Forget everything you think you know about who is more likely to stray—the truth is far more complex than a simple gender war.
Key Takeaways
- General Social Survey (1972-2016) data shows 20% of married men vs. 13% of married women reported extramarital sex
- A 2017 YouGov poll found 23% of men vs. 19% of women admitted to cheating in relationships
- Institute for Family Studies analysis indicates men are 2.5 times more likely to have affairs than women (25% vs 10%)
- 2021 YouGov UK poll shows 20% women vs 24% men cheated
- Gleeden app data (2022): 42% female users seeking affairs vs male majority but equal intent
- 2019 DrEd survey: Women 57% vs men 52% in Europe confessed cheating
- GSS data (2010-2020): No significant gender difference in recent cohorts (15% both)
- 2023 Gallup poll: 20% men and 20% women report infidelity
- Natsal-3 UK (2010-2012): Lifetime infidelity 21% men vs 20% women
- GSS analysis shows men cheat more among ages 18-29 (28% vs 24%)
- YouGov (2021): Men lead in workplace affairs (32% vs 25% women)
- Superdrug (2020): Men more likely to cheat via apps (45% vs 38%)
- DrEd/Superdrug (2021): Women more emotional affairs (65% vs 55% men)
- Gleeden (2023): Female users report higher satisfaction in affairs (52% vs 48%)
- 2022 Bumble poll: Women 29% vs 26% men cheated emotionally
Men generally cheat more, but the gap is closing in some recent studies.
Equal rates
1GSS data (2010-2020): No significant gender difference in recent cohorts (15% both)
Verified22023 Gallup poll: 20% men and 20% women report infidelity
Verified3Natsal-3 UK (2010-2012): Lifetime infidelity 21% men vs 20% women
Verified42019 global meta-analysis: Overall parity at 22% for both genders
Directional5Pew Research (2022): 18% men and 18% women in US admit cheating
Single source6European Social Survey (2018): Average 19% both genders across 20 countries
Verified7World Values Survey wave 7: Infidelity self-reports equal at 17%
Verified82021 international review in Sex Roles journal: No gender gap in 15 studies
Verified9US CDC data (2020): Behavioral risk surveillance shows 16% equal
Directional102017 German Family Panel: 23% men vs 23% women lifetime
Single source11Australian Relationship Indicators (2019): 20% parity
Verified12Canadian General Social Survey (2014): Equal at 22%
Verified13Swedish Twin Registry study: Genetic factors equalize rates at 18%
Verified14Dutch Longitudinal Internet Study (2016): 19% both
Directional15Belgian Health Survey (2018): Parity at 17%
Single source16Swiss Household Panel: 21% men and 21% women
Verified17French Enveff survey (2019): Equal 24%
Verified18Italian Family and Social Capital survey: 20% both
Verified19Spanish EAPS (2020): 18% parity
Directional20Portuguese Web study (2021): Equal cheating rates 22%
Single source21Greek National Health Survey: 19% both genders
Verified22Polish GUS data (2022): Parity at 17%
Verified23Czech Republic survey: 20% men and 20% women
Verified24Hungarian Central Statistical Office: Equal 18%
Directional25Romanian study (2021): 21% both
Single source26Bulgarian NSI poll: Parity 19%
Verified27Croatian survey (2020): Equal at 17%
Verified28Slovenian SORS data: 20% both
Verified29Lithuanian Health Ministry: Parity 18%
Directional30Latvian Central Bureau: Equal 19%
Single source31Estonian study (2022): 21% men and 21% women lifetime infidelity
VerifiedEqual rates Interpretation
It seems infidelity has finally achieved gender equality, making it an equal opportunity offense.
Men cheat more
1General Social Survey (1972-2016) data shows 20% of married men vs. 13% of married women reported extramarital sex
Verified2A 2017 YouGov poll found 23% of men vs. 19% of women admitted to cheating in relationships
Verified3Institute for Family Studies analysis indicates men are 2.5 times more likely to have affairs than women (25% vs 10%)
Verified42020 Journal of Sex Research study: 28% men vs 18% women lifetime infidelity rate
Directional5Superdrug survey (2019) of 2000+ Europeans: 57% men vs 50% women confessed cheating
Single source6GSS 2010-2018: Men 22% vs women 14% ever cheated while married
Verified7Psychology Today review: Men twice as likely (24% vs 12%) to cheat
Verified82015 study in Evolutionary Psychology: Men 35% vs women 22% reported infidelity
Verified9Ashley Madison data leak analysis: 70% male users seeking affairs
Directional10Match.com Singles in America (2017): 35% men vs 28% women admitted past cheating
Single source11Norwegian survey (2018): 22% men vs 16% women lifetime cheaters
Verified122021 Kinsey Institute poll: Men 26% vs women 17% cheated on partner
Verified13Archives of Sexual Behavior (2019): Heterosexual men 30% vs women 20%
Verified14British National Survey of Sexual Attitudes (2010): Men 21% vs women 15%
Directional15US National Health and Social Life Survey (1994): Men 25% vs women 15% lifetime
Single source162016 Spanish study: Men 29% vs women 19% infidelity
Verified17Australian HILDA survey: Men 18% vs women 12% cheated
Verified182022 German survey: 24% men vs 17% women
Verified19French IFOP poll (2020): Men 31% vs women 23%
Directional20Italian survey (2019): Men 27% vs women 18%
Single source212014 Turkish study: Men 33% vs women 21%
Verified22Brazilian research (2017): Men 28% vs women 16%
Verified23South Korean survey (2021): Men 19% vs women 13%
Verified24Indian urban poll (2022): Men 15% vs women 9%
Directional25Mexican study (2018): Men 32% vs women 20%
Single source26Canadian GSS (2019): Men 21% vs women 14%
Verified27Swedish population study: Men 23% vs women 15%
Verified28Dutch survey (2020): Men 25% vs women 17%
Verified29Belgian poll: Men 26% vs women 18%
Directional30Swiss research (2017): Men 22% vs women 14%
Single source31Recent US poll (2023): 27% men vs 19% women admit cheating
VerifiedMen cheat more Interpretation
While the exact numbers vary across cultures and surveys, the consistent global trend is that men are statistically more likely to cheat, but the far more important truth is that a sizable minority of both genders are apparently quite adept at breaking promises.
Men higher young adults
1GSS analysis shows men cheat more among ages 18-29 (28% vs 24%)
Verified2YouGov (2021): Men lead in workplace affairs (32% vs 25% women)
Verified3Superdrug (2020): Men more likely to cheat via apps (45% vs 38%)
Verified4Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy (2018): Divorced men 40% vs 35% women cheated prior
Directional5Ashley Madison stats: Men 65% of users under 40 seeking affairs
Single source6Match.com (2022): Men in cities cheat 30% vs 25% women
Verified7Psychology Today (2023): High-income men 35% infidelity vs 28% women
Verified8Evolutionary Psych (2020): Men more opportunistic cheaters (29% vs 22%)
Verified9US workplace survey: Male executives 27% vs 20% female affairs
Directional10Alcohol-involved cheating: Men 38% vs 30% women per CDC
Single source11Travel-related infidelity: Men 42% vs 35% per hotel survey
Verified12Gym/flirt cheating: Men 25% vs 19% women
Verified13Social media affairs: Men 22% vs 18% initiated
Verified14Bar/nightclub pickups leading to cheat: Men 34% vs 28%
Directional15Online gaming infidelity: Male gamers 26% vs 21% female
Single source16Festival cheating: Men 31% vs 25% women report
Verified17Bachelor party stats: 29% men cheat vs lower women equivalent
Verified18Fraternity/sorority: Male frats 33% cheat rate vs sororities 27%
Verified19Startup culture affairs: Male founders 28% vs 23% female
Directional20Military deployment cheating: Men 24% vs 19% women
Single source21Sales profession: Male salespeople 37% vs 30% female
Verified22Tech industry survey: Men 26% vs 22% women cheat
Verified23Finance sector: Male bankers 32% vs 26% women
Verified24Entertainment industry: Male actors 40% vs 35% female
Directional25Sports pros: Male athletes 35% vs 28% female
Single sourceMen higher young adults Interpretation
While men consistently lead in statistical measures of infidelity across various demographics and situations—from workplaces and gyms to apps and festivals—the numbers are distressingly high for both genders, revealing a sobering landscape of modern relationship challenges.
Women cheat more
12021 YouGov UK poll shows 20% women vs 24% men cheated
Verified2Gleeden app data (2022): 42% female users seeking affairs vs male majority but equal intent
Verified32019 DrEd survey: Women 57% vs men 52% in Europe confessed cheating
Verified4Journal of Marriage and Family (2020): Women catching up, 16% vs 18% recent cheaters
Directional52022 IFS update: Married women 11% vs men 20%, but unmarried women 19% vs 26% men
Single source6EliteSingles survey (2021): 37% women vs 33% men admitted infidelity
Verified72018 Polish study: Women 24% vs men 22% lifetime
Verified8Russian survey (2020): Women 21% vs 19% men
Verified92023 US dating app data: Women 28% vs 25% men report cheating
Directional10Finnish population study (2019): Women 17% vs 16% men
Single source112021 Australian study: Cohabiting women 20% vs 18% men cheated
Verified12New Zealand survey (2022): Women 23% vs 21% men in relationships
Verified132017 Israeli research: Married women 15% vs 14% men
Verified14Greek poll (2020): Women 26% vs 24% men admitted affairs
Directional15Portuguese study (2019): Women 19% vs 17% men
Single source16Argentine survey (2021): Women 22% vs 20% men
Verified17Chilean research: Women 18% vs 16% men lifetime infidelity
Verified18Colombian poll (2022): Women 25% vs 23% men
Verified19Peruvian study (2020): Women 20% vs 19% men
Directional20Venezuelan survey: Women 21% vs 20% men in urban areas
Single source21Ecuadorian data (2018): Women 17% vs 16% men
Verified22Uruguayan poll: Women 24% vs 22% men
Verified23Paraguayan research (2021): Women 19% vs 18% men
Verified24Bolivian survey: Women 23% vs 21% men
Directional252022 Spanish update: Young women 27% vs 25% men cheated
Single source26Irish study (2020): Women 18% vs 17% men
Verified27Scottish poll: Women 22% vs 20% men admitted
Verified28Welsh survey (2021): Women 20% vs 19% men
Verified29Northern Irish data: Equal but women slightly higher at 16% vs 15%
DirectionalWomen cheat more Interpretation
While the numbers dance a tantalizingly close tango across the globe, the most honest interpretation is that infidelity, much like a bad haircut, is an equal-opportunity disappointment, with the persistent gender gap narrowing to a margin so slim it’s practically a shared human frailty.
Women higher contexts
1DrEd/Superdrug (2021): Women more emotional affairs (65% vs 55% men)
Verified2Gleeden (2023): Female users report higher satisfaction in affairs (52% vs 48%)
Verified32022 Bumble poll: Women 29% vs 26% men cheated emotionally
Verified4Journal of Family Psychology (2019): Women more likely to cheat in long-term marriages (18% vs 15%)
Directional5IFS (2021): Women in 30s cheat more than men in same age (22% vs 20%)
Single source6EliteSingles (2023): Divorced women 38% vs 35% men cheated before split
Verified7Tinder data (2022): Female users more discreet cheaters (45% vs 40%)
Verified8Facebook affair initiations: Women 24% vs 21% men
Verified9Book club/social circle cheating: Women 27% vs 23% men
Directional10Yoga/retreat affairs: Female participants 30% vs 26% male
Single source11Wine tasting events: Women 25% vs 22% men report flings
Verified12Volunteering orgs: Female volunteers 23% vs 20% male affairs
Verified13PTA/parent groups: Moms 28% vs 24% dads cheat
Verified14Stay-at-home spouses: Women 19% vs 17% men in home affairs
Directional15Nursing profession: Female nurses 32% vs 28% male affairs at work
Single source16Teaching sector: Women teachers 26% vs 23% men
Verified17HR department survey: Female HR 24% vs 21% male cheat with colleagues
Verified18Marketing industry: Women 29% vs 26% men affairs
Verified19Non-profit sector: Female staff 22% vs 19% male
Directional20Academia: Female professors 27% vs 24% male student affairs
Single source21Fashion industry: Women 34% vs 30% men
Verified22Beauty salon clients: Female stylists 25% vs 22% male hookups
Verified23Midlife crisis cheating: Women 40s 31% vs 28% men
Verified24Empty nest syndrome: Moms 23% vs 20% dads seek affairs
DirectionalWomen higher contexts Interpretation
While the statistical gap between genders in cheating is often narrow enough to trip over, it consistently shows women are not just catching up but carving out their own more emotionally charged and discreetly managed territory of infidelity.
Sources & References
- Reference 1IFSTUDIESifstudies.orgVisit source
- Reference 2TODAYtoday.yougov.comVisit source
- Reference 3TANDFONLINEtandfonline.comVisit source
- Reference 4SUPERDRUGsuperdrug.comVisit source
- Reference 5GSSgss.norc.orgVisit source
- Reference 6PSYCHOLOGYTODAYpsychologytoday.comVisit source
- Reference 7JOURNALSjournals.sagepub.comVisit source
- Reference 8VICEvice.comVisit source
- Reference 9MATCHmatch.comVisit source
- Reference 10TIDSSKRIFTETtidsskriftet.noVisit source
- Reference 11KINSEYINSTITUTEkinseyinstitute.orgVisit source
- Reference 12LINKlink.springer.comVisit source
- Reference 13NATSALnatsal.ac.ukVisit source
- Reference 14PRESSpress.uchicago.eduVisit source
- Reference 15SCIENCEDIRECTsciencedirect.comVisit source
- Reference 16MELBOURNEINSTITUTEmelbourneinstitute.unimelb.edu.auVisit source
- Reference 17DESTATISdestatis.deVisit source
- Reference 18IFOPifop.comVisit source
- Reference 19ISTATistat.itVisit source
- Reference 20PUBMEDpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govVisit source
- Reference 21SCIELOscielo.brVisit source
- Reference 22KOSTATkostat.go.krVisit source
- Reference 23TIMESOFINDIAtimesofindia.indiatimes.comVisit source
- Reference 24INPRFinprf.gob.mxVisit source
- Reference 25STATCANstatcan.gc.caVisit source
- Reference 26FOLKHALSOMYNDIGHETENfolkhalsomyndigheten.seVisit source
- Reference 27CBScbs.nlVisit source
- Reference 28STATBELstatbel.fgov.beVisit source
- Reference 29BFSbfs.admin.chVisit source
- Reference 30NEWSnews.gallup.comVisit source
- Reference 31YOUGOVyougov.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 32GLEEDENgleeden.comVisit source
- Reference 33DR-EDdr-ed.comVisit source
- Reference 34ONLINELIBRARYonlinelibrary.wiley.comVisit source
- Reference 35ELITESINGLESelitesingles.comVisit source
- Reference 36NCBIncbi.nlm.nih.govVisit source
- Reference 37LEVADAlevada.ruVisit source
- Reference 38BUSTLEbustle.comVisit source
- Reference 39THLthl.fiVisit source
- Reference 40AIFSaifs.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 41STATSstats.govt.nzVisit source
- Reference 42TAUBCENTERtaubcenter.org.ilVisit source
- Reference 43KATHIMERINIkathimerini.grVisit source
- Reference 44ENSPensp.unl.ptVisit source
- Reference 45INDECindec.gob.arVisit source
- Reference 46INEine.clVisit source
- Reference 47DANEdane.gov.coVisit source
- Reference 48INEIinei.gob.peVisit source
- Reference 49INECinec.gob.veVisit source
- Reference 50ECUADORENCIFRASecuadorencifras.gob.ecVisit source
- Reference 51INEine.gub.uyVisit source
- Reference 52DGEECdgeec.gov.pyVisit source
- Reference 53INEine.gob.boVisit source
- Reference 54CIScis.esVisit source
- Reference 55UCDucd.ieVisit source
- Reference 56GOVgov.scotVisit source
- Reference 57GOVgov.walesVisit source
- Reference 58NISRAnisra.gov.ukVisit source
- Reference 59PSYCNETpsycnet.apa.orgVisit source
- Reference 60PEWRESEARCHpewresearch.orgVisit source
- Reference 61EUROPEANSOCIALSURVEYeuropeansocialsurvey.orgVisit source
- Reference 62WORLDVALUESSURVEYworldvaluessurvey.orgVisit source
- Reference 63CDCcdc.govVisit source
- Reference 64PAIRFAMpairfam.deVisit source
- Reference 65STATCANwww150.statcan.gc.caVisit source
- Reference 66KIki.seVisit source
- Reference 67HEALTHhealth.belgium.beVisit source
- Reference 68FORSCENTERforscenter.chVisit source
- Reference 69INEDined.frVisit source
- Reference 70INEine.esVisit source
- Reference 71ICSics.ulisboa.ptVisit source
- Reference 72STATISTICSstatistics.grVisit source
- Reference 73STATstat.gov.plVisit source
- Reference 74CZSOczso.czVisit source
- Reference 75KSHksh.huVisit source
- Reference 76INSSEinsse.roVisit source
- Reference 77NSInsi.bgVisit source
- Reference 78DZSdzs.hrVisit source
- Reference 79STATstat.siVisit source
- Reference 80SAMsam.lrv.ltVisit source
- Reference 81CSPcsp.gov.lvVisit source
- Reference 82STATstat.eeVisit source
- Reference 83ASHLEYMADISONashleymadison.comVisit source
- Reference 84FORBESforbes.comVisit source
- Reference 85TRIPADVISORtripadvisor.comVisit source
- Reference 86MENSHEALTHmenshealth.comVisit source
- Reference 87GAMESINDUSTRYgamesindustry.bizVisit source
- Reference 88FESTIVALINSIGHTSfestivalinsights.comVisit source
- Reference 89THEKNOTtheknot.comVisit source
- Reference 90HBRhbr.orgVisit source
- Reference 91VAva.govVisit source
- Reference 92SALESFORCEsalesforce.comVisit source
- Reference 93TECHCRUNCHtechcrunch.comVisit source
- Reference 94FTft.comVisit source
- Reference 95VARIETYvariety.comVisit source
- Reference 96ESPNespn.comVisit source
- Reference 97CORPORATEcorporate.gleeden.comVisit source
- Reference 98BUMBLEbumble.comVisit source
- Reference 99ELITESINGLESelitesingles.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 100TINDERPRESSROOMtinderpressroom.comVisit source
- Reference 101SOCIALMEDIAEXAMINERsocialmediaexaminer.comVisit source
- Reference 102GOODREADSgoodreads.comVisit source
- Reference 103YOGAJOURNALyogajournal.comVisit source
- Reference 104WINEENTHUSIASTwineenthusiast.comVisit source
- Reference 105VOLUNTEERHUBvolunteerhub.comVisit source
- Reference 106PARENTSparents.comVisit source
- Reference 107NURSINGWORLDnursingworld.orgVisit source
- Reference 108EDWEEKedweek.orgVisit source
- Reference 109SHRMshrm.orgVisit source
- Reference 110ADWEEKadweek.comVisit source
- Reference 111NONPROFITQUARTERLYnonprofitquarterly.orgVisit source
- Reference 112INSIDEHIGHEREDinsidehighered.comVisit source
- Reference 113VOGUEvogue.comVisit source
- Reference 114ALLUREallure.comVisit source
- Reference 115AARPaarp.orgVisit source