Same-sex marriage

Same-sex marriage is legal in only 39 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

39
Legal
39 regions (20%)
Legal
71
Somewhere in between
71 regions (36%)
Somewhere in between
86
Illegal
86 regions (43%)
Illegal
2
Varied, unclear, or unknown laws
2 regions (1%)
Varied, unclear, or unknown laws
Europe
44%
LEGAL EQUALITY
Legal
22 regions (44%)
Somewhere in between
17 regions (34%)
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
9 regions (39%)
Varied, unclear, or unknown laws
regions (0%)
Africa
2%
LEGAL EQUALITY
Legal
1 regions (2%)
Somewhere in between
20 regions (37%)
Illegal
33 regions (61%)
Varied, unclear, or unknown laws
regions (0%)
Asia
5%
LEGAL EQUALITY
Legal
2 regions (5%)
Somewhere in between
18 regions (41%)
Illegal
22 regions (50%)
Varied, unclear, or unknown laws
2 regions (5%)

Timeline of same-sex marriage

Number of countries to legalize same-sex marriage over the past 25 years.

Recent Changes

2025

2024

2023

Same-sex marriage by Country

Legal

Same-sex marriage is legal in 39 regions.

  1. Asia (2)
  2. Taiwan 2019
  3. Thailand 2025
  4. Europe (22)
  5. Andorra 2023
  6. Austria 2019
  7. Belgium 2003
  8. Denmark 2012
  9. Estonia 2024
  10. Finland 2017
  11. France 2013
  12. Germany 2017
  13. Greece 2024
  14. Iceland 2010
  15. Ireland 2015
  16. Liechtenstein 2025
  17. Luxembourg 2015
  18. Malta 2017
  19. Netherlands 2001
  20. Norway 2009
  21. Portugal 2010
  22. Slovenia 2022
  23. Spain 2005
  24. Sweden 2009
  25. Switzerland 2022
  26. United Kingdom 2020
  27. North America (5)
  28. Canada 2005
  29. Costa Rica 2020
  30. Cuba 2022
  31. Mexico 2022
  32. United States 2015
  33. Africa (1)
  34. South Africa 2006
  35. Oceania (2)
  36. Australia 2017
  37. New Zealand 2013
  38. South America (6)
  39. Argentina 2010
  40. Brazil 2013
  41. Chile 2022
  42. Colombia 2016
  43. Ecuador 2019
  44. Uruguay 2013
  45. Antarctica (1)
  46. Antarctica 2016

Civil unions (marriage rights)

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

  1. Asia (1)
  2. Israel 1994
  3. Europe (5)
  4. Croatia 2014
  5. Cyprus 2015
  6. Czech Republic 2025
  7. Italy 2016
  8. San Marino 2018
  9. South America (1)
  10. Bolivia 2020

Civil unions (limited rights)

Same-sex marriage is civil unions (limited rights) in 4 regions.

  1. Europe (4)
  2. Hungary 2009
  3. Latvia 2024
  4. Monaco 2020
  5. Montenegro 2021

Other type of partnership

Same-sex marriage is other type of partnership in 1 regions.

  1. Asia (1)
  2. China 2017

Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only

Same-sex marriage is foreign same-sex marriages recognized only in 4 regions.

  1. Asia (1)
  2. South Korea 2019
  3. North America (2)
  4. Saint Kitts and Nevis
  5. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  6. Africa (1)
  7. Namibia 2023

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. Sri Lanka
  13. Timor-Leste
  14. Turkmenistan 1992
  15. Vietnam 2015
  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. Antigua and Barbuda
  25. Barbados
  26. Belize 2003
  27. Dominica
  28. Grenada
  29. Saint Lucia
  30. Trinidad and Tobago 1924
  31. Africa (19)
  32. Angola 2019
  33. Benin 1900
  34. Botswana 1964
  35. Comoros
  36. Côte d’Ivoire
  37. Djibouti
  38. Equatorial Guinea
  39. Eritrea 1957
  40. Eswatini
  41. Guinea-Bissau 1993
  42. Lesotho 1966
  43. Mauritius
  44. Morocco
  45. Mozambique 2004
  46. Niger
  47. Republic of the Congo
  48. Sao Tome and Principe
  49. Seychelles
  50. Tunisia
  51. Oceania (5)
  52. Federated States of Micronesia
  53. Kiribati
  54. Papua New Guinea
  55. Samoa
  56. Vanuatu
  57. South America (1)
  58. Suriname

Banned

Same-sex marriage is banned in 86 regions.

  1. Asia (22)
  2. Afghanistan 1971
  3. Bahrain
  4. Bangladesh 1860
  5. Brunei 1951
  6. Indonesia
  7. Iran 1979
  8. Japan
  9. Kyrgyzstan 1996
  10. Malaysia 1826
  11. Maldives
  12. Mongolia 1992
  13. Oman
  14. Pakistan 1958
  15. Philippines 1988
  16. Qatar 1915
  17. Saudi Arabia 1932
  18. Singapore 2022
  19. Syria 1949
  20. Tajikistan 2008
  21. United Arab Emirates 1987
  22. Uzbekistan 1994
  23. Yemen 1994
  24. Europe (11)
  25. Armenia 2004
  26. Belarus 1996
  27. Bulgaria 1991
  28. Georgia
  29. Lithuania 1992
  30. Moldova 1994
  31. Romania 2009
  32. Russia 2020
  33. Serbia 2006
  34. Ukraine 1996
  35. Vatican City 1929
  36. North America (9)
  37. Bahamas
  38. Dominican Republic 2010
  39. El Salvador
  40. Guatemala 1963
  41. Haiti
  42. Honduras 2005
  43. Jamaica 2011
  44. Nicaragua 1987
  45. Panama 1994
  46. Africa (33)
  47. Algeria 1966
  48. Burkina Faso 1991
  49. Burundi 2005
  50. Cameroon 1967
  51. Cape Verde 1968
  52. Central African Republic 2016
  53. Chad
  54. Democratic Republic of the Congo 2006
  55. Egypt
  56. Ethiopia 2009
  57. Gabon 2024
  58. Gambia 2005
  59. Ghana 1960
  60. Guinea 1988
  61. Kenya 2010
  62. Liberia 1976
  63. Libya 1953
  64. Madagascar 2007
  65. Malawi
  66. Mali 2023
  67. Mauritania 1983
  68. Nigeria 2014
  69. Rwanda 2003
  70. Senegal 1989
  71. Sierra Leone 1861
  72. Somalia 1975
  73. South Sudan 2011
  74. Sudan 1991
  75. Tanzania 1971
  76. Togo 1980
  77. Uganda 2023
  78. Zambia 2010
  79. Zimbabwe 2013
  80. Oceania (7)
  81. Fiji 2002
  82. Marshall Islands 1988
  83. Nauru 2018
  84. Palau 2008
  85. Solomon Islands 1978
  86. Tonga 1998
  87. Tuvalu 2023
  88. South America (4)
  89. Guyana
  90. Paraguay 1992
  91. Peru
  92. Venezuela 1999

Varied, unclear, or unknown laws

Data on same-sex marriage is unclear, not applicable, or missing in 2 regions.

  1. Asia (2)
  2. Cambodia Varies by Region
  3. Nepal Ambiguous

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