Same-sex marriage

Same-sex marriage is legal in only 38 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

38
Legal
38 regions (19%)
Legal
70
Somewhere in between
70 regions (35%)
Somewhere in between
87
Illegal
87 regions (44%)
Illegal
3
Varied, unclear, or unknown laws
3 regions (2%)
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
8 regions (35%)
Varied, unclear, or unknown laws
1 regions (4%)
Africa
2%
LEGAL EQUALITY
Legal
1 regions (2%)
Somewhere in between
19 regions (35%)
Illegal
34 regions (63%)
Varied, unclear, or unknown laws
regions (0%)
Asia
2%
LEGAL EQUALITY
Legal
1 regions (2%)
Somewhere in between
18 regions (41%)
Illegal
23 regions (52%)
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 38 regions.

  1. Asia (1)
  2. Taiwan 2019
  3. Europe (22)
  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. Liechtenstein 2025
  16. Luxembourg 2015
  17. Malta 2017
  18. Netherlands 2001
  19. Norway 2009
  20. Portugal 2010
  21. Slovenia 2022
  22. Spain 2005
  23. Sweden 2009
  24. Switzerland 2022
  25. United Kingdom 2020
  26. North America (5)
  27. Canada 2005
  28. Costa Rica 2020
  29. Cuba 2022
  30. Mexico 2022
  31. United States 2015
  32. Africa (1)
  33. South Africa 2006
  34. Oceania (2)
  35. Australia 2017
  36. New Zealand 2013
  37. South America (6)
  38. Argentina 2010
  39. Brazil 2013
  40. Chile 2022
  41. Colombia 2016
  42. Ecuador 2019
  43. Uruguay 2013
  44. Antarctica (1)
  45. 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 5 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
  8. South America (1)
  9. 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 50 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 (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. Guinea-Bissau 1993
  41. Lesotho 1966
  42. Mauritius
  43. Morocco
  44. Mozambique 2004
  45. Niger
  46. Republic of the Congo
  47. Sao Tome and Principe
  48. Seychelles
  49. Tunisia
  50. Oceania (5)
  51. Federated States of Micronesia
  52. Kiribati
  53. Papua New Guinea
  54. Samoa
  55. Vanuatu

Banned

Same-sex marriage is banned in 87 regions.

  1. Asia (23)
  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. Qatar 1915
  16. Saudi Arabia 1932
  17. Singapore 2022
  18. Sri Lanka 1885
  19. Syria 1949
  20. Tajikistan 2008
  21. Thailand 1925
  22. United Arab Emirates 1987
  23. Uzbekistan 1994
  24. Yemen 1994
  25. Europe (11)
  26. Armenia 2004
  27. Belarus 1996
  28. Bulgaria 1991
  29. Georgia
  30. Lithuania 1992
  31. Moldova 1994
  32. Romania 2009
  33. Russia 2020
  34. Serbia 2006
  35. Ukraine 1996
  36. Vatican City 2020
  37. North America (8)
  38. Bahamas
  39. Dominican Republic 2010
  40. El Salvador
  41. Haiti
  42. Honduras 2005
  43. Jamaica 2011
  44. Nicaragua 1987
  45. Panama 1994
  46. Africa (34)
  47. Algeria 1966
  48. Burkina Faso 1991
  49. Burundi 2005
  50. Cameroon 1967
  51. Central African Republic 2016
  52. Chad 2017
  53. Democratic Republic of the Congo 2006
  54. Egypt
  55. Eritrea 1957
  56. Eswatini
  57. Ethiopia 2009
  58. Gabon 2024
  59. Gambia 2005
  60. Ghana 1960
  61. Guinea 1988
  62. Kenya 2010
  63. Liberia 1976
  64. Libya 1953
  65. Madagascar 2007
  66. Malawi
  67. Mali 2023
  68. Mauritania 1983
  69. Nigeria 2014
  70. Rwanda 2003
  71. Senegal 1989
  72. Sierra Leone 1861
  73. Somalia 1975
  74. South Sudan 2011
  75. Sudan 1991
  76. Tanzania 1971
  77. Togo 1980
  78. Uganda 2023
  79. Zambia 2010
  80. Zimbabwe 2013
  81. Oceania (7)
  82. Fiji 2002
  83. Marshall Islands 1988
  84. Nauru 2018
  85. Palau 2008
  86. Solomon Islands 1978
  87. Tonga 1998
  88. Tuvalu 2023
  89. South America (4)
  90. Guyana
  91. Paraguay 1991
  92. Suriname 2023
  93. Venezuela 1999

Varied, unclear, or unknown laws

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

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

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