Cheating & Infidelity Statistics
Research findings about cheating & infidelity, with linked sources and study limits. Historical figures describe their stated populations, not your relationship's future.
Key Findings
20%
Wendy Wang's GSS analysis, published in 2018, reported that 20% of ever-married men said they had sex outside marriage. This is a historical self-report analysis, not a current prevalence estimate.
13%
Wendy Wang's GSS analysis, published in 2018, reported that 13% of ever-married women said they had sex outside marriage. This is a historical self-report analysis, not a current prevalence estimate.
3× odds
Knopp and colleagues' 2017 study followed 484 adults across two mixed-gender relationships. Prior self-reported sexual infidelity was associated with about threefold odds of reporting it in the next relationship. This is an association, not inevitability.
2× odds
In Knopp and colleagues' 2017 study of 484 adults, known prior partner sexual infidelity was associated with about twice the odds of reporting it from a subsequent partner. This does not assign responsibility for a partner's behavior.
Data Visualization
Interactive research-backed charts
Ever-married adults reporting sex outside marriage
Source: Wendy Wang's GSS analysis, published 2018; historical self-reports, exact survey waves unspecified.
| Men | 20 |
|---|---|
| Women | 13 |
How Common Is Cheating?
20%
Wendy Wang's GSS analysis, published in 2018, reported that 20% of ever-married men said they had sex outside marriage. This is a historical self-report analysis, not a current prevalence estimate.
ifstudies.org
13%
Wendy Wang's GSS analysis, published in 2018, reported that 13% of ever-married women said they had sex outside marriage. This is a historical self-report analysis, not a current prevalence estimate.
ifstudies.org
Do Cheaters Cheat Again?
3× odds
Knopp and colleagues' 2017 study followed 484 adults across two mixed-gender relationships. Prior self-reported sexual infidelity was associated with about threefold odds of reporting it in the next relationship. This is an association, not inevitability.
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
2× odds
In Knopp and colleagues' 2017 study of 484 adults, known prior partner sexual infidelity was associated with about twice the odds of reporting it from a subsequent partner. This does not assign responsibility for a partner's behavior.
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Surviving Infidelity
40%
Wendy Wang's 2018 GSS analysis reported that 40% of ever-married respondents who acknowledged extramarital sex were divorced or separated at the time. This cross-sectional finding does not predict future divorce after an affair.
ifstudies.org
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do these findings predict my relationship?
No. Survey figures describe their stated populations and periods. An association does not establish cause or an outcome for an individual couple.
How can I check a finding?
Follow the source link and check the population, measure, data period and study design. Company claims and practice recommendations are labeled separately from measured research findings.
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