Same-sex marriage

Same-sex marriage is legal in only 36 countries.

DATE

Same-sex marriage

Same-sex marriage represents a critical milestone in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, allowing couples of the same sex to legally marry and receive the same marital benefits as heterosexual couples. The journey towards legalization has been varied across the globe, influenced by cultural, religious, and political factors. In some regions, the push for marriage equality has gained significant traction and achieved legal recognition, often after prolonged public and legal battles.

While full marriage equality is celebrated in many places, an alternative approach through civil unions or domestic partnerships persists in others. These frameworks typically grant a subset of rights that marriage offers, focusing on aspects like property rights or hospital visitation. However, they often fall short in areas such as inheritance, pension rights, and parental responsibilities, highlighting a gap in the legal recognition of relationships.

The acceptance and implementation of same-sex marriage have brought substantial legal benefits, including inheritance rights, tax reductions, and enhanced health insurance options, which are pivotal for the security and well-being of families. This progress often results from shifting public attitudes and the dedicated efforts of human rights advocates.

Summary

36
Legal
36 regions (18%)
Legal
77
Somewhere in between
77 regions (39%)
Somewhere in between
82
Illegal
82 regions (41%)
Illegal
3
No data, no laws, N/A, or ambiguous
3 regions (2%)
No data, no laws, N/A, or ambiguous
Europe
42%
LEGAL EQUALITY
Legal
21 regions (42%)
Somewhere in between
18 regions (36%)
Illegal
11 regions (22%)
No data, no laws, N/A, or ambiguous
regions (0%)
Oceania
14%
LEGAL EQUALITY
Legal
2 regions (14%)
Somewhere in between
7 regions (50%)
Illegal
5 regions (36%)
No data, no laws, N/A, or ambiguous
regions (0%)
South America
50%
LEGAL EQUALITY
Legal
6 regions (50%)
Somewhere in between
3 regions (25%)
Illegal
3 regions (25%)
No data, no laws, N/A, or ambiguous
regions (0%)
North America
22%
LEGAL EQUALITY
Legal
5 regions (22%)
Somewhere in between
13 regions (57%)
Illegal
5 regions (22%)
No data, no laws, N/A, or ambiguous
regions (0%)
Africa
2%
LEGAL EQUALITY
Legal
1 regions (2%)
Somewhere in between
19 regions (35%)
Illegal
34 regions (63%)
No data, no laws, N/A, or ambiguous
regions (0%)
Asia
2%
LEGAL EQUALITY
Legal
1 regions (2%)
Somewhere in between
17 regions (39%)
Illegal
24 regions (55%)
No data, no laws, N/A, or ambiguous
2 regions (5%)

Timeline of same-sex marriage

Number of countries to legalize same-sex marriage over the past 24 years.

Recent & Upcoming Changes

Upcoming Changes

2024

2023

2022

Same-sex marriage by Country

Legal

Same-sex marriage is legal in 36 regions.

  1. Asia (1)
  2. Taiwan 2019
  3. Europe (21)
  4. Andorra 2023
  5. Austria 2019
  6. Belgium 2003
  7. Denmark 2012
  8. Estonia 2024
  9. Finland 2017
  10. France 2013
  11. Germany 2017
  12. Greece 2024
  13. Iceland 2010
  14. Ireland 2015
  15. Luxembourg 2015
  16. Malta 2017
  17. Netherlands 2001
  18. Norway 2009
  19. Portugal 2010
  20. Slovenia 2022
  21. Spain 2005
  22. Sweden 2009
  23. Switzerland 2022
  24. United Kingdom 2020
  25. North America (5)
  26. Canada 2005
  27. Costa Rica 2020
  28. Cuba 2022
  29. Mexico 2022
  30. United States 2015
  31. Africa (1)
  32. South Africa 2006
  33. Oceania (2)
  34. Australia 2017
  35. New Zealand 2013
  36. South America (6)
  37. Argentina 2010
  38. Brazil 2013
  39. Chile 2022
  40. Colombia 2016
  41. Ecuador 2019
  42. Uruguay 2013

Civil unions (marriage rights)

Same-sex marriage is civil unions (marriage rights) in 7 regions.

  1. Europe (6)
  2. Croatia 2014
  3. Cyprus 2015
  4. Hungary 2009
  5. Italy 2016
  6. Liechtenstein 2011
  7. San Marino 2018
  8. South America (1)
  9. Bolivia 2020

Civil unions (limited rights)

Same-sex marriage is civil unions (limited rights) in 6 regions.

  1. Asia (2)
  2. China 2017
  3. Japan 2015
  4. Europe (4)
  5. Czech Republic 2006
  6. Latvia 2022
  7. Monaco 2020
  8. Montenegro 2021

Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only

Same-sex marriage is foreign same-sex marriages recognized only in 7 regions.

  1. Asia (1)
  2. Israel 2022
  3. North America (4)
  4. Antigua and Barbuda
  5. Barbados 2018
  6. Saint Kitts and Nevis
  7. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  8. Africa (1)
  9. Namibia 2023
  10. South America (1)
  11. Peru 2006

Unregistered cohabitation

Same-sex marriage is unregistered cohabitation in 4 regions.

  1. Asia (2)
  2. India 2023
  3. Thailand
  4. Europe (2)
  5. Poland 2012
  6. Slovakia 2018

Unrecognized

Same-sex marriage is unrecognized in 53 regions.

  1. Asia (12)
  2. Bhutan 2004
  3. Iraq 2003
  4. Jordan
  5. Kazakhstan
  6. Laos 1990
  7. Lebanon
  8. Myanmar 1886
  9. North Korea
  10. Palestine 1994
  11. Philippines 1988
  12. Timor-Leste
  13. Vietnam 2013
  14. Europe (6)
  15. Albania 2010
  16. Azerbaijan
  17. Bosnia and Herzegovina
  18. Kosovo 2006
  19. North Macedonia 1996
  20. Turkey
  21. North America (9)
  22. Belize 2003
  23. Dominica
  24. Dominican Republic 1944
  25. El Salvador
  26. Grenada
  27. Guatemala 1995
  28. Nicaragua 1987
  29. Saint Lucia
  30. Trinidad and Tobago 1924
  31. Africa (18)
  32. Angola 2019
  33. Benin 1900
  34. Botswana 1964
  35. Cape Verde
  36. Comoros
  37. Côte d’Ivoire
  38. Djibouti
  39. Equatorial Guinea
  40. Gabon 1963
  41. Guinea-Bissau 1993
  42. Lesotho 1966
  43. Madagascar
  44. Mauritius
  45. Mozambique 2004
  46. Niger
  47. Republic of the Congo
  48. Sao Tome and Principe
  49. Seychelles
  50. Oceania (7)
  51. Federated States of Micronesia
  52. Kiribati
  53. Marshall Islands
  54. Nauru
  55. Papua New Guinea
  56. Samoa
  57. Vanuatu
  58. South America (1)
  59. Suriname 2023

Banned

Same-sex marriage is banned in 82 regions.

  1. Asia (24)
  2. Afghanistan 1971
  3. Bahrain
  4. Bangladesh 1860
  5. Brunei 1951
  6. Indonesia
  7. Iran 1979
  8. Kuwait 1960
  9. Kyrgyzstan 1996
  10. Malaysia 1826
  11. Maldives
  12. Mongolia 1992
  13. Oman
  14. Pakistan 1958
  15. Qatar 1915
  16. Saudi Arabia 1932
  17. Singapore 2022
  18. South Korea 1948
  19. Sri Lanka 1885
  20. Syria 1949
  21. Tajikistan 2008
  22. Turkmenistan 1992
  23. United Arab Emirates 1987
  24. Uzbekistan 1994
  25. Yemen 1994
  26. Europe (11)
  27. Armenia 2004
  28. Belarus 1996
  29. Bulgaria 1991
  30. Georgia
  31. Lithuania 1992
  32. Moldova 1994
  33. Romania 2009
  34. Russia 2020
  35. Serbia 2006
  36. Ukraine 2022
  37. Vatican City 2020
  38. North America (5)
  39. Bahamas
  40. Haiti
  41. Honduras 2005
  42. Jamaica 2011
  43. Panama 1972
  44. Africa (34)
  45. Algeria 1966
  46. Burkina Faso 1991
  47. Burundi 2005
  48. Cameroon 1967
  49. Central African Republic 2016
  50. Chad 2017
  51. Democratic Republic of the Congo 2006
  52. Egypt
  53. Eritrea 1957
  54. Eswatini
  55. Ethiopia 2009
  56. Gambia 2005
  57. Ghana 1960
  58. Guinea 1988
  59. Kenya 2010
  60. Liberia 1976
  61. Libya 1953
  62. Malawi
  63. Mali 2023
  64. Mauritania 1983
  65. Morocco
  66. Nigeria 2014
  67. Rwanda 2003
  68. Senegal 1966
  69. Sierra Leone 1861
  70. Somalia
  71. South Sudan 2011
  72. Sudan 1991
  73. Tanzania 1971
  74. Togo 1980
  75. Tunisia
  76. Uganda 2023
  77. Zambia 2010
  78. Zimbabwe 2013
  79. Oceania (5)
  80. Fiji 2002
  81. Palau 2008
  82. Solomon Islands 1978
  83. Tonga 1998
  84. Tuvalu 2023
  85. South America (3)
  86. Guyana
  87. Paraguay 1991
  88. Venezuela 1999

No data, no laws, N/A, or ambiguous

Data on same-sex marriage is unclear, not applicable, or missing in 3 regions.

  1. Asia (2)
  2. Cambodia
  3. Nepal
  4. Antarctica (1)
  5. Antarctica

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