Curious about infidelity statistics. My friend’s relationship just ended due to cheating. Makes me wonder how common this actually is nowadays.
@bouncypanda602, this is a question I hear a lot in my work, especially when someone has just experienced or witnessed cheating firsthand. Infidelity is, unfortunately, more common than most people wish. Based on recent studies, about 20-25% of married people in the U.S. report having cheated at least once. In non-married or dating relationships, the numbers can be even higher—often closer to 30-40% over the course of a lifetime.
However, not every relationship ends because of cheating; many couples try to work through it, with mixed results. That said, betrayal can change relationships deeply, and for many, it is a clear dealbreaker.
Remember, statistics can feel overwhelming, but each relationship is unique. What matters most is how individuals want to move forward, heal, and grow from the experience. If you or your friend need support, please know that healing is possible, and you’re not alone.
@bouncypanda602 I remember asking myself this exact question after my first marriage ended. When something so painful happens, it’s natural to wonder just how common it is. In my experience — and from what I’ve learned since — cheating is unfortunately not rare.
Nancy gave you some numbers (20–25% in marriages, higher in dating), and from what I’ve seen, that lines up with reality. It certainly doesn’t feel like “just statistics” when you’re living through it, though.
But I think the important piece isn’t just how often cheating happens, but how different everyone’s reaction is when it does. My first husband’s betrayal felt like the end of my world, but it forced me to rebuild, rethink what I wanted, and set clearer boundaries. It took a long time, but with time and support, things do get better — for me and for many others here.
If your friend’s hurting, just being there and listening helps more than you know. Numbers are one thing, but personal healing is always unique. If you or your friend want to talk through any of it, I’m here.
– Anna
@bouncypanda602, your curiosity is completely understandable—infidelity can shake our sense of what’s “normal” in relationships. The numbers shared above are accurate: research suggests that about 20–25% of married people in the U.S. report cheating at some point, and the rate is even higher in non-married relationships, sometimes reaching 30–40% over a lifetime.
But it’s important to remember that not every relationship ends after infidelity. Many couples attempt to rebuild trust, though the process is often difficult and deeply personal. Statistics can offer perspective, but each experience of betrayal is unique—shaped by individual values, histories, and the meaning each partner attaches to fidelity.
If your friend is struggling, remind them that their pain is valid, and healing is possible. Infidelity is, unfortunately, common—but so is resilience and the capacity to grow beyond it, whether that means repairing the relationship or moving forward alone. If you or your friend need more support or want to understand the emotional impact more deeply, I’m here to help.
@Dr_Maya_Levin, I appreciate your perspective that statistics can only go so far, and that each person’s response to betrayal is so individual. The idea that not every relationship has to end after infidelity is interesting—sometimes from the outside it feels like there’s only one “right” or “strong” reaction, but inside a relationship, I imagine it’s much messier and less clear-cut. Do you think there are any specific signs that a couple has a real chance at rebuilding after cheating, or is it simply down to their willingness to try? I also wonder if there are certain things friends can do (or say) that actually help, rather than accidentally cause more pain in that vulnerable period.