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Recognition of same-sex unions in Asia

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Debate has occurred throughout Asia over proposals to legalize same-sex marriage as well as civil unions.

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Laws regarding homosexuality in Asia
Same-sex sexual activity legal
  Marriage performed
  Marriage recognized
  Other type of partnership
  Legal guardianships or unregistered cohabitation
  Limited foreign recognition (residency rights)
  No recognition of same-sex couples
  Restrictions on freedom of expression, not enforced
  Severe restrictions of association with arrests or detention
Same-sex sexual activity illegal
  Prison, not enforced
  Prison
  Death penalty on books, not enforced
  Enforced death penalty

Following a Constitutional Court ruling and a subsequent legislative act, Taiwan became the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide on 24 May 2019,[1] followed by Thailand on 23 January 2025.[2]

In addition, Israel recognises same-sex marriages performed abroad, though not as full marriage, and same-sex marriages are legal in the UK sovereign base areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia and the British Indian Ocean Territory.

Israel also recognises unregistered cohabitation for same-sex couples.[3] Some cities in Cambodia provide same-sex couples with some limited rights and benefits, including hospital visitation rights.[4][5] Several prefectures in Japan issue partnership certificates for same-sex couples.[6][7][8] In Hong Kong, the same-sex partners of residents can receive spousal visas and spousal benefits.[9][10]

Current situation

Summarize
Perspective

National level

More information Status, Country ...
Status Country Legal since Country population
(Last Census count)
Marriage
(2 countries)		 Taiwan Taiwan 2019 23,400,220
Thailand Thailand 2025 65,932,105
Subtotal — — 89,332,325
(1.9% of the Asian population)
Civil union
(1 country)		 Cyprus Cyprus 2015 1,117,000
Subtotal — — 1,117,000
(0.05% of the Asian population)
Recognition of foreign marriage
(1 country)
Israel Israel[citation needed] 2006 10,026,900
Subtotal — — 10,026,900
(0.1% of the Asian population)
Temporary marriage-like union
(1 country)
Nepal Nepal 2024 29,164,578
Subtotal — — 29,164,578
(0.7% of the Asian population)
Total — — 133,640,803
(2.75% of the Asian population)
No recognition
(38 countries)
* same-sex sexual activity illegal		 Afghanistan Afghanistan* — 31,575,018
Azerbaijan Azerbaijan — 10,218,536
Bahrain Bahrain — 1,496,300
Bangladesh Bangladesh* — 165,159,000
Bhutan Bhutan — 727,145
Brunei Brunei* — 422,678
China China — 1,393,970,000
Timor-Leste East Timor — 1,261,407
India India — 1,402,737,000
Indonesia Indonesia — 265,015,300
Iran Iran* — 81,773,300
Iraq Iraq* — 39,339,753
Japan Japan — 126,490,000
Jordan Jordan — 10,235,500
Kazakhstan Kazakhstan —it 20,286,084
Kuwait Kuwait* — 4,226,920
Laos Laos — 6,961,210
Lebanon Lebanon — 6,093,509
Malaysia Malaysia* — 34,112,400
Maldives Maldives* — 378,114
Myanmar Myanmar* — 53,862,731
North Korea North Korea — 25,610,672
Oman Oman* — 4,633,752
Pakistan Pakistan* — 201,938,000
Philippines Philippines — 114,123,600
Qatar Qatar* — 2,450,285
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia* — 33,413,660
Singapore Singapore — 6,036,900
South Korea South Korea — 51,207,874
Sri Lanka Sri Lanka* — 21,444,000
Syria Syria* — 24,672,760
Tajikistan Tajikistan — 8,931,000
Turkey Turkey — 85,664,944
Turkmenistan Turkmenistan* — 7,057,841
United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates* — 9,541,615
Uzbekistan Uzbekistan* — 32,653,900
Vietnam Vietnam — 100,309,209
Yemen Yemen* — 28,915,284
Subtotal — — 4,385,382,645
(95.37% of the Asian population)
Constitutional ban on marriage
(6 countries)
 Armenia Armenia 2015 2,969,800
Cambodia Cambodia 1993 17,336,307
Georgia (country) Georgia 2018 3,694,600
Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan 2016 7,161,900
Mongolia Mongolia 1992 3,504,741
Russia Russia 2020 146,150,789
Subtotal — — 179,180,789
(3.9% of the Asian population)
Total — — 4,564,563,434
(97.25% of the Asian population)
Close

Sub-national level

More information Status, Country ...
Status Country Jurisdiction Legal since Jurisdiction population

(Last Census count)

Marriage

(2 jurisdictions)

 United Kingdom United Kingdom United Kingdom Akrotiri and Dhekelia 2014 15,700
British Indian Ocean Territory British Indian Ocean Territory 2014 3,000 (military personnel only)
Total 18,700
Close

Partially-recognized and unrecognized states

More information Status, Country ...
Status Country Since State population
(Last estimate count)
No recognition
(4 states)
Abkhazia Abkhazia — 242,862
Northern Cyprus Northern Cyprus 476,214
Palestine Palestine[nb 1] — 4,780,978
South Ossetia South Ossetia — 53,532
Total — — 5,390,998
(0.1% of the Asian population)
Close

Public opinion

Summarize
Perspective
  Indicates the country/territory has legalized same-sex marriage nationwide
  Indicates that same-sex marriage rights are pending
  Indicates that the country has civil unions or registered partnerships
  Indicates that same-sex sexual activity is illegal
More information Country or territory, Pollster ...
Opinion polls for same-sex marriage by country
Country or territory Pollster Year For Against Neutral[a] Margin
of error		 Source
Armenia Armenia Pew Research Center 2015 3% 96% 1% ±3% [11][12]
Cambodia Cambodia Pew Research Center 2023 57% 42% 1% [13]
China China Ipsos 2021 43% 19% - [citation needed]
Georgia (country) Georgia Women’s Initiatives Supporting Group 2021 10%
(12%)		 75%
(88%)		 15% [14]
Hong Kong Hong Kong Pew Research Center 2023 58% 40% 2% [13]
India India Pew Research Center 2023 53%
 43% 4% ±3.6% [15]
Indonesia Indonesia Pew Research Center 2023 5% 92% 3% ±3.6% [15]
Israel Israel Pew Research Center 2023 36% 56% 8% ±3.6% [15]
Japan Japan Kyodo News 2023 64%
(72%)		 25%
(28%)		 11% [16]
Asahi Shimbun 2023 72%
(80%)		 18%
(20%)		 10% [17]
Ipsos 2023 38% 40% [31% support some rights]
 22% not sure ±3.5% [18]
Pew Research Center 2023 68%
 26% 6% ±2.75% [13]
Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Pew Research Center 2016 7% 89% 4% - [19][12]
Malaysia Malaysia Pew Research Center 2023 17% 82% 1% [13]
Philippines Philippines SWS 2018 22% 61% 16% [20]
Russia Russia Ipsos 2021 17% 52% - [citation needed]
Singapore Singapore Ipsos 2023 32%
 50% [23% support some rights]
 19% ±3.5% [18]
Pew Research Center 2023 45% 51% 4% [13]
South Korea South Korea Ipsos 2023 35%
 42% [18% support some rights]
 23% not sure ±3.5% [18]
Pew Research Center 2023 41% 56% 3% [13]
Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Pew Research Center 2023 23% 69% 8% [13]
Taiwan Taiwan CNA 2023 63% 37% [21]
Pew Research Center 2023 45%
 43% 12% [13]
Thailand Thailand Ipsos 2023 55%
 29% [18% support some rights]
 16% not sure ±3.5% [18]
Pew Research Center 2023 60% 32% 8% [13]
Turkey Turkey Ipsos 2023 20%
 52% [22% support some rights]
 28% not sure ±3.5% [b] [18]
Vietnam Vietnam Pew Research Center 2023 65% 30% 5% [13]
Close

In 2019, a survey by The Economist found that 45% of respondents in the Asia-Pacific region believed same-sex marriage is inevitable in the region, with 31% of respondents disagreeing. Also, three-quarters of those surveyed reported a more open climate for LGBT rights compared to three years ago. Of those reporting an improving climate for LGBT people, 38% cited a change in policies or laws, while 36% said coverage of LGBT issues in mainstream media was a major factor. The top reason cited for diminishing openness was anti-LGBT advocacy by religious institutions.[22][23]

See also

Notes

  1. [N 1]
    Same-sex sexual activity legal in the West Bank, but legal status in the Gaza Strip is unclear.
  1. Also comprises: Don't know; No answer; Other; Refused.
  2. [+ more urban/educated than representative]

References

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