Do Men or Women Cheat More? The Truth Revealed

Think cheating is mostly a man’s game? Not so fast.

While older studies showed about 20–25% of married men and 10–15% of married women were unfaithful, newer research tells a different story. The gap is closing, and female infidelity has jumped nearly 40% since the 1990s.

So, who really cheats more – men or women? And why is the difference shrinking?

We’re going to break down the numbers, look at what drives people to step outside their relationship, and explore how cultural shifts have changed the story.

I’ll also share how tools like the Moniterro app can help you move past suspicion and find clarity when trust feels shaky.

By the end, you won’t just have an opinion – you’ll have the facts to back it up.

The Numbers: What Research Says

When you start asking yourself which gender cheats more, the answer is clearer than rumors might make it seem.

The General Social Survey shows that about 20% of married men admit to cheating, compared to 13% of married women. Men still lead the numbers, but here’s the twist – the gap is closing. A 2024 study found women’s infidelity rates have risen by nearly 40% in recent decades.

Age plays a role too. Among millennials, the difference is smaller – 16% of men versus 13% of women admit to cheating. For men, rates peak in their 60s at around 26%. For women, the highest numbers show up in their 50s, at about 17%.

Here’s a quick snapshot:

• Married men: ~20%
• Married women: ~13%
• Millennials: 16% men, 13% women
• Peaks: men in 60s, women in 50s
  

So, who cheats more? Men still edge ahead – but women are catching up, especially in younger generations. The numbers tell a story that’s slowly changing.

Historical Trends In Cheating

Ever wondered how which gender cheats more has changed over the years? The answer might surprise you.

Back in the 1950s, reports like the famous Kinsey studies suggested about half of men admitted to cheating at least once, compared to roughly a quarter of women. That was a huge gap.

By the 1990s, the numbers had dropped for both – around 20–25% of men and 10–15% of women. But something started shifting. Women’s reported infidelity began to climb. By 2010, wives were nearly 40% more likely to cheat than they were in 1990, while men’s rates stayed about the same.

Why the change? Social and cultural shifts. Women gained more independence, had more opportunities, and marriage roles evolved.

Today, the gap is much smaller than it once was. What used to be a clear difference is now almost level. Surprised?

Reasons Men Cheat

Talking about why men cheat can feel uncomfortable, but understanding the reasons can help you make sense of what’s happening in a relationship.

Often, it comes down to a mix of physical, emotional, and social factors.

• Physical Desire and Opportunity
  Some men admit they wanted more sexual connection or variety. If the opportunity appeared – on a work trip, at a social event – they took it.
• Emotional Neglect
  It’s not always just about sex. Many men say they felt unseen or unappreciated at home and looked elsewhere for validation.
• Need for Novelty
  For some, the thrill of something new feels irresistible. They chase excitement to feel alive again.
• Peer Influence and Social Pressure
  Friends or cultural norms sometimes make cheating seem acceptable, even like a badge of honor.
  

Ask yourself – do any of these patterns sound familiar? Have you noticed emotional distance or changes in behavior?

Recognizing these reasons doesn’t excuse the betrayal. It gives you a clearer view of the situation so you can decide what’s right for you moving forward.

Reasons Women Cheat

When you ask why women cheat, the answer often runs deeper than a fleeting attraction or an impulsive decision. More often, it ties back to emotional needs that feel unmet.

One big reason is emotional dissatisfaction. When a woman feels unseen, unheard, or unsupported, the bond at home can weaken. She may seek that emotional closeness somewhere else.

Another is lack of intimacy. This isn’t only about sex – it’s about feeling connected. Without affection, shared moments, or physical touch, the relationship can start to feel hollow. That emptiness can push someone to look for connection outside.

For many women, it’s also about emotional connection over purely physical desire. They may long for someone to truly listen, understand, and value them.

So, ask yourself – has the emotional or physical closeness between you changed? Are important needs going unmet?

These questions don’t excuse betrayal. They help you understand the “why” behind it, so you can decide what to do next – with clarity and compassion.

Opportunity And Technology

When you ask yourself do men or women cheat more, it’s not just about who has the stronger desire. It’s also about who gets the chance – and today, technology gives plenty of it.

Think about it. Social media, dating apps, and messaging platforms make it easy to connect with almost anyone. An old flame is just a search away. A quick “hey” can turn into something more before you even realize it.

Online spaces also make emotional affairs easier. A flirty chat, late-night texts, or sharing personal feelings with someone outside the relationship can cross a line. Sometimes it’s not even physical – it’s the secret connection that hurts.

Technology also gives cover. A “work call” could be a private video chat. A “funny meme” exchange could hide a deeper bond. The lines blur quickly.

So, what can you do?

• Notice if certain apps suddenly become off-limits to you.
• Watch for shifts in online habits or late-night activity.
• If something feels off, talk about it before suspicion takes root.
  

Trust is still built face-to-face. If the digital world starts replacing that, it’s worth asking why.

Using Technology to Find Answers – How the Moniterro App Fits In

When you start asking yourself who cheats more, men or women, guessing won’t give you peace of mind. If suspicion is keeping you up at night, you need facts – not a string of unanswered questions. That’s where Moniterro can help.

Moniterro lets you see what’s really going on without relying on assumptions.

• Real-Time GPS Tracking – Know exactly where they are and where they’ve been.
• Message & Call Logs – View texts, calls, and chats from apps like WhatsApp, Snapchat, and Instagram.
• Social Media Activity – Spot unusual online behavior without digging aimlessly.
  

It’s not about spying – it’s about getting the full picture. Patterns often reveal more than one isolated moment.

Here’s how to use it wisely:

1. Talk about using it and, if possible, agree to make it mutual.
2. Set it up and review information with a calm mindset.
3. Look for ongoing patterns rather than reacting to one incident.
   

When trust feels uncertain, Moniterro can replace guesswork with clarity – so you can decide your next step with confidence.

Emotional Impact: Does Gender Matter?

When it comes to cheating, men and women often feel the pain in different ways. Sure, heartbreak is heartbreak – but the way it cuts can depend on what happened.

Many men say sexual infidelity hits the hardest. The thought of their partner being physically intimate with someone else can feel like a deep betrayal.

For many women, it’s the emotional affairs that sting most. When a partner shares their deepest thoughts, feelings, and secrets with someone else, it can feel like the trust and connection they built has been stolen.

Why the difference? Part of it comes from how we’re wired, but culture and upbringing play a big role too.

Ask yourself – what would hurt you more? A physical act, or an emotional connection? Your answer might reveal what you value most in your relationship.

Conclusion 

Cheating isn’t just about numbers – it’s about trust, connection, and the choices people make. We’ve looked at the facts, and while men still lead slightly, the gap is closing fast. So, who cheat more men or woman? The answer isn’t as clear-cut as it used to be.

The reasons run deep. For some men, it’s about opportunity, physical desire, or feeling neglected. For some women, it’s about unmet emotional needs, lack of intimacy, or feeling invisible in the relationship. And yes, technology has made it easier for both to cross lines they once wouldn’t.

So, where does that leave you? If doubt is hanging over your relationship, focus on patterns, not just isolated moments. Tools like Moniterro can help you see the truth.

Your next step should be based on clarity, not guesswork. What do you really want to know?