In this article, we will look at the 20 countries with the highest approval of same sex marriages and examine trends in public approval for gay and lesbian weddings around the world.
Approval of Gay and Lesbian Marriages in the U.S.
Public approval rates for same-sex marriages differ across the world, showing drastic variations. Although the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in the United States in 2015, data collected by the Pew Research Center shows that only 63% of individuals support it, with 34% standing against it. These sentiments are significantly skewed by religious and political beliefs. For instance, supporters of the Democratic Party are almost twice as likely to approve of same-sex marriages as opposed to the Republicans. While 82% of Democrats support same-sex marriage, only 44% of Republicans express the same sentiments. Age also plays a pivotal role in the approval of gay marriages, as around 73% of Americans below the age of 40 stand in support of gay and lesbian marriages, considering it legal. This translates to about three-quarters of the total population of the United States below the age of 40. In contrast, only 57% of U.S. citizens above the age of 40 give their approval for same-sex marriages.
Geographical Breakdown of Public Approval of Same Sex Marriages
Public sentiment about gay and lesbian weddings also varies across different geographical regions in the world. Countries in Western Europe openly support same-sex marriages, with Sweden taking the lead with 92% supporters. According to data by the Pew Research Center, nearly eight in ten individuals in the country express their approval for same-sex marriages. The Netherlands, Spain, and France trail behind, with 89%, 87%, and 82% of their total population supporting lesbian and gay weddings. Germany also makes the list, with around 80% of people in the country approving same-sex marriages. Same-sex marriage in all of these countries is legal. However, not all European countries have legalized gay and lesbian marriages. The practice is illegal in Poland and Hungary, with 41% and 31% of people supporting it, respectively.
In North America, gay and lesbian marriages are legal in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Around 79% of Canadians support same-sex marriages, while the sentiment in USA and Mexico stands at 63%. Similarly, Brazil and Argentina have legalized same-sex marriages, with 52% and 67% of people supporting it in the two countries, respectively. You can also look at 35 Most Gay-Friendly Cities in the World for further insights.
However, public sentiment changes as we go towards the Asia-Pacific and African continents. While nearly three-quarters of Australian adults support same-sex marriage, the only other country in the Asia-Pacific region with considerably high approval for homosexual marriages is Japan. However, same-sex marriage is not legal in the country, and only 56% of Japanese somewhat favor gay and lesbian marriages. In addition, 65% of individuals in Vietnam and 53% of individuals in India support same-sex marriage. Although Taiwan is the only country in Asia where same-sex marriage is legal, around 43% of individuals in the country oppose it. Similarly, 56% of South Koreans oppose gay and lesbian marriages. Indonesia is the Asian country with the highest percentage of people who oppose gay and lesbian marriages, with around nine in ten people opposing LGBTQ+ people marrying openly. Only 5% of Indonesians support same-sex marriage.
South Africa is the only African country where gay and lesbian marriages are legal. Despite the official ruling in 2006, around 59% of South Africans oppose the cause. In fact, homosexuality is illegal in Nigeria, where only 2% of adults support same-sex marriage. Kenyans follow the same road, with only 9% in favor of same-sex marriages. In the Middle East, 56% of Israelis do not support the prospect of legalizing gay marriage, with religious affiliations and politics playing a major role in driving such sentiments.
Ups and Downs in Public Support
Despite a significant majority of U.S. residents supporting the LGBTQ+ community, the ordeal has hit some bumps over the years. In 2023, Target Corp. (NYSE:TGT) faced a country-wide boycott and media backlash after it decided to sell specialized swimsuits for trans people. The retailer was accused, albeit falsely, of selling the swimsuits to children, with other children’s Pride-theme clothing containing slogans like “Just be you” and “Trans people will always exist!.” On May 10, Bloomberg reported that Target Corp. (NYSE:TGT) had decided to sell its LGBTQ-themed clothing in only select stores across the country. The merchandise this year would only be available for adults after the retailer had to suffer a dent in revenue due to a nationwide boycott.
Now that we have taken an overview of the public sentiment regarding LGBTQ+ people across the globe, let’s look at the 20 countries with the highest approval of same-sex marriages. You can also look at 36 Countries Where Gay Marriage Is Legal and 15 Best Gay Dating Sites and Apps of 2024.
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Our Methodology
In order to compile a list of the 20 countries with the highest approval of same-sex marriages, we have taken the percentage of people who approve same-sex marriages as the primary and sole metric. We have acquired the data from a survey by the Pew Research Center conducted across 32 countries in 2023. We have also incorporated additional information from the Pew Research Center in our list. The 20 countries with the highest approval of same-sex marriages are arranged in ascending order of the aforementioned metric.
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20 Countries with the Highest Approval of Same-Sex Marriage
20. Greece
% of People who Approve Same-Sex Marriage in the Country as of 2023: 48%
Greece ranks 20th on our list of the 20 countries with the highest approval of same-sex marriages with about 48% people expressing support for the same. According to estimates by the Pew Research Center, women in the country are more in favor of same sex marriages as compared to men. While 54% of women approve of gay and lesbian marriages, 42% of men do the same.
19. Brazil
% of People who Approve Same-Sex Marriage in the Country as of 2023: 52%
The Latin American country of Brazil ranks 19th on our list, with around 52% of individuals in the country expressing support for same sex marriages. The country legalized gay and lesbian weddings in 2013. However, around half of the 27 jurisdictions in the country had already given their approval for same sex marriages before the court ruling declared it legal across the country in 2013.
18. India
% of People who Approve Same-Sex Marriage in the Country as of 2023: 53%
Gay and lesbian marriages are not legal in India, even when 53% of individuals in the country are of the opinion that people should be allowed to marry individuals of their own sex. However, 43% of Indians do not approve of same-sex marriages. In fact, the Indian Supreme Court rejected a petition to legalize gay and lesbian marriages in 2023.
17. Cambodia
% of People who Approve Same-Sex Marriage in the Country as of 2023: 57%
With 57% of Cambodians in favor of same sex marriage, the country ranks 17th on our list. The Southeast Asian country is located on the Indochinese Peninsula.
16. Hong Kong
% of People who Approve Same-Sex Marriage in the Country as of 2023: 58%
Gay and lesbian marriage is not legal in Hong Kong. Nevertheless, about 58% of people in the country approve of same-sex marriage in the country as of 2023. Hong Kong ranks 16th on our list. According to estimates by the Pew Research Center, women are more likely to support same sex marriage in the country as compared to men. While 61% of women residing in Hong Kong approve of gay and lesbian marriages, only 55% of men do the same.
15. Thailand
% of People who Approve Same-Sex Marriage in the Country as of 2023: 60%
Thailand ranks 15th on our list of the 20 countries with the highest approval of same sex marriages in the country as of 2023. Around 60% of people in the country approve of allowing gays and lesbians to exercise their right to marry whoever they desire.
14. USA
% of People who Approve Same-Sex Marriage in the Country as of 2023: 63%
63% of people in the United States of America support gay and lesbian marriages in the country as of 2023. Same-sex marriage became legal in the USA in 2015. However, 36 states and the District of Columbia had already legalized the same before the Supreme Court’s ruling.
13. Mexico
% of People who Approve Same-Sex Marriage in the Country as of 2023: 63%
Mexico has the same percentage of people who approve of same sex marriages as the United States: 63%. Although the Mexican Supreme Court declared state bans on gay and lesbian marriages unconstitutional in 2015, same sex marriages did not become legal in the country until 2022.
12. Vietnam
% of People who Approve Same-Sex Marriage in the Country as of 2023: 65%
65% of individuals in Vietnam express support for gays and lesbians who wish to marry, even when it is not legal in the country. Vietnam ranks 12th on our list. Located in southeast Asia, the country has a population of 98.19 million as of 2022, according to estimates by the World Bank.
11. Argentina
% of People who Approve Same-Sex Marriage in the Country as of 2023: 67%
About 67% of people in Argentina approve of same sex marriages in the country as of 2023, ranking it 11th on our list. Argentina legalized gay and lesbian marriages in 2010, and was the first South American country to do so.
10. Japan
% of People who Approve Same-Sex Marriage in the Country as of 2023: 68%
Japan ranks tenth on our list with 68% of people in the country approving of marriage between same sex couples. Japan has the highest number of people in favor of gay and lesbian marriages in Asia.
9. Italy
% of People who Approve Same-Sex Marriage in the Country as of 2023: 73%
Same sex marriage is not legal in Italy. Nevertheless, 73% of people in the country favor allowing gay and lesbian people to marry. Italy ranks ninth on our list.
8. United Kingdom
% of People who Approve Same-Sex Marriage in the Country as of 2023: 74%
With 74% in support of gay and lesbian marriages as of 2023, the United Kingdom ranks eighth on our list of 20 countries with the highest approval of same-sex marriages. Gay and lesbian marriages were legalized in the country in 2014.
7. Australia
% of People who Approve Same-Sex Marriage in the Country as of 2023: 75%
The matter of legalizing same-sex marriages was dealt with through a nationwide referendum held in Australia, with voters who supported the cause taking the lead with 61.6% of people in support. 38.4% of individuals voted against the legalization of gay and lesbian marriage in the country. Same-sex marriage was legalized in the country in 2017.
6. Canada
% of People who Approve Same-Sex Marriage in the Country as of 2023: 79%
With 79% of people living in Canada expressing their approval for gay and lesbian marriages as of 2023, the country ranks sixth on our list. Same-sex marriage was officially made legal in the country in 2005. However, several Canadian provinces had already approved it before the national legislation was passed by the Parliament in 2005.
5. Germany
% of People who Approve Same-Sex Marriage in the Country as of 2023: 80%
Same-sex marriage was legalized in Germany in 2017. Although the country’s Christian Democratic Union party submitted a formal opposition to same-sex marriage, then-Chancellor Angela Merkel called for members of her ruling party to consider their conscience while voting, thereby legalizing gay and lesbian marriage.
4. France
% of People who Approve Same-Sex Marriage in the Country as of 2023: 82%
France ranks fourth on our list of the 20 countries with the highest approval of same-sex marriage as of 2023, with 82% of its citizens expressing their approval for the same. The country legalized gay and lesbian marriage in 2013, after an unsuccessful court challenge that led the then French President François Hollande to sign the law.
3. Spain
% of People who Approve Same-Sex Marriage in the Country as of 2023: 87%
About 87% people of the total Spanish population approve of gay and lesbian marriages as of 2023, ranking it third on our list. The country legalized same-sex marriage in 2005, becoming the third country in the world to do so. The legalization took place after a vote in Spain’s Parliament, which was closely divided on the matter.
2. The Netherlands
% of People who Approve Same-Sex Marriage in the Country as of 2023: 89%
The Netherlands, informally known as Holland, is a European country located in the northwest of the region. Sandwiched between Germany and Belgium, the country ranks second on our list with around 89% of its residents approving gay and lesbian weddings as of 2023.
1. Sweden
% of People who Approve Same-Sex Marriage in the Country as of 2023: 92%
Sweden ranks first on our list of the 20 countries with the highest approval of same-sex marriages. 92% of its residents approve of marriage between gay and lesbian couples, which has been legal in the country since 2009. According to the Pew Research Center, gay and lesbian couples in the country have been allowed to register for civil unions since 1995. It has a global acceptance index of 9.18 as of 2021. The Nordic country borders the other Scandinavian countries of Finland and Norway, and has a population of 10.49 million as of 2022, according to estimates by the World Bank.
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