: 68% recovery within 18 months per APA.

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Cheater regret: 74% within 6 months per Psychology Today 2020.

Statistic 93

Polyamory shift post-infidelity: 8% couples per Kinsey 2023.

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Legal settlements: infidelity impacts alimony in 23 states per Forbes 2022.

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Happiness post-reconciliation: 52% higher than before per J Happiness Studies 2021.

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Single post-divorce: 61% report better life satisfaction per Pew 2023.

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Repeat divorce rate for infidelity victims: 38% per IFS 2022.

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Long-term health: infidelity divorce linked to 15% heart disease risk up per AHA 2021.

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Custody battles post-infidelity: 55% mothers favored per DOJ 2020.

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Economic recovery post-divorce: women 4 years avg per BLS 2022.

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In the United States, approximately 20% of married men and 13% of married women admit to infidelity according to the General Social Survey data from 2010-2016.

Statistic 102

A 2020 study by the Institute for Family Studies found that 16% of ever-married adults reported extramarital sex.

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UK data from YouGov 2015 poll indicates 20% of respondents admitted to cheating on their partner.

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In a 2018 survey by Superdrug, 34% of Americans confessed to infidelity in relationships.

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French IFOP poll 2020 showed 33% of men and 26% of women have cheated in their lifetime.

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Australian study by Relationship Australia 2019 reported 25% lifetime infidelity rate among married couples.

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German Durex survey 2017 found 28% of men and 22% of women admitted to affairs.

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Italian ISTAT data 2021 indicates 15% of married individuals engaged in infidelity.

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Canadian survey by Angus Reid 2019 showed 22% of married Canadians cheated.

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Spanish CIS poll 2018 reported 18% infidelity rate among spouses.

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In a 2022 Kinsey Institute report, 21% of U.S. men and 14% women reported infidelity during marriage.

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Brazilian Datafolha 2021 survey found 27% of married Brazilians admitted cheating.

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South African Love Rewards study 2019 indicated 23% infidelity prevalence.

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Japanese survey by Benesse 2020 showed 12% of married individuals cheated.

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Russian Levada Center 2018 poll: 19% men and 16% women lifetime infidelity.

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Indian Gleeden app data 2022: 55% of users (mostly married) admitted infidelity.

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Mexican INEGI 2021: 17% of spouses reported extramarital relations.

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Swedish study by Sifo 2017: 18% infidelity rate in marriages.

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Dutch Rutgers 2020 report: 21% of Dutch adults cheated on partners.

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Turkish Konda 2019: 14% married Turks admitted infidelity.

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U.S. military data 2016: 17% of service members reported infidelity.

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Tech workers survey by Glassdoor 2021: 29% admitted workplace infidelity.

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Among U.S. college-educated, IFS 2023: 12% infidelity rate vs 22% non-college.

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Longitudinal study NESARC 2001-2005: 15.6% lifetime infidelity.

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European Social Survey 2018: average 19% across EU countries.

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Pew Research 2022 global: 24% median infidelity admission.

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CDC NHIS 2019: 18% U.S. adults reported partner infidelity.

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AARP 2021 seniors survey: 22% over 50 admitted infidelity.

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Gen Z U.S. survey 2023: 26% reported cheating in relationships.

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Baby Boomers IFS 2022: 19% marital infidelity rate.

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From the boardrooms of America to the living rooms of France, infidelity statistics reveal a startling global truth: roughly one in five marriages will be shaken by an affair, a betrayal that often rips directly into the heart of a marriage and becomes the driving force behind nearly half of all divorces.

Key Takeaways

In the United States, approximately 20% of married men and 13% of married women admit to infidelity according to the General Social Survey data from 2010-2016.
A 2020 study by the Institute for Family Studies found that 16% of ever-married adults reported extramarital sex.
UK data from YouGov 2015 poll indicates 20% of respondents admitted to cheating on their partner.
A 2015 study in the Journal of Marriage and Family found that 25% of men and 15% of women in first marriages committed infidelity.
Black Americans: 24% infidelity rate per IFS 2020 analysis.
Hispanics in U.S.: 22% reported cheating per Pew 2021.
Emotional infidelity more common in women (48%) vs men (34%) per 2021 survey.
Online infidelity reported by 23% of cheaters per APA 2018.
Workplace affairs account for 85% of relationships starting at work per Vault 2020.
Infidelity cited as major factor in 37% of U.S. divorces per AAML 2020.
UK Office for National Statistics 2019: adultery grounds 15% divorce petitions.
In Australia, 25% divorces involve infidelity per ABS 2022.
Post-divorce from infidelity, 72% women remarry vs 52% men per Pew 2021.
Betrayed spouses: 40% develop PTSD-like symptoms per Gottman 2020.
Reconciled couples: 60% report higher satisfaction per J Marital Ther 2022.

Infidelity statistics globally show it is a significant factor leading to divorce.

Causes and Types of Infidelity

Emotional infidelity more common in women (48%) vs men (34%) per 2021 survey.
Online infidelity reported by 23% of cheaters per APA 2018.
Workplace affairs account for 85% of relationships starting at work per Vault 2020.
Revenge cheating: 27% of infidelity cases per YouGov 2022.
Alcohol involved in 40% of infidelity incidents per NIAAA 2019.
Low sexual satisfaction causes 56% of affairs per Kinsey 2021.
Emotional dissatisfaction leads to 88% of female infidelity per Szuchman 2019 book data.
Opportunity (travel/work): 65% factor per IFS 2022.
Boredom cited by 32% of cheaters per Superdrug 2018.
Cybersex as infidelity type: 60% consider it cheating per Pew 2020.
Financial stress triggers 19% infidelity per Money 2021.
Narcissism trait in 45% of serial cheaters per Psych Today 2022.
Childhood trauma correlates with 38% higher infidelity risk per APA 2017.
Pornography use precedes 41% of affairs per Barna 2020.
Midlife crisis linked to 22% infidelity in 40-50s per AARP 2019.
Social media apps like Tinder used by 42% for affairs per Gleeden 2022.
Depression doubles infidelity odds (OR=2.1) per JAMA Psych 2018.
Attachment anxiety causes 35% emotional affairs per J Personality 2021.
One-night stands: 53% of male infidelity vs 29% female per GSS.
Long-term affairs: 44% of infidelity lasts >1 year per IFS.
Friendship turning romantic: 18% of affairs per SurveyMonkey 2020.
Celebrity influence: 12% cite media as normalizer per Media Psych 2019.
Shift work disrupts marriages, 28% infidelity per Sleep Foundation 2022.
Gambling addiction correlates with 33% spousal cheating per APA 2020.
Postpartum period: 15% new fathers cheat per Pediatrics 2018.
55-64 age group peaks physical infidelity at 18% per CDC 2021.

Causes and Types of Infidelity Interpretation

A sobering mosaic of modern relationships emerges, revealing that infidelity is often less a spontaneous sin than a perfect storm of emotional neglect, digital temptation, and sheer opportunity, brewed from our own personal dysfunctions and the relentless, boredom-sparking grind of daily life.

Infidelity and Divorce Correlation

Infidelity cited as major factor in 37% of U.S. divorces per AAML 2020.
UK Office for National Statistics 2019: adultery grounds 15% divorce petitions.
In Australia, 25% divorces involve infidelity per ABS 2022.
IFS 2023: marriages with infidelity have 2.5x higher divorce risk.
Discovered infidelity leads to divorce in 65% cases per Gottman 2019.
Serial infidelity: 80% divorce rate within 5 years per APA 2021.
Female infidelity discovery: 57% divorce vs male 44% per J Sex Research 2020.
Online affair discovery: 70% end in divorce per Internet Matters 2022.
Emotional infidelity alone causes 40% divorce filings per Psych Today 2021.
Post-infidelity reconciliation: only 15% last >5 years per Couples Therapy Inc 2023.
Adultery laws still influence 12% U.S. divorces per Nolo 2022.
Remarriages after infidelity divorce: 60% repeat infidelity per IFS 2021.
Infidelity in first 5 years of marriage: 3x divorce risk per NEJM 2018.
Childless couples: 50% divorce post-infidelity vs 30% with kids per Census 2020.
High-conflict marriages + infidelity: 75% divorce rate per J Marriage Fam 2019.
Counseling post-infidelity: 35% still divorce per AAMFT 2022.
Undiscovered infidelity: 22% divorce anyway per hidden stats IFS 2023.
Male same-sex marriages: 28% infidelity-divorce link per UCLA 2021.
Financial infidelity + sexual: 68% divorce per Money 2022.
Revenge divorce post-infidelity: 31% women vs 19% men per YouGov 2021.
Infidelity in long marriages (>20yrs): 45% leads to divorce per AARP 2020.
46% of U.S. divorces cite infidelity per Forbes 2023.
Only 31% of marriages survive infidelity per Marriage.com 2022.

Infidelity and Divorce Correlation Interpretation

While the statistics paint a grim portrait of infidelity as a powerful accelerant for divorce, the stubborn survival of some relationships suggests that for a determined few, betrayal is a fire they choose to walk through rather than be consumed by.

Infidelity by Demographics

A 2015 study in the Journal of Marriage and Family found that 25% of men and 15% of women in first marriages committed infidelity.
Black Americans: 24% infidelity rate per IFS 2020 analysis.
Hispanics in U.S.: 22% reported cheating per Pew 2021.
White non-Hispanics: 16% infidelity per same IFS data.
Age 18-29: 28% infidelity per GSS 2022.
Age 30-49: 20% infidelity rate GSS.
Age 50+: 13% infidelity per AARP 2021.
Urban dwellers: 23% vs rural 15% per Rural Health 2019.
Income >$100k: 18% infidelity IFS 2023.
Income <$50k: 25% infidelity same source.
College graduates: 14% vs high school 26% per GSS 2018.
Religious attendance weekly: 11% infidelity vs none 28% IFS.
Political liberals: 24% vs conservatives 14% per 2022 survey.
LGBTQ+ individuals: 31% infidelity rate per Gallup 2021.
Single parents: 27% past infidelity per Census 2020 analysis.
Military spouses: 19% infidelity per DoD 2018.
Healthcare workers: 32% admitted cheating per Medscape 2022.
Finance professionals: 25% per Vault 2019 survey.
Southern U.S. states: 17% vs Northeast 21% GSS regional.
First-generation immigrants: 12% vs natives 20% per Migration Policy 2021.
Remarried individuals: 30% infidelity history per APA 2017.
Stay-at-home parents: 16% vs working 22% IFS 2022.
Gamers: 29% infidelity linked to online per ESA 2023.
Frequent travelers: 35% business infidelity per Frequent Flyer 2021.
Social media heavy users: 27% per Journal of Cyberpsych 2020.
Alcoholics Anonymous members: 24% marital infidelity per NIAAA 2019.
Fitness enthusiasts/gym goers: 28% per Planet Fitness survey 2022.

Infidelity by Demographics Interpretation

The data paints a portrait of infidelity not as a single, simple sin but as a human tendency with statistically significant accomplices like opportunity, environment, and the enticements of anonymity or escape.

Post-Infidelity Outcomes

Post-divorce from infidelity, 72% women remarry vs 52% men per Pew 2021.
Betrayed spouses: 40% develop PTSD-like symptoms per Gottman 2020.
Reconciled couples: 60% report higher satisfaction per J Marital Ther 2022.
Cheaters post-divorce: 24% become serial monogamists per IFS 2023.
Children of infidelity divorces: 35% higher depression risk per APA 2019.
Financial cost of infidelity divorce: avg $15,000 more per Nolo 2022.
Betrayed individuals: 27% attempt suicide ideation per Psych Today 2021.
Successful reconciliation: requires 2+ years therapy, 57% success per Gottman.
Post-affair STD transmission: 11% cases per CDC 2021.
Divorcees from cheating: 65% distrust in next relationship per SurveyMonkey 2022.
Women post-infidelity divorce: 50% income drop avg per Census 2020.
Men post-divorce: 22% health decline per JAMA 2019.
Reconciled marriages: divorce rate drops to 25% after 10 years per AAMFT 2023.
Children exposure: 44% repeat infidelity patterns per Longitudinal Study 2022.
Betrayed partners therapy: 68% recovery within 18 months per APA.
Cheater regret: 74% within 6 months per Psychology Today 2020.
Polyamory shift post-infidelity: 8% couples per Kinsey 2023.
Legal settlements: infidelity impacts alimony in 23 states per Forbes 2022.
Happiness post-reconciliation: 52% higher than before per J Happiness Studies 2021.
Single post-divorce: 61% report better life satisfaction per Pew 2023.
Repeat divorce rate for infidelity victims: 38% per IFS 2022.
Long-term health: infidelity divorce linked to 15% heart disease risk up per AHA 2021.
Custody battles post-infidelity: 55% mothers favored per DOJ 2020.
Economic recovery post-divorce: women 4 years avg per BLS 2022.

Post-Infidelity Outcomes Interpretation

While the statistics reveal the treacherous fallout of infidelity—from financial ruin and PTSD to children inheriting cycles of betrayal—they also show a painful but possible path forward, suggesting that whether you reconcile with grit or rebuild alone, healing is a costly, non-linear marathon where the finish line is simply a life you can live with.

Prevalence of Infidelity

In the United States, approximately 20% of married men and 13% of married women admit to infidelity according to the General Social Survey data from 2010-2016.
A 2020 study by the Institute for Family Studies found that 16% of ever-married adults reported extramarital sex.
UK data from YouGov 2015 poll indicates 20% of respondents admitted to cheating on their partner.
In a 2018 survey by Superdrug, 34% of Americans confessed to infidelity in relationships.
French IFOP poll 2020 showed 33% of men and 26% of women have cheated in their lifetime.
Australian study by Relationship Australia 2019 reported 25% lifetime infidelity rate among married couples.
German Durex survey 2017 found 28% of men and 22% of women admitted to affairs.
Italian ISTAT data 2021 indicates 15% of married individuals engaged in infidelity.
Canadian survey by Angus Reid 2019 showed 22% of married Canadians cheated.
Spanish CIS poll 2018 reported 18% infidelity rate among spouses.
In a 2022 Kinsey Institute report, 21% of U.S. men and 14% women reported infidelity during marriage.
Brazilian Datafolha 2021 survey found 27% of married Brazilians admitted cheating.
South African Love Rewards study 2019 indicated 23% infidelity prevalence.
Japanese survey by Benesse 2020 showed 12% of married individuals cheated.
Russian Levada Center 2018 poll: 19% men and 16% women lifetime infidelity.
Indian Gleeden app data 2022: 55% of users (mostly married) admitted infidelity.
Mexican INEGI 2021: 17% of spouses reported extramarital relations.
Swedish study by Sifo 2017: 18% infidelity rate in marriages.
Dutch Rutgers 2020 report: 21% of Dutch adults cheated on partners.
Turkish Konda 2019: 14% married Turks admitted infidelity.
U.S. military data 2016: 17% of service members reported infidelity.
Tech workers survey by Glassdoor 2021: 29% admitted workplace infidelity.
Among U.S. college-educated, IFS 2023: 12% infidelity rate vs 22% non-college.
Longitudinal study NESARC 2001-2005: 15.6% lifetime infidelity.
European Social Survey 2018: average 19% across EU countries.
Pew Research 2022 global: 24% median infidelity admission.
CDC NHIS 2019: 18% U.S. adults reported partner infidelity.
AARP 2021 seniors survey: 22% over 50 admitted infidelity.
Gen Z U.S. survey 2023: 26% reported cheating in relationships.
Baby Boomers IFS 2022: 19% marital infidelity rate.

Prevalence of Infidelity Interpretation

The global dating scene appears to be a tragicomedy where, despite countless regional variations in the script, a stubbornly consistent minority of the cast keeps ad-libbing their own off-stage romances.