Alongside the Body+Soul 2024 Sex Census’ delightfully surprising sex revelations, some harsh truths about our population’s bedroom habits have also come to light. The most jarring? One in five Australians admit to cheating on a partner, with five per cent of the survey’s respondents revealing they’re currently being unfaithful.

It goes without saying, that the sample of respondents willing to divulge their dirty little secrets simply isn’t an accurate reflection of the entire Aussie population. While 20 per cent of survey respondents admitted to betraying their other half at some point, we’re guessing the true statistic is much higher, given over 40 per cent of Aussies revealed they have been cheated on. 

But which generations are more likely to have a wandering eye? The latest data might surprise you.

Which generation cheats the most?

According to results of the Body+Soul 2024 Sex Census, nearly 1 in 4 (22 per cent) of millennials have been unfaithful to a partner, making them the most disloyal generation to date. 

On the contrary, Gen Z has been named the most faithful generation of the bunch, with only 16 per cent of the group having cheated before. 

Of course, each generation’s definition of cheating and infidelity slightly varies due to changing cultural and social influences, with older generations (Boomers and Silent Generation) sharing they’re less likely to consider acts such as flirting, checking someone out and a single kiss as cheating.

Who are Aussies cheating with and where?

Thanks to the stereotypes dragged across TV – such as the cheating husband fooling around with his secretary – most of us have been brought up with one image of infidelity in mind. But with whom and where are Aussies actually sneaking around with?

According to the stats, 29 per cent of cheaters confessed to committing their betrayal with a stranger, 24 per cent with an acquaintance, and 23 per cent with a work colleague. 15 per cent of cheaters admit to hooking up with an ex (everyone’s worst fear imagined), with 8 per cent saying they’ve hooked up with a partner’s friend. Among the 23 per cent of cheaters who have got it on with a colleague at work, 7 per cent admit to a dalliance with their boss. 

As for where Aussies are committing infidelity, a third of cheaters say their affairs happen at the other person’s home, and 22 per cent at their own home. Perhaps as a consequence of the rising cost of living, it seems fewer affairs are occurring at hotels and motels (only 14 per cent). 

12 per cent of unfaithful Aussies carry out their indiscretions in a nightclub or bar, 11 per cent in a car, and 8 per cent in a park. A fraction of cheaters also admit to getting up to no good while on holiday (6 per cent) and on a work trip (4 per cent). 

How are cheaters getting busted?

According to the survey, the majority of cheaters (41 per cent) admit to confessing their betrayal to their partners themselves, proving the power of a guilty conscience remains unmatched. 

18 per cent of Aussies who admit to having cheated say their partner found out from someone else (with 6 per cent being busted by the person they cheated with), and 17 per cent reveal their partner found incriminating evidence while searching their phone. 

Only 4 per cent of guilty respondents admit to being caught doing the dirty deed by their partner.

A silver lining in the stats

While the substantial stats surrounding our cheating habits as a nation are difficult to ignore, it’s not all doom and gloom for couples out there. Contrary to popular belief, the most common person people in relationships fantasise about having sex with is their current partner. 34 per cent of Aussies reveal they fantasise most commonly about their partner, compared to a celebrity (14 per cent). 

Fantasises about friends only occur for 13 per cent of respondents, with only 9 per cent of Aussies fantasising about an ex or a work colleague. So chances are, not only is your partner probably not fooling around with their barista, but they’re likely not even thinking about it!