Almost 1 in 3 Belgians has had an open relationship

Monogamy is the norm in Belgium, but around half of Belgians have experience with “non-monogamous activities”, according to a large-scale study by the University of Antwerp and the Duffel Psychiatric Centre. Almost 1 in 3 Belgians has had an open relationship at some point.

The study, in which nearly 2,700 Belgians were surveyed, shows that two in three consider themselves monogamous. However, this is at odds with the answers many respondents gave to questions about specific experiences.

29 per cent of the Belgians said they had ever been in an open relationship, in which intimacy or sexuality outside the primary relationship was experienced with the consent of their partner. 32 per cent had ever had a secret relationship, affair or fling. In total, about half reported having had experience with non-monogamy.

According to the researchers, young adults - aged 18 to 25 - in particular had recent experience with open relationships or polyamory. 20 per cent said they had had a non-monogamous experience with their partner's consent in the past year, compared to 5 per cent of those aged 60 and over. Older generations – aged 40 to 59 – reported more often that they have been non-monogamous at some point, but they also more often did so secretly.

"Belgians are more open to exploring alternative forms of relationships"

“The results show that non-monogamous practices are relatively common, more so than is generally assumed,” stated professor Manuel Morrens of UAntwerp/UPC Duffel. "They may reflect increasing diversity in relationship structures and the fact that Belgians are more open to exploring alternative forms of relationships. Monogamy as the norm can be questioned, because non-monogamous activities appear to be very mainstream."

According to the researchers, the figures are roughly the same for men and women, although the reported frequency of non-monogamous activities is higher among men. Non-heterosexual respondents were found to be involved in non-monogamous relationships twice as often on average.

^{Illustration © PHOTO RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP}