Polygamy is legal or recognized in various countries, primarily in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. The legal status varies widely, including full legality, legality with stipulations, allowance under customary law, and cases where it is technically illegal but still practiced.
Countries Where Polygamy is Legal and Recognized
- Many African countries such as Sudan, Uganda, Mali, Senegal, Chad, Somalia, South Sudan, and others.
- Middle Eastern countries including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar.
- Some Asian countries like Iran, Sri Lanka (including polyandry), Brunei, Solomon Islands.
- Examples also include Egypt (very rare), Eswatini (very rare), Comoros, Western Sahara.
Countries Where Polygamy is Legal with Stipulations
- Indonesia (legal up to four wives, rules vary by province)
- Bangladesh (husband can marry up to four wives but must have permission from existing wives)
- Philippines (legal for Muslims under exceptional cases)
- Morocco (husband must support additional wives financially and get written permission from first wife)
- Syria (legal nationally but illegal in Kurdistan)
- Zambia, Guinea, Lebanon, Gabon, Bhutan, Maldives (various conditions apply)
Countries Where Polygyny is Legal Only (usually limited to Muslims)
- India, Pakistan, Nigeria (in Sharia Muslim states), Kenya, Algeria, Afghanistan, Yemen, Malaysia, Cameroon, UAE, Republic of the Congo, Singapore, Palestine, Central African Republic, Mauritania, Bahrain, Djibouti.
Countries Where Polygamy is Illegal Under Civil Law but Allowed Under
Customary Law
- South Africa (court permission required)
- Niger, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho.
Countries Where Polygamy is Technically Illegal but Still Practiced
- Ethiopia, DR Congo, Angola, Mozambique, Ghana, Madagascar, Burkina Faso, Benin, Rwanda, Burundi, Equatorial Guinea, Mauritius, Cape Verde, Mayotte, Seychelles.
Polygamy is most commonly practiced as polygyny (one man with multiple wives), with polyandry (one woman with multiple husbands) being rare and legally recognized only in a few places like Sri Lanka and Bhutan under customary law
. In summary, polygamy is legally recognized or tolerated in many countries in Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia, often with specific legal conditions or restrictions, while in many Western countries it remains illegal. The practice is culturally and legally complex, varying significantly by region and religious or customary law.
