Same-sex marriage

Same-sex marriage is legal in only 37 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

37
Legal
37 regions (19%)
Legal
73
Somewhere in between
73 regions (37%)
Somewhere in between
82
Illegal
82 regions (42%)
Illegal
5
Varied, unclear, or unknown laws
5 regions (3%)
Varied, unclear, or unknown laws
Europe
42%
LEGAL EQUALITY
Legal
21 regions (42%)
Somewhere in between
18 regions (36%)
Illegal
11 regions (22%)
Varied, unclear, or unknown laws
regions (0%)
Oceania
14%
LEGAL EQUALITY
Legal
2 regions (14%)
Somewhere in between
5 regions (36%)
Illegal
7 regions (50%)
Varied, unclear, or unknown laws
regions (0%)
South America
50%
LEGAL EQUALITY
Legal
6 regions (50%)
Somewhere in between
2 regions (17%)
Illegal
4 regions (33%)
Varied, unclear, or unknown laws
regions (0%)
North America
22%
LEGAL EQUALITY
Legal
5 regions (22%)
Somewhere in between
9 regions (39%)
Illegal
8 regions (35%)
Varied, unclear, or unknown laws
1 regions (4%)
Africa
2%
LEGAL EQUALITY
Legal
1 regions (2%)
Somewhere in between
21 regions (40%)
Illegal
31 regions (59%)
Varied, unclear, or unknown laws
regions (0%)
Asia
2%
LEGAL EQUALITY
Legal
1 regions (2%)
Somewhere in between
18 regions (41%)
Illegal
21 regions (48%)
Varied, unclear, or unknown laws
4 regions (9%)

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 37 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
  43. Antarctica (1)
  44. Antarctica 2016

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 5 regions.

  1. Asia (1)
  2. China 2017
  3. Europe (4)
  4. Czech Republic 2006
  5. Latvia 2024
  6. Monaco 2020
  7. Montenegro 2021

Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only

Same-sex marriage is foreign same-sex marriages recognized only in 6 regions.

  1. Asia (2)
  2. Israel 2022
  3. South Korea 2019
  4. North America (2)
  5. Saint Kitts and Nevis
  6. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  7. Africa (1)
  8. Namibia 2023
  9. South America (1)
  10. Peru 2006

Unregistered cohabitation

Same-sex marriage is unregistered cohabitation in 3 regions.

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

Unrecognized

Same-sex marriage is unrecognized in 52 regions.

  1. Asia (14)
  2. Bhutan 2004
  3. Iraq 2003
  4. Jordan
  5. Kazakhstan 1991
  6. Kuwait
  7. Laos 1990
  8. Lebanon
  9. Myanmar 1886
  10. North Korea
  11. Palestine 1994
  12. Philippines 1988
  13. Timor-Leste
  14. Turkmenistan 1992
  15. Vietnam 2013
  16. Europe (6)
  17. Albania 1998
  18. Azerbaijan
  19. Bosnia and Herzegovina
  20. Kosovo 2006
  21. North Macedonia 1996
  22. Turkey
  23. North America (7)
  24. Barbados
  25. Belize 2003
  26. Dominica
  27. Grenada
  28. Guatemala 1995
  29. Saint Lucia
  30. Trinidad and Tobago 1924
  31. Africa (20)
  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. Morocco
  46. Mozambique 2004
  47. Niger
  48. Republic of the Congo
  49. Sao Tome and Principe
  50. Seychelles
  51. Tunisia
  52. Oceania (5)
  53. Federated States of Micronesia
  54. Kiribati
  55. Papua New Guinea
  56. Samoa
  57. Vanuatu

Banned

Same-sex marriage is banned in 82 regions.

  1. Asia (21)
  2. Afghanistan 1971
  3. Bahrain
  4. Bangladesh 1860
  5. Brunei 1951
  6. Indonesia
  7. Iran 1979
  8. Kyrgyzstan 1996
  9. Malaysia 1826
  10. Maldives
  11. Mongolia 1992
  12. Oman
  13. Pakistan 1958
  14. Qatar 1915
  15. Saudi Arabia 1932
  16. Singapore 2022
  17. Sri Lanka 1885
  18. Tajikistan 2008
  19. Thailand 1925
  20. United Arab Emirates 1987
  21. Uzbekistan 1994
  22. Yemen 1994
  23. Europe (11)
  24. Armenia 2004
  25. Belarus 1996
  26. Bulgaria 1991
  27. Georgia
  28. Lithuania 1992
  29. Moldova 1994
  30. Romania 2009
  31. Russia 2020
  32. Serbia 2006
  33. Ukraine 1996
  34. Vatican City 2020
  35. North America (8)
  36. Bahamas
  37. Dominican Republic 2010
  38. El Salvador
  39. Haiti
  40. Honduras 2005
  41. Jamaica 2011
  42. Nicaragua 1987
  43. Panama 1994
  44. Africa (31)
  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. Mauritania 1983
  64. Nigeria 2014
  65. Rwanda 2003
  66. Senegal 1989
  67. Sierra Leone 1861
  68. Somalia 1975
  69. South Sudan 2011
  70. Sudan 1991
  71. Tanzania 1971
  72. Togo 1980
  73. Uganda 2023
  74. Zambia 2010
  75. Zimbabwe 2013
  76. Oceania (7)
  77. Fiji 2002
  78. Marshall Islands 1988
  79. Nauru 2018
  80. Palau 2008
  81. Solomon Islands 1978
  82. Tonga 1998
  83. Tuvalu 2023
  84. South America (4)
  85. Guyana
  86. Paraguay 1991
  87. Suriname 2023
  88. Venezuela 1999

Varied, unclear, or unknown laws

Data on same-sex marriage is unclear, not applicable, or missing in 5 regions.

  1. Asia (4)
  2. Cambodia Varies by Region
  3. Japan Varies by Region
  4. Nepal Ambiguous
  5. Syria Ambiguous
  6. North America (1)
  7. Antigua and Barbuda

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