Cheating on a spouse is widely considered immoral in many cultures, but in some countries, it’s not just a violation of trust it’s a criminal act.
Countries that follow strict religious or cultural practices may impose harsh penalties on individuals found guilty of adultery.
The penalties range from fines and imprisonment to stoning and even death. Below are 15 countries where adultery is treated as a criminal offense.
1. Philippines
In the Philippines, adultery is a criminal offense punishable by imprisonment. Both men and women can be prosecuted, but the law is often criticized for being gender-biased.
Women face jail time if caught cheating, while men are only punished under “scandalous circumstances.”
This inequality in the legal framework highlights the challenge in applying laws fairly in the country.
Interestingly, Philippine law also penalizes individuals who have affairs with married people, even if the person committing the infidelity is not married.
2. Indonesia
Indonesia doesn’t have a written law specifically outlawing adultery, but the country predominantly follows Sharia law in many regions, particularly in Aceh province, where adultery is a crime.
Offenders can face extreme punishments, including flogging or stoning. The penalties for adultery in Indonesia are not uniformly enforced across the country; however, when they are, the consequences can be severe.
In some parts of the country, individuals convicted of infidelity may face up to 100 lashes, while in others, more severe penalties like stoning may apply.
3. Taiwan
Taiwan was one of the last liberal democracies to criminalize adultery. The country’s law was repealed in 2020, following a ruling that it was unconstitutional.
Despite this, the law was still in force until recently, and over 1,000 people were convicted between 2016 and 2019. Those found guilty typically faced prison sentences of up to four months.
Public opinion on this issue was divided, with many Taiwanese citizens expressing support for keeping the adultery law. The decriminalization marked a significant shift in how adultery is handled in Taiwan.
4. Brunei
Brunei shocked the world in 2019 when it passed a law making adultery a capital crime, punishable by stoning to death.
The introduction of this law was met with widespread international outrage. Following the backlash, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei made a public statement clarifying that while the law was technically still in place, it would not be enforced.
The law’s existence, however, underscores the country’s strict adherence to Sharia law and highlights the tension between international human rights concerns and local religious laws.
5. Nigeria
In Nigeria, some northern states enforce Sharia law, which criminalizes adultery. In these regions, the penalty for being caught committing adultery can be extremely harsh, including stoning to death.
Although the law is rarely enforced, there have been instances where individuals especially women were sentenced to death for adultery.
One such case in 2003 involved a woman who was sentenced to death by stoning after having a child more than nine months after her divorce.
The sentence was later overturned due to international pressure. Despite this, there remain significant concerns over the application of Sharia laws in Nigeria.
6. Afghanistan
Under Taliban rule, adultery is a punishable offense under strict interpretations of Sharia law. The penalties for infidelity are severe and include stoning to death, especially for women.
In 2024, the Taliban reaffirmed their commitment to enforcing Sharia law, stating that they would publicly stone or flog those convicted of adultery.
The Taliban’s harsh stance on adultery has sparked widespread criticism from human rights organizations, with many calling the practices a violation of basic women’s rights.
7. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s legal system is heavily influenced by Sharia law, which criminalizes adultery.
In the past, individuals found guilty of infidelity have faced harsh punishments, including flogging and stoning.
In one infamous case in 2015, a woman was sentenced to death by stoning for committing adultery, while her male partner was given a relatively lenient punishment of 100 lashes.
These extreme punishments highlight the country’s strict approach to matters of morality and marital fidelity.
8. Pakistan
In Pakistan, adultery is considered a criminal offense under the Hudood Ordinances, which were passed in 1979 to bring Pakistan’s legal system in line with Islamic law.
However, the country has never carried out the death penalty for adultery, and punishments typically involve long prison sentences.
In 2006, Pakistan passed the Protection of Women Act, which significantly hindered the enforcement of adultery laws, especially for women.
This law led to the release of over 1,000 women who had been charged with adultery under previous legislation.
9. Sudan
Sudan’s criminal code stipulates that adultery is punishable by death, often through stoning.
While the death penalty for adultery has not been regularly enforced in recent years, there have been notable cases in which individuals, particularly women, were sentenced to death for committing adultery.
In 2015, Sudan promised to remove death by stoning from the list of punishments for adultery, but human rights groups contend that the law is still in practice in certain regions.
10. Uganda
In Uganda, adultery was once criminalized, but the law has since been repealed. However, in some parts of the country, there is still evidence that adultery is treated as a crime.
In 2022, two people were arrested and interrogated by police for being suspected of having an affair.
While the officer in charge was later charged with misconduct, this incident shows that certain authorities in Uganda still view adultery as a criminal act, especially in rural areas.
11. Rwanda
In Rwanda, adultery is a criminal offense under the country’s penal code. Both the married individual who cheats and their lover can be prosecuted.
The punishment for adultery can include significant fines and up to a year in prison. If the offending couple is found living together, they can face up to two years in prison.
These laws reflect Rwanda’s effort to maintain social order, although they have sparked debates on personal freedoms and privacy.
12. Egypt
Egyptian law also criminalizes adultery, though with significant gender bias. Women convicted of cheating can face up to two years in prison, while men who cheat can be sentenced to no more than six months.
The law discriminates by gender women are automatically assumed to be guilty if they commit adultery, while men are only considered guilty if the affair takes place within their marital home. The inequity of this law has been widely criticized.
13. The Maldives
In the Maldives, adultery is punished under Sharia law, and the penalties can be severe. Convicted adulterers can face flogging or stoning to death.
Although public outcry has reversed some sentences, there is evidence that women, in particular, have been sentenced to death by stoning for adultery.
The Maldives’ stance on adultery highlights the tension between its tourism-driven economy and its strict interpretation of Islamic law.
14. Bangladesh
Bangladesh has specific laws addressing adultery. Men who cheat with another man’s wife can face up to five years in prison.
However, unlike many countries with adultery laws, Bangladesh’s Penal Code does not punish the woman involved in the affair.
It explicitly states that “the wife shall not be punished as an abettor,” which is a unique aspect of the country’s legal system compared to other nations with similar laws.
15. United States
While adultery is not a federal crime in the United States, certain states still consider it a criminal offense.
Currently, 16 states have laws on the books that criminalize adultery, with penalties ranging from misdemeanors to felonies.
In some states, individuals convicted of infidelity may face hefty fines or even imprisonment.
Despite these laws, they are rarely enforced, and the penalties are often symbolic rather than practical.
Nonetheless, the existence of such laws in certain states is a reflection of America’s complex relationship with marital fidelity.
Alicia Richards