What country has the least cheaters?

Iceland Holds the Title for Most Faithful Relationships

When it comes to relationship fidelity, Iceland stands out from the rest of the world. According to a survey from December 2020, only 9% of Icelandic respondents admitted to having cheated on a partner—making it the country with the lowest rate of infidelity globally. This striking figure places Iceland at the top of the list for faithfulness, with Greenland following closely behind at 12%.

What sets Iceland apart might not just be cultural attitudes toward relationships, but also the country’s social dynamics. With a small, tightly knit population of around 370,000, personal reputations carry significant weight. In such a close community, word spreads quickly, and maintaining trust is often a priority. Additionally, Iceland consistently ranks high in gender equality, work-life balance, and overall happiness—factors that research often links to healthier, more stable relationships.

Interestingly, among those in Iceland who did admit to cheating, many confessed that their indiscretions involved former partners. This suggests that blurred lines between past and present relationships may play a role, rather than widespread serial infidelity.

Greenland’s low cheating rate also points to similar social patterns—remote communities where interpersonal trust is essential and privacy is limited. In both places, the social cost of betrayal may simply outweigh the temptation.

While no society is entirely free of infidelity, Iceland's combination of transparency, equality, and intimacy—both personal and societal—offers a compelling model. It reminds us that faithfulness isn’t just about individual choices, but also shaped by the world around us. In a landscape where everyone knows everyone, doing the right thing might just come more naturally.