PFor years the betrayal has been told as inevitable, almost physiological. The great cliché of love stories gone wrong, narrated in songs, films and art. In recent years it has been analyzed as an impulse, as a symptom of intolerance towards monogamy and closed relationships: understood, normalised, welcomed into the collective imagination. Yet something is changing. In Italy, at least, the desire for stable ties and exclusive relationships seems to be returning. After having held the European record for infidelity for years – with a peak of 45% in 2022 – today the trend is reversed. At least it seems from the data released byItalian Observatory on Infidelity 2025.
Italians no longer like infidelity
Photographing this change is theItalian Observatory on Infidelity 2025created by YouGov and promoted by Gleeden. On a sample of more 1,500 people between 18 and 65 years olda clear fact emerges: the infidelity rate dropped by 11% compared to 2022. A significant reversal for a country that has historically had little loyalty. The new sentimental “life goal” seems to be the stable relationshipno longer experienced as a renunciation, but as a equilibrium point in a social context perceived as increasingly unstable.
Gen Z surprises everyone
The real turning point comes from the younger ones. Six out of ten Italians indicate a stable relationship as the main goal of their love life, but among the boys of the Gen Z the percentage rises to 64%. In an era marked by economic, climate and identity crises, exclusive love becomes a form of emotional security. The 73% believe that exclusive love is still possible, almost half consider monogamy a natural condition and beyond80% believes it is realistic to be faithful to the same person for your entire life. Among the very young, this belief reaches88%.
Polyamory? No thank you
Although the public debate seems to be going in a completely different direction, Italians remain cautious towards unconventional relationships. Only one in three people finds it acceptable to date multiple partners at the same time, while only one in five consider a polyamorous relationship acceptable. However, a fundamental contradiction remains: almost half of the sample believes it is possible to cheat while being in love. A sign that loyalty, for many, is still an ideal rather than an absolute certainty.
The Italian relationship, are there any rules?
Establishing when an acquaintance becomes a relationship is not easy, but for Italians they still exist clear symbolic points. For the 28% three to five appointments are enough to move on to exclusivity; for the 19% five to ten are needed, especially among the younger ones. Sex also follows similar timing: for many, the first report marks the boundary between an indefinite story and a real relationship.
What is (really) betrayal
Once exclusivity is established, tolerance for infidelity drops dramatically. Only 14% considers it “understandable” in particular cases. The number of behaviors considered treasonous in all respects is also growing. Not only complete or casual sexual intercourse, but also kissing, sexting and explicit flirting today they are read as unequivocal signs of infidelity, much more than in the past. A return to clearer boundariesat least in terms of shared rules.
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