SocietyWorld map
Same-sex marriage around the world, 2000 to 2025
The year same-sex couples could marry in each country, according to Pew Research Center. At the end of 2025, 39 countries, home to 18% of the world's people.
Remember this
Years it took effect, according to Pew. UK: 2014 in England, Wales and Scotland, 2020 in Northern Ireland. Nepal: counted from 2024 with no law yet; its Supreme Court confirmed the right in June 2026. Territories (Greenland, the Caribbean Netherlands…) are not counted.
Every country's year
Year it became legal nationwide (when it took effect)
| Rank | Name | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Netherlands | 2001 |
| 2 | Belgium | 2003 |
| 3 | Canada | 2005 (from 2003 in part of the country) |
