View source for Social:Legality of polygamy

[[File:Legality of polygamy.svg|thumb|400px
 | <div style="margin:0 0.5em;">
{{legend striped|#009e73|#009e73|Polygamy is legal for Muslims only}}
{{legend striped|#56b4e9|#56b4e9|Polygamy is legal}}
{{legend striped|#0072b2|#0072b2|Polygamy is legal only in some areas (Indonesia)}}
{{legend striped|#d55e00|#d55e00|Polygamy is illegal, but practice is not criminalised}}
{{legend striped|#000000|#000000|Polygamy is illegal and practice criminalised}}
{{legend striped|#e0e0e0|#e0e0e0|Legal status unknown}} </div> 
{{Bulleted list |style=margin:0.5em 0.5em 0.25em;border-top:1px solid#aaa;font-size:94%; |item_style=line-height:1.3em;
| In Lebanon, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore polygamy is only legal for [[Religion:Muslim|Muslim]]s.
| In Nigeria and South Africa, polygamous marriages under customary law and for Muslims are legally recognized.
| In Mauritius, polygamous unions have no legal recognition. Muslim men may, however, "marry" up to four women, but they do not have the legal status of&nbsp;wives.
}} ]]

The '''legal status of polygamy''' varies widely around the world. [[Social:Polygyny|Polygyny]] is legal in 58 out of nearly 200 sovereign states, the vast majority of them being Muslim-majority countries in Africa and Asia. [[Social:Polyandry|Polyandry]] is illegal in virtually every country.{{Citation needed|reason=There are reported cases of legal polyandry in some non-islamic African countries|date=September 2019}} A number of countries permit polygyny among Muslims in their communities. Some countries that permit polygyny have restrictions, such as requiring the first wife to give her consent.

In countries that ban [[Religion:Polygamy|polygamy]], the offence is commonly called bigamy, though the penalty varies between jurisdictions. In some countries where polygamy is illegal, the prohibition is not enforced.

==Countries that recognize polygamous marriages==
===Africa===
* {{flagicon|Algeria}} Algeria<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4e3ba9212.pdf |format=PDF |title=Algeria – Researched and compiled by the Refugee Documentation Centre of Ireland on 22 July 2011 : Information on forced marriages and polygamous marriages, including the treatment of women |website=Refworld.org |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Cameroon}} Cameroon<ref>{{cite web|url=http://features.csmonitor.com/backstory/2008/11/13/in-modern-cameroon-polygamy-doesn%E2%80%99t-pay/|title=In modern Cameroon polygamy doesn’t pay - csmonitor.com|date=10 February 2009|url-status=bot: unknown|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210233657/http://features.csmonitor.com/backstory/2008/11/13/in-modern-cameroon-polygamy-doesn%E2%80%99t-pay/|archivedate=10 February 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Chad}} Chad<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.internationalchristianpolygamysociety.org/2011/12/christian-polygamy-in-chad-africa/|title=Christian Polygamy In Chad Africa|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702033824/http://www.internationalchristianpolygamysociety.org/2011/12/christian-polygamy-in-chad-africa/|archivedate=2 July 2012|date=December 2011|publisher=Christian Polygamy Society}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Central African Republic}} Central African Republic<ref>{{cite book |last=OECD |first= |date=20 February 2010 |title=Atlas of Gender and Development How Social Norms Affect Gender Equality in non-OECD Countries |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4QQlVW1rOsIC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false |location= |publisher=OECD Publishing |page=206 |isbn=9264077472 |quote=The practice of polygamy is legal in the Central African Republic but faces growing resistance among educated women}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Republic of the Congo}} Republic of the Congo<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2003/wom1383.doc.htm |title=Republic Of Congo Responds To Questions Raised In Women’S Anti-Discrimination Committee &#124; Meetings Coverage And Press Releases |website=Un.org |date=2003-01-29 |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Djibouti}} Djibouti<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.africa4womensrights.org/public/Dossier_of_Claims/Djibouti-UK.pdf |format=PDF |title=Women’s rights protection instruments ratified by Djibouti |website=Africa4womensrights.org |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Egypt}} Egypt<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cairoscene.com/In-Depth/Polygamy-in-Egypt-Why-I-Decided-to-marry-a-Second-Wife?fb_comment_id=995923153763398_999873900034990#faba49c86231cc |title=Polygamy in Egypt: Why I Decided to Marry a Second Wife |last=Primo |first=Valentina |date=27 September 2015 |website= |publisher=carioscene |access-date=30 December 2016 |quote=We all know male polygamy is legal.}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Gabon}} Gabon:<ref>{{cite web | title=Gender Equality and Social Institutions in Gabon | url=http://genderindex.org/country/gabon | publisher=Social Institutions & Gender Index, genderindex.org | date=2007 | accessdate=2009-04-27 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100619172233/http://genderindex.org/country/gabon | archive-date=19 June 2010 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}</ref> Both men and women can join in polygamous marriage with the other gender under Gabonese law. In practice, the right to multiple spouses is reserved for men only.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www1.uneca.org/awro/CountrySpecificInformationGabon.aspx |title=African Women's Rights Observatory > Country Specific Information - Gabon |website=Uneca.org |date= |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Gambia}} The Gambia<ref>{{cite web|author=pt |url=http://www.accessgambia.com/information/polygamy.html |title=Polygamy in Gambia |website=Accessgambia.com |date= |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Guinea}} Guinea<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.genderindex.org/country/guinea |title=Gender Equality in Guinea &#124; Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) |website=Genderindex.org |date= |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Libya}} Libya<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2013/02/07/264927.html|title=Libyan men now allowed to remarry without consent of first wife: court rule|publisher=English.alarabiya.net|accessdate=29 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101102139/http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2013/02/07/264927.html|archive-date=1 November 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2011/11/06/polygamy_in_libya_and_beyond/|title=Polygamy in Libya — and beyond|work=Salon.com|accessdate=29 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.voanews.com/content/libyas-women-activists-outraged-by-court-ruling-on-multimple-wives/1611645.html|title=Libya's Women Activists Outraged by Court Ruling on Wives|work=VOA|accessdate=29 October 2014}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Kenya}} Kenya: Polygymy legal under legislation passed in 2014.<ref name=KENYA>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2014/03/kenyan-parliament-passes-polygamy-law-201432116656522465.html|title=Kenyan parliament passes polygamy law|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=21 March 2014}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Mali}} Mali<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.refworld.org/docid/53ecb7c74.html |title=Mali: polygamy, including conditions to be met for a man to be able to marry a second wife; divorce, specifically when a woman requests a divorce, including the grounds and treatment of women by society and the authorities (2012-December 2013) |website=Refworld.org |date= |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Mauritania}} Mauritania<ref name="Maur">{{cite web|url=http://www.genderindex.org/country/mauritania#_ftn17 |title=Gender Equality in Mauritania &#124; Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) |website=Genderindex.org |date= |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Morocco}} Morocco<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mbctimes.com/english/life/polygamy-how-moroccans-trick-to-have-a-second-wife |title=Polygamy: How Moroccans trick to have a second wife |last=Medini |first=Mona |date=23 January 2015 |publisher=MBC Times |access-date=25 November 2016 |quote=[Polygamy] legally becomes theoretically almost impossible if not completely impossible. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817211946/http://www.mbctimes.com/english/life/polygamy-how-moroccans-trick-to-have-a-second-wife |archive-date=17 August 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Nigeria}}Nigeria (only in some states)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nigerianwomenworld.com/highlights/traditional-marriage-in-nigeria.php|title=Traditional marriage in Nigeria: Polygamy|author=Itoro E. Akpan-Iquot|publisher=Migerianwomenworld.com|accessdate=21 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111230231254/http://www.nigerianwomenworld.com/highlights/traditional-marriage-in-nigeria.php|archive-date=30 December 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Sao Tome and Principe}} São Tomé and Príncipe<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalgayz.com/gay-life-in-sao-tome-and-principe/ |title=Gay Life in São Tomé and Príncipe |website=Globalgayz.com |date= |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Senegal}} Senegal<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.genderindex.org/country/senegal |title=Gender Equality in Senegal &#124; Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) |website=Genderindex.org |date= |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Somalia}} Somalia<ref>{{citation |url= http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2007-03/2007-03-12-voa14.cfm |title= Acceptance of Polygamy Slowly Changes in Muslim Africa |date= 12 March 2007 |work= VOANews.com |publisher= Voice of America |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090507024715/http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2007-03/2007-03-12-voa14.cfm |archive-date= 2009-05-07 |url-status= dead }}</ref>
* {{flagicon|South Sudan}} South Sudan<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailysabah.com/africa/2015/02/11/is-polygamy-corrupting-south-sudan |title=Is polygamy corrupting South Sudan? |last= |first= |date=11 February 2015 |website=Daily Sabah Africa |publisher= |access-date=30 December 2016 |quote=Polygamy is commonly practiced in many African societies, including South Sudan.}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Sudan}} Sudan<ref name="Sudan pushes polygamy">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1493309.stm |title=AFRICA &#124; Sudan pushes polygamy |work=BBC News |date=2001-08-15 |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Swaziland}} Eswatini<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ad7a6c.html|title=Refworld - Swaziland: Laws and customs in Swaziland regarding polygamy|first=United Nations High Commissioner for|last=Refugees|publisher=}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Togo}} Togo<ref>{{cite web|author=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |url=http://www.refworld.org/docid/4f97dc762.html |title=Togo: Polygamy among the country's ruling elite |website=Refworld.org |date= |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Tanzania}} Tanzania<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ecommons.luc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1014&context=social_justice |format=PDF |title=Divorce and Polygamy in Tanzania |website=Ecommons.luc.edu |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Uganda}} Uganda<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.genderindex.org/country/uganda |title=Gender Equality in Uganda &#124; Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) |website=Genderindex.org |date= |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Zambia}} Zambia<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.genderindex.org/country/zambia |title=Gender Equality in Zambia &#124; Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) |website=Genderindex.org |date= |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>

===Asia===
* {{flagicon|Afghanistan}} Afghanistan<ref>{{cite news|last1=Nordland|first1=Rod|last2=Sukhanyar|first2=Jawad|title=Afghan Mullah Leading Stoning Inquiry Condones Practice|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/08/world/asia/afghan-mullah-leading-stoning-inquiry-condones-practice.html|accessdate=1 November 2016|work={{wipe|The New York Times}}|date=7 November 2015}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Bahrain}} Bahrain<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bahrainrights.org/en/node/2798 |title=Freedom House: Women's Rights in Bahrain 2009 &#124; Bahrain Center for Human Rights |website=Bahrainrights.org |date=2009-03-18 |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Bangladesh}} Bangladesh<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.genderindex.org/country/bangladesh |title=Gender Equality in Bangladesh &#124; Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) |website=Genderindex.org |date= |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Bhutan}} Bhutan<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.genderindex.org/country/bhutan |title=Gender Equality in Bhutan &#124; Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) |website=Genderindex.org |date= |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref><ref name="French">{{cite news|last=French |first=Patrick |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/3671552/Bhutan-Small-wonder.html |title=Bhutan: Last wonder |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=1 March 2008 |accessdate=21 October 2010}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Brunei}} Brunei<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ftcam.de/ft_files/Scheidung_BruneiDarussalam1.pdf |format=PDF |title=Laws of Brunei |website=Ftcam.de |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Indonesia}} Indonesia (except for in the provinces of Maluku, North Maluku, Papua, and West Papua) <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.genderindex.org/country/indonesia |title=Gender Equality in Indonesia &#124; Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) |website=Genderindex.org |date= |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Iran}} Iran<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.genderindex.org/country/iran-islamic-rep |title=Gender Equality in Iran, Islamic Rep. &#124; Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) |website=Genderindex.org |date= |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Iraq}} Iraq (except for in Iraqi Kurdistan)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/01/iraq-polygamy-men-marriage-society.html#ixzz4UKf4Y9px |title=Rising incomes mean many Iraqi men marry multiple wives |last=Bassem |first=Wassim |date=26 January 2015 |website=Al-Monitor |publisher= |access-date=30 December 2016 |quote=}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Jordan}} Jordan<ref>{{cite web|url=https://jo.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/marriage-in-jordan/|title=Marriage in Jordan - U.S. Embassy in Jordan|publisher=}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Kuwait}} Kuwait<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1097/00005053-198501000-00009 |pmid=3965613 |title=Women of Polygamous Marriages in an Inpatient Psychiatric Service in Kuwait |journal=The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease |volume=173 |issue=1 |pages=56–8 |year=1985 |last1=Chaleby |first1=Kutaiba }}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Lebanon}} Lebanon<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2015/01/19/interview-women-unequal-under-lebanons-law|title=Interview: Women Unequal Under Lebanon’s Law|date=19 January 2015|publisher=}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Maldives}} Maldives<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unmarriedamerica.org/members/news/2003/October-News/Maldives_divorce_rate_soar.html |title=Maldives divorce rate soars |website=Unmarriedamerica.org |date=2003-10-31 |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Oman}} Oman<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.genderindex.org/country/oman |title=Gender Equality in Oman &#124; Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) |website=Genderindex.org |date= |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Qatar}} Qatar<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110125221938/http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2010/11/08/125311.html ]</ref>
* {{flagicon|Pakistan}} Pakistan<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.genderindex.org/country/pakistan |title=Gender Equality in Pakistan &#124; Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) |website=Genderindex.org |date= |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Saudi Arabia}} Saudi Arabia<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.genderindex.org/country/saudi-arabia |title=Gender Equality in Saudi Arabia &#124; Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) |website=Genderindex.org |date= |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Sri Lanka}} Sri Lanka<ref>{{cite web |url=http://modernnotion.com/polyandry-when-women-have-multiple-husbands/ |title=Yes, There Is a Marriage Practice Where Women Have Multiple Husbands |last=Weber |first=Stephanie |date=16 December 2015 |website= |publisher=Modern Notion |access-date=26 November 2016 |quote=In Sri Lanka, however, polyandry is actually protected under law. Under the Kandyan Marriage Law, women are permitted to be married to multiple men. In modern Sri Lanka, the practice often starts with a monogamous relationship that then expands with a partner of the wife’s choosing.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.commonlii.org/lk/legis/consol_act/mad132209.pdf |format=PDF |title=Marriage and Divorce (Kandyan) : Chapter 132 |website=Commonlii.org |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Zeitzen |first=Miriam |date=1 Apr 2008 |title=Polygamy: A Cross-Cultural Analysis |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tMivAwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false |location= |publisher=Berg. |page=64 |isbn=9781847883711}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Syria}} Syria (except in [[Place:Syrian Kurdistan|Syrian Kurdistan]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.genderindex.org/country/syrian-arab-republic |title=Gender Equality in Syrian Arab Republic &#124; Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) |website=Genderindex.org |date= |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|United Arab Emirates}} United Arab Emirates<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.genderindex.org/country/united-arab-emirates |title=Gender Equality in United Arab Emirates &#124; Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) |website=Genderindex.org |date= |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Yemen}} Yemen<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.genderindex.org/country/yemen |title=Gender Equality in Yemen &#124; Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) |website=Genderindex.org |date= |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>

===Oceania===
* {{flagicon|Solomon Islands}} Solomon Islands<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/0465238049fb0beca26eebd1a5d13d27/IFC_Gender+and+Inv+Climate+Reform+Assessments+_SolomonIslands.pdf?MOD=AJPERES |format=PDF |title=Solomon Islands : Gender and Investment Climate Reform Assessment |website=Ifc.org |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>

==Countries that only recognize polygamous marriages for Muslims==
''Note: These countries are included separately because they have specific legislation aimed only at Muslims.''

===Asia===

*{{flagicon|Malaysia}} Malaysia<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lawyerment.com/library/kb/Families/Marriage/1019.htm |title=What are the types of marriages in Malaysia? - Marriage - Lawyerment Knowledge Base |website=Lawyerment.com |date=2016-11-16 |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Philippines}} Philippines<ref>{{cite web|url=http://countrystudies.us/philippines/38.htm|title=Philippines - Muslim Filipinos|website=countrystudies.us}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Singapore}} Singapore. 
*{{flagicon|India}} India.

==Countries that do not recognize polygamous marriages==
===Africa===
*Benin<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.genderindex.org/country/benin |title=Gender Equality in Benin &#124; Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) |website=Genderindex.org |date= |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
*Côte d'Ivoire: Polygamy may be punishable by six months to three years imprisonment, or a fine of [[Finance:West African CFA franc|CFA]] 50,000 to CFA 500,000 (US$80 to US$800).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://genderindex.org/country/cote-d039ivoire |title=Gender Equality in Cote d'Ivoire &#124; Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) |website=Genderindex.org |accessdate=2017-01-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221215420/http://www.genderindex.org/country/cote-d039ivoire |archive-date=21 December 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
*Eritrea: Illegal since 1977, after 2015 polygamy is punishable with "a definite term of imprisonment of not less than 6 months and not more than 12 months, or a fine of 20,001 – 50,000 Nakfas."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.refworld.org/pdfid/55a51ccc4.pdf |format=PDF |title=PENAL CODE OF THE STATE OF ERITREA |website=Refworld.org |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
*Ethiopia<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/eoir/legacy/2013/06/11/marriage_2.pdf |title=Microsoft Word - Q14320 Ethiopia |format=PDF |website=Justice.gov |date= |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ajol.info/index.php/olj/article/download/107617/97469 |title=BIGAMOUS MARRIAGE AND THE DIVISION OF COMMON PROPERTY UNDER THE ETHIOPIAN LAW: REGULATORY CHALLENGES AND OPTIONS |website=Ajol.info |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
*Seychelles
*Tunisia, where it has been banned since 1956<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-41278610 Tunisian women free to marry non-Muslims], BBC, 16 Sept 2017</ref>

====Under customary law====
*Botswana<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.africa4womensrights.org/public/Dossier_of_Claims/BotswanaENG.pdf |format=PDF |title=Women’s rights protection instruments ratified by Botswana |website=Africa4womensrights.org |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
*Lesotho<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/Treaties/CEDAW/Shared%20Documents/LSO/CEDAW_C_LSO_CO_1-4_Add-2_22348_E.pdf |format=PDF |title=Concluding observations on the combined initial to fourth periodic reports of Lesotho |website=Tbinternet.ohchr.org |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
*Liberia<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.genderindex.org/country/liberia |title=Gender Equality in Liberia &#124; Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) |website=Genderindex.org |date= |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
*Malawi<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.genderindex.org/country/malawi |title=Gender Equality in Malawi &#124; Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) |website=Genderindex.org |date= |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
*Namibia<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.genderindex.org/country/namibia |title=Gender Equality in Namibia &#124; Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) |website=Genderindex.org |date= |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
*Niger<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.genderindex.org/country/niger |title=Gender Equality in Niger &#124; Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) |website=Genderindex.org |date= |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
*Nigeria (only in some states):<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.genderindex.org/country/nigeria |title=Gender Equality in Nigeria &#124; Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) |website=Genderindex.org |date= |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref> Recognized in all northern Sharia states
*Sierra Leone<ref>CEDAW (2007), Responses to the List of Issues And Questions with Regard to the Consideration of the Combined Initial, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Periodic Reports: Sierra Leone, CEDAW/C/SLE/Q/5/Add. 1, CEDAW, New York, NY, p. 17.</ref>
*South Africa:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.genderindex.org/country/south-africa |title=Gender Equality in South Africa &#124; Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) |website=Genderindex.org |date= |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref> Recognized under customary law, and recognised for civil purposes in terms of the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act.
*Zimbabwe<ref>{{cite web|url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78765.htm |title=Zimbabwe |website=State.gov |date=2007-03-06 |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>

====Illegal ''de jure'' but still practiced====
*Angola<ref>{{cite web |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-41030220090714 |title=Polygamy in Angola isn't legal, but it is common |last=Almeida |first=Henrique |date=14 July 2009 |website=Reuters |publisher= |access-date=30 December 2016 |quote=Although Angolan law condemns polygamy, or multiple marriages, the practice is widespread in a country with a large share of female-headed households and where woman are often left alone to care for their children.}}</ref>
*Burkina Faso <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.genderindex.org/country/burkina-faso |title=Gender Equality in Burkina Faso &#124; Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) |website=Genderindex.org |date= |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
*Burundi<ref>{{cite book |last=Jensen Arnett |first=Jeffrey |date=2007 |title=International encyclopedia of adolescence: A-J, index, Volume 1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lA606koL3EQC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false |location= |publisher=Taylor & Francis |page=123 |isbn=0415966671}}</ref>
*Cabo Verde<ref>{{cite book |last=Rego |first=Márcia |date=8 April 2015 |title=The Dialogic Nation of Cape Verde: Slavery, Language, and Ideology |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ND19CAAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false |location= |publisher=Lexington Books |page=33 |isbn=0739193783 |quote=family structure in Santiago (and in much of Cape Verde) is characterized by informal polygamy}}</ref>
*Democratic Republic of the Congo<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/eoir/legacy/2014/08/04/COD104852.E.pdf |format=PDF |title=Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada : Responses to Information Requests |website=Justice.gov |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
*Equatorial Guinea<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uoregon.edu/~aweiss/intl421_521/CEDAW_Report_West_Africa.pdf |format=PDF |title=Examining the Life of Women in Western Africa |website=Uoregon.edu |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.law.emory.edu/ifl/region/westafrica.html |title=Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na'im |website=Law.emory.edu |date= |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090204224800/http://www.uneca.org/adfvi/documents/ADFVI_Progress_Report_ENG.pdf ]</ref>
*Ghana<ref name="genderindex.org">{{cite web|url=http://genderindex.org/country/ghana|title=Gender Equality in Ghana - Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI)|publisher=Genderindex.org|accessdate=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925152154/http://www.genderindex.org/country/ghana|archive-date=25 September 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.law.emory.edu/ifl/legal/ghana.htm|title=Ghana|publisher=Law.emory.edu|accessdate=24 September 2015}}</ref>
*{{wipe|Madagascar}}<ref>{{cite book|last=OECD|first=|year=2010|title=Atlas of Gender and Development: How Social Norms Affect Gender Equality in non-OECD Countries|publisher=Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Development Centre.|location=Paris|isbn=978-92-64-07520-7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KjGk01ZpSQQC|ref=harv}}</ref>
*[[Earth:Mauritius|Mauritius]]
*Mayotte (French territory) (not criminalized): Considered to be de facto illegal since a referendum sponsored by France in March 2009, forcing the island to comply with the French laws.<ref>{{cite news|author=Angelique Chrisafis in Paris |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/mar/26/mayote-referendum-polygamy-islam |title=Welcome to France: home of sun, sea, sand, polygamy and the Indian Ocean |work=Guardian |date= 26 March 2009|accessdate=21 October 2010 |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/world/muslim-island-must-give-up-polygamy-as-price-of-being-part-of-france-20090330-9h3j.html |title=Muslim island must give up polygamy as price of being part of France |work=Sydney Morning Herald  |date=31 March 2009 |accessdate=21 October 2010}}</ref> However, pre-existing Muslim marriages are currently still valid.
*Mozambique<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mozambique-widows-polygamy-idUSKCN0ZL0T6 |title=Widows without sons in Mozambique accused of sorcery and robbed of land |last=Mwareya |first=Ray |date=5 July 2016 |website=Reuters |publisher= |access-date=30 December 2016 |quote=Although polygamy is prohibited in Mozambique there is no punishment. Across the country nearly a third of married women are thought to be in polygamous marriages, according to a NORAD survey.}}</ref>
*Rwanda<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.servat.unibe.ch/law/icl/rw00000_.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100628025036/http://www.servat.unibe.ch/law/icl/rw00000_.html |archive-date=28 June 2010 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

===Americas===
*Antigua and Barbuda
*Argentina
*Bahamas
*Barbados
*Belize
*Bolivia
*Brazil: Bigamy is illegal but the practice is decriminalized, having led to newsworthy accounts of cohabitation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.efe.com/efe/english/life/polygamy-is-brazil-s-latest-contribution-to-sexual-revolution/50000263-2893262 |title=Polygamy is Brazil's latest contribution to sexual revolution |website=efe.com |date= |accessdate=2018-07-02}}</ref>
*Canada: All forms of polygamy, and some informal multiple sexual relationships, are illegal under section 293 of the Criminal Code.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-46/section-293.html#docCont |title=Criminal Code |website=Laws-lois.justice.gc.ca |date= |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref> Bigamy is banned by section 290.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-46/section-290.html#docCont |title=Criminal Code |website=Laws-lois.justice.gc.ca |date= |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref> However, for a long time, the law banning polygamy has not been efficient. As of January 2009, no person had been ''successfully'' prosecuted, i.e. convicted, in over sixty years.<ref name=daniel>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/01/21/f-polygamy.html|title=Polygamy in Canada|date=21 January 2009|first=Daniel |last=Lak|publisher=CBC News|accessdate=23 July 2009}}</ref> In 2009, two acquittals on polygamy charges, arising out of the town of Bountiful, British Columbia, prompted the government of British Columbia to pose a reference question to the Supreme Court of British Columbia (i.e., the superior trial court).  The reference questions asked if criminalisation of polygamy was consistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms; and, if so, under what circumstances could people be legally punished for polygamy.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/crown-wants-polygamy-testimony-off-internet-1.868125?ref | work=CBC News |title=Crown wants polygamy testimony off internet | date=26 November 2010}}</ref> In November 2011 the court released its 335 page long decision, which was that the criminal offence of polygamy is indeed constitutional, but that it should not be used to prosecute minors for having taken part of a polygamous marriage.<ref name="BCSCdecision"/> Chief Justice Robert Bauman conceded that there is a conflict between this law and some civil right principles, but stated that there are other and "more important" issues which in this case take precedence. He wrote (as quoted by CBC news<ref name="BCSCdecision"/>): "I have concluded that this case is essentially about harm. More specifically, Parliament's reasoned apprehension of harm arising out of the practice of polygamy. This includes harm to women, to children, to society and to the institution of monogamous marriage." Bauman argued that there are cases where the "wives" (who may be rather young; sometimes as young as 12 years) are abducted and abused, but because they believe in a faith promoting polygamy, they are not willing to bring complaints to the authorities. He reasons that these offences sometimes may be stopped by applying anti-polygamy legislation. The decision was welcomed by the Attorney General of British Columbia, and by a representative for the group Stop Polygamy in Canada. Likewise, according to the CBC news,<ref name="BCSCdecision"/> some polyamorous groups in Canada expressed their relief, since Bauman had stated that the law shouldn't apply to them unless they decide to formalize their unions. Women's rights were central to decision.<ref name="BCSCdecision">{{cite news| url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2011/11/23/bc-polygamy-ruling-supreme-court.html | work=CBC news | title=Canada's polygamy laws upheld by B.C. Supreme Court | date=23 November 2011}}</ref>
*Chile
*Colombia
*Costa Rica
*Cuba
*Dominica
*Dominican Republic
*Ecuador
*El Salvador
*Grenada
*Guatemala
*Guyana
*Haiti
*Honduras
*Jamaica
*Mexico
*Nicaragua
*Panama
*Paraguay
*Peru
*St. Kitts and Nevis
*St. Lucia
*St. Vincent and The Grenadines
*Suriname
*Trinidad and Tobago
[[File:Legality_of_Polygamy_in_the_United_States_by_State.svg|thumb|210px|right|Bigamy laws throughout the United States{{legend|#FF0102|Misdemeanor}}{{legend|#800000|Felony}}
{{legend|#2B0000|All forms of cohabitation outlawed}}]]
*United States: Polygamy is illegal in all 50 states<ref name=quietly>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90857818|title=Some Muslims in U.S. Quietly Engage in Polygamy|publisher=National Public Radio: All Things Considered|accessdate=23 July 2009|date=27 May 2008|author=Barbara Bradley Hagerty}}</ref> however in Utah, in February, 2020, the law was significantly changed in the House and Senate to reduce polygamy to the status of a traffic ticket.[https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/polygamy-bill-passes-the-utah-state-legislature] It is still illegal federally according to the Edmunds Act . From about 1847 to 1857, in what is now the state of Utah,  many Mormons practiced polygamy, which was widely condemned in the rest of the US. The US federal government threatened The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and made polygamy illegal through the enforcement of Acts of Congress such as the Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act. The LDS Church formally outlawed the practice in 1890, in a document labeled '[[Religion:1890 Manifesto|The Manifesto]]'.<ref name=daniel/><ref>{{citation |first= Edward Leo |last= Lyman |contribution= Statehood for Utah |url= http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/s/STATEHOOD.html |editor-last= Powell |editor-first= Allan Kent |year= 1994 |title= Utah History Encyclopedia |location= Salt Lake City, Utah |publisher= University of Utah Press |isbn= 0874804256 |oclc= 30473917 |url-status= dead |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20131101131036/http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/s/STATEHOOD.html |archivedate= 1 November 2013 |df= dmy-all }}</ref> Small splinter groups from the LDS Church, such as Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and the Apostolic United Brethren still practice polygamy and awareness has been increased through television dramas such as Big Love and reality shows such as Sister Wives. Among American Muslims, a small minority of around 50,000 to 100,000 people are estimated to live in families with a husband maintaining an informal polygamous relationship.<ref name=quietly />
*Uruguay
*Venezuela

===Asia===

*Nepal
*China: Polygamy is illegal under Marriage Law passed in 1980, which replaced a similar 1950 prohibition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lawinfochina.com/display.aspx?lib=law&id=11|title=Marriage Law of the People's Republic of China |website=www.lawinfochina.com}}</ref> In Hong Kong, polygamy ended with the passing of the Marriage Act of 1971.
*[[Religion:Marriage in Israel|Israel]]: Polygamy has been banned for all confessional communities since at least 1959.<ref name=IsrLaw>[https://www.jstor.org/pss/839776 The English Law of Bigamy in a Multi-Confessional Society: The Israel Experience] by P Shifman.</ref>
*Japan
*Kyrgyzstan
*Mongolia
*Myanmar<ref>{{cite web|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/8/31/myanmars-president-signs-off-on-law-seen-as-targeting-muslims.html|title=Myanmar's president signs off on polygamy law seen as targeting Muslims|date=August 2015|publisher=Aljazeera}}</ref>
*North Korea<ref>{{cite journal|author=Chin Kim|title=Law of Marriage and Divorce in North Korea|volume=7|number=4|year=1973|journal=The International Lawyer|oclc=759928863|page=910}}</ref>
*South Korea
*Taiwan: Polygamy is illegal by the 1930 ROC civil law.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shs.edu.tw/works/essay/2008/03/2008032917040336.pdfSHS.edu.tw|title=民法－結婚要件之研析|publisher=}}{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
*Tajikistan
*Turkey: Polygamy was criminalized in 1926 with the adoption of the Turkish Civil Code, part of Atatürk's secularist reforms. Penalties for polygamy are imprisonment of up to 5 years.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/10/world/europe/10turkey.html "Polygamy Fosters Culture Clashes (and Regrets) in Turkey"], ''New York Times'', 10 July 2006</ref> Turkey has long been known for its promotion of [[Philosophy:Secularism|secularism]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jcpa.org/jl/vp352.htm|title="Turkey Between Secularism and Islamism" by Jacob M. Landau|publisher=}}</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6554099.stm "Turkey's secularism 'threatened'"], BBC</ref><ref>Alev Çinar, "Modernity, Islam, and Secularism in Turkey"</ref> and has introduced measures establishing stricter bars against polygamy; these were passed by the ruling moderate Islamist AK Parti as well. In March 2009, AK Parti effectively banned polygamists from entering or living in the country.<ref>[http://www.polygamy411.com/2009/05/polygamy-in-turkey "Polygamy in Turkey"], Polygamy 411, May 2009</ref>
*Turkmenistan
*Uzbekistan
*Vietnam

====Under customary law====
*Palestine<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.law.emory.edu/ifl/legal/palestine.htm#text |title=Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na'im |website=Law.emory.edu |date= |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>

====Illegal ''de jure'' but still practiced====
*Cambodia<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ethnomed.org/culture/cambodian/cambodian-marriage/ |title=Cambodian Marriage |last=Mony |first=Keo |date=5 February 2008 |website=Ethnomed |publisher= |access-date=1 January 2017 |quote=The modern constitution forbids polygamy; some say it is commonly practiced more often when family economics permit.}}</ref>
*Israel: polygamy was criminalized in 1977, but the law is not consistently enforced and polygamy is still practiced by Israeli Bedouins.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ben Zikri |first1=Almog |title=Out of Over 300 Polygamy Cases in Israel in 2018, 16 Reached Indictments |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/out-of-over-300-cases-in-2018-against-polygamy-16-reached-indictments-1.6680885 |accessdate=14 May 2019 |work=Haaretz |date=25 November 2018 |language=en}}</ref>
*Kazakhstan<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/1144507.html|title=Here Come The Brides|website=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty}}</ref>
*Laos
*Russia:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rt.com/news/russia-three-andrey-love/|title=Russians beating demographics with polygamy|date=26 July 2011|publisher=RT|accessdate=6 August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/oct/27/polygamy-study-russia-central-asia|title='Half a good man is better than none at all'|author=Mira Katbamna|date=26 October 2009|newspaper=The Guardian|accessdate=6 August 2012}}</ref> Factual polygamy and sexual relationships with several adult partners are not punishable in accordance with current{{clarify timeframe|date=July 2016}} revisions of Criminal Code of Russia and Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offenses. But multiple marriage can't be registered and officially recognised by Russian authorities because Family Code of Russia (section 14 and others) prohibits registration of marriage if one of the persons is in another registered marriage in Russia or another country. Polygamy is tolerated in predominantly Muslim republics such as Chechnya, Ingushetia, and Dagestan.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/article338474.ece |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060117043122/http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/article338474.ece|archivedate=2006-01-17 | location=London | first=Andrew | last=Osborn | title=War-ravaged Chechnya needs polygamy, says its leader| work= The Independent | date=2006-01-14}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=July 2016}}
*Thailand<ref>Chintana Yossoonthorn, Women in Thailand, Proceedings of the Peace Corps Conference on Women and Development Bangkok, 1979, p. 11.</ref>
*Timor-Leste<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.genderindex.org/sites/default/files/datasheets/TL.pdf |format=PDF |title=Timor-Leste : Discriminatory family code |website=Genderindex.org |accessdate=2017-01-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103165754/http://www.genderindex.org/sites/default/files/datasheets/TL.pdf |archive-date=3 January 2017 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

===Europe===
*Albania
*Andorra
*Armenia
*Austria
*Azerbaijan
*Belarus
*Belgium
*Bosnia and Herzegovina
*Bulgaria: Illegal and punishable with up to three years imprisonment.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.vks.bg/vks_p04_04.htm#%D0%A0%D0%B0%D0%B7%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BB%20I$ | title=Bulgarian Penal Code, art. 179 | accessdate=8 April 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420142359/http://www.vks.bg/vks_p04_04.htm#%D0%A0%D0%B0%D0%B7%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BB%20I$ | archive-date=20 April 2016 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}</ref>
*Croatia
*Cyprus
*Czech Republic
*Denmark
*Estonia
*Finland: The official prosecutor is obliged to take all cases to a court where more two persons are married to each other and such relationships cease to exist after the court has decided it.<ref>http://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1929/en19290234.pdf</ref> Polygamic marriages performed abroad may be recognized only in narrow occasions, for instance in child custody matters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.finlex.fi/fi/esitykset/he/2001/20010044|title=FINLEX ® - Hallituksen esitykset: HE 44/2001|website=www.finlex.fi}}</ref>
*France: Civil marriage registry illegal.
*Georgia
*Germany: Illegal, legally punishable with fine or prison time up to three years.<ref>{{cite web|title=§172 StGB|url=http://dejure.org/gesetze/StGB/172.html}}</ref> Polygamous marriages contracted abroad are legal, however the German authorities announced plans to close this legal loophole.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.welt.de/politik/article192948725/Polygamie-Einbuergerung-bleibt-trotz-Mehrehe-moeglich.html|title=Polygamie: Einbürgerung bleibt trotz Mehrehe möglich|last=Bewarder|first=Manuel|date=2019-05-04|access-date=2019-08-23}}</ref>
*Greece
*Hungary
*Iceland
*Ireland:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1861/act/100/enacted/en/print.html#sec57|title=Offences Against The Person Act, 1861|work=Irish Statute Book|pages=Section 57 |nopp=y|accessdate=15 June 2017}}</ref> The Catholic Church in Ireland allowed someone with a church annulment but no civil annulment to remarry in church; such a marriage was legally null and bigamous but no prosecutions were brought.<ref name="Maogoto2009"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/debateswebpack.nsf/committeetakes/JUS1995100500003#N210|title=Fifteenth Amendment of the Constitution (No. 2) Bill, 1995: Committee Stage.|last=Shatter |first=Alan|date=5 October 1995|work=Select Committee on Legislation and Security Debate|publisher=Oireachtas |quote=The State does not recognise church decrees of annulment. In effect, all marriages celebrated after a church decree of annulment are bigamous and priests celebrating these marriages are accessories before the fact to bigamy and liable to criminal prosecution. ... we have turned a blind eye to the celebration of bigamous marriages and abandoned couples who celebrate them to a legal limbo for so many years.|accessdate=15 June 2017}}</ref> The practice ended after the 1996 legalisation of divorce.<ref name="Maogoto2009">{{cite journal|last=Maogoto|first=Jackson Nyamuya|first2=Helena |last2=Anolak|year=2009|title=Legalising Divorce in the Republic of Ireland: A Canonical Harness to the Legal Liberation of the Right to Marriage Among the Disenfranchised|journal=SSRN Electronic Journal|issn=1556-5068|doi=10.2139/ssrn.1465343}}</ref> In 2017, the Supreme Court ruled that if someone had two legal marriages abroad, only the first was legal in Ireland, though 'that did not necessarily mean [the second] marriage "can never have legal consequences [in Ireland]"'.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/supreme-court/first-marriage-of-lebanese-man-with-two-wives-recognised-under-irish-law-1.3120790|title=First marriage of Lebanese man with two wives recognised under Irish law|last=Carolan|first=Mary|date=15 June 2017|work=The Irish Times|accessdate=15 June 2017}}</ref>
*Italy
*Kosovo
*Latvia
*Liechtenstein
*Lithuania
*Luxembourg
*Macedonia
*Malta
*Moldova
*Monaco
*Montenegro
*Netherlands: Marriage between more than two individuals prohibited; however, a [[Finance:Samenlevingscontract|samenlevingscontract]] may include more than two partners. It legally accepts immigrants who are in such a union from a country where it is legal; e.g. if a man with two wives immigrates to The Netherlands, all three will be legally recognized.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Geysegom|title=Samenlevingscontracten 1997: focus op het buurtniveauPretekst,|date=1997|issue=12|pages=17–19}}</ref>
*Norway
*Poland
*Portugal
*Romania: Bigamy, defined as marriage conducted by a person which is already married, is punishable by up to 2 years in prison or fine. Knowingly marrying a married person is punishable by up to 1 year in prison or by fine.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://lege5.ro/Gratuit/gezdmnrzgi/codul-penal-din-2009?pid=135200274&d=2009-07-24#p-135200274 | title=Romanian Penal Code, art. 376 | accessdate=5 February 2015}}</ref>
*Russian Federation
*San Marino
*Serbia
*Slovakia
*Slovenia
*Spain
*Sweden: Sweden recognizes polygamous marriages performed abroad, and all spouses are subsequently registered as spouses in the population register, but other spouses than the first spouse may not always be recognized in all occasions.<ref name="SvD"/><ref name="Aftonbladet"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.exponerat.net/tillatet-for-man-att-ha-flera-fruar/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=15 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119145940/http://www.exponerat.net/tillatet-for-man-att-ha-flera-fruar/ |archive-date=19 January 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Only the first spouse is recognized as a spouse when decisions are made on residence permits and social security.<ref name="SvD">[http://www.svd.se/manggifte-godkanns--ibland Svenska Dagbladet: ''Månggifte godkänns – ibland''] (accessed 15 January 2016)</ref> A Swede may have four spouses registered at most.<ref name="Aftonbladet">[http://www.aftonbladet.se/wendela/article10208987.ab Aftonbladet: ''Jodå – månggifte ÄR tillåtet i Sverige''] (accessed 15 January 2016)</ref>
*Switzerland: Polygamy is illegal by law. But polygamous marriage conducted in another country may be accepted or rejected on a case-by-case basis.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rwi.uzh.ch/oe/cimels/Eheschliessungen_im_Ausland.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=15 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304031944/http://www.rwi.uzh.ch/oe/cimels/Eheschliessungen_im_Ausland.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*Ukraine
*United Kingdom: Foreign polygamous marriages grant some welfare benefits only, but this is being phased out with the introduction of Universal Credit.<ref name=UKPOLY /> Polygamy is treated as bigamy if a second marriage (or civil partnership) is contracted in the United Kingdom.  No legal recognition is extended to spouses of subsequent marriages after the first marriage is recognised even when subsequent marriages are contracted abroad.
*Vatican City (Holy See)

===Oceania===
*Australia: Polygamous marriages cannot be performed in Australia, but polygamous relationships are still common within some indigenous Australian communities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.alrc.gov.au/publications/12.%20Aboriginal%20Marriages%20and%20Family%20Structures/marriages-aboriginal-societies-today  |title=Aboriginal Marriages and Family Structures |work=Australian Law Reform Commission|accessdate=20 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/insight/tvepisode/polygamy  |title=How common is polygamy in Australia? And how does it work? |date=29 May 2012|work=SBS|accessdate=20 October 2017}}</ref> Polygamous marriages entered into abroad are recognised for limited purposes{{which|date=February 2017}} only.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/fla1975114/s6.html|title=FAMILY LAW ACT 1975 - SECT 6 Polygamous marriages|website=www.austlii.edu.au}}</ref>
*Fiji
*Kiribati
*Marshall Islands
*Micronesia
*Nauru
*New Zealand: Polygamous marriages cannot be performed in New Zealand, but are permissible if they are legally performed in a country that permits polygamy.
*Palau
*Papua New Guinea
*Samoa
*Tonga
*Tuvalu
*Vanuatu

==Current legislation==
In most countries, a person who marries a person while still being lawfully married to another commits bigamy, a criminal offence, though penalties vary between jurisdictions. In addition, the second and subsequent marriages are considered legally null and [[Social:Void marriage|void]].

The United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand permit some benefits for spouses of polygamous marriages performed abroad. On a case-by-case basis, Sweden recognizes polygamous marriages performed abroad but without giving residence or social security rights to other spouses.<ref name="SvD"/><ref name="Aftonbladet"/> In Switzerland polygamous marriages conducted abroad may be accepted or rejected on a case-by-case basis;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rwi.uzh.ch/oe/cimels/Eheschliessungen_im_Ausland.pdf |format=PDF |title=Eheschliessungen im Ausland |website=Rwi.uzh.ch |accessdate=2017-01-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304031944/http://www.rwi.uzh.ch/oe/cimels/Eheschliessungen_im_Ausland.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> see § Europe. In the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, which allows simultaneous, additional marital rights and obligations for already married persons, prior to married persons becoming [[Social:Divorce|divorce]]d from their existing spouse.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://stoppolygamyincanada.wordpress.com/2011/01/05/the-problem-of-relationship-overlap-in-saskatchewan/ |title=The Problem of "relationship overlap" in Saskatchewan|date=5 January 2011|publisher=}}</ref>

The vast majority of Muslim majority sovereign states recognize polygamous marriages: these states span from West Africa to Southeast Asia, with exceptions of Israel, Turkey and Tunisia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.law.emory.edu/ifl/legal/tunisia.htm |title=Tunisia: Notable Features: Polygamy |publisher=Law.emory.edu |date= |accessdate=21 October 2010}}</ref> The Palestinian territories — consisting of West Bank and Gaza Strip — permit polygamous unions for [[Religion:Muslim|Muslim]] citizens of the territories.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.law.emory.edu/ifl/legal/palestine.htm#text |title=Palestinian Marriage Laws |publisher=Law.emory.edu |date= |accessdate=21 October 2010}}</ref>

Predominantly Christian nations usually do not allow polygamy, with a handful of exceptions such as the Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and Zambia.

Almost a dozen countries that do not permit polygamous civil marriages recognize polygamous marriages under customary law. All the northern states in Nigeria governed by Islamic Sharia law recognize polygamous marriages. The autonomous regions of Somaliland and Puntland in northern Somalia also recognize polygamy, as does the country's Transitional Federal Government itself, since the country is governed by Sharia law. The recently independent country of Southern Sudan also recognizes polygamy.

Polyandry is ''de facto'' the norm in rural areas of [[Place:Tibet|Tibet]], although it is illegal under Chinese [[Social:Family law|family law]]. Polygamy continues in Bhutan<ref name="French"/> in various forms as it has since ancient times.  It is also found in parts of Nepal,<ref name="Grabianowski">{{cite web|last=Grabianowski |first=Ed |url=http://people.howstuffworks.com/polygamy.htm |title=How Polygamy Works |publisher=People.howstuffworks.com |date= |accessdate=21 October 2010}}</ref> despite its formal illegality in the country.<ref name="Boloji.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.boloji.com/wfs2/wfs297.htm |title=Multiple Damage of Polygamy by Saktida |publisher=Boloji.com |date=31 October 2004 |accessdate=21 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100131054400/http://boloji.com/wfs2/wfs297.htm |archive-date=31 January 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Debates of legalizing polygamous marriages continue in Central Asian countries.{{citation needed|date=February 2015}}

===Civil unions===
'''Brazil''' – A legally married person or a married couple cohabiting with one or more sexual partner(s) is prohibited by law as bigamy, which is punishable by two to six years of imprisonment,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/decreto-lei/Del2848compilado.htm|title=DEL2848compilado|website=www.planalto.gov.br|access-date=21 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313000246/http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/decreto-lei/Del2848compilado.htm|archive-date=13 March 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and is valid for every Brazilian citizen, including naturalized ones.

In 5 May 2011 long-term cohabitation between non-married persons, known as {{lang|pt|união estável}} ("stable union"), was extended to same-sex couples, recognized as a family entity and granted all 112 rights of married couples – its only legal difference from marriage is that it does not change individual civil status from single to married.{{citation needed|date=September 2017}}

One of such {{lang|pt|uniões estáveis}}, in Tupã, São Paulo, was registered involving a man and two women, as reported in August 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Three-person civil union sparks controversy in Brazil|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-19402508|publisher=BBC}}</ref> A second {{lang|pt|união estável}}-bound trio took place in the city of Rio de Janeiro, this time between three women, in October 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rio registra primeira união entre 3 mulheres|trans-title=Rio registers its first 3 women union|url=http://jconline.ne10.uol.com.br/canal/cidades/geral/noticia/2015/10/17/rio-registra-primeira-uniao-entre-3-mulheres-204110.php|publisher=Jornal do Commercio|date=17 October 2015|accessdate=18 October 2015|language=pt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018152233/http://jconline.ne10.uol.com.br/canal/cidades/geral/noticia/2015/10/17/rio-registra-primeira-uniao-entre-3-mulheres-204110.php|archive-date=18 October 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Rio registra primeira união estável realizada entre três mulheres|trans-title=Rio registers the first união estável realized by three women|url=http://brasil.estadao.com.br/noticias/rio-de-janeiro,rio-registra-primeira-uniao-estavel-entre-3-mulheres,1781538|newspaper=O Estado de S. Paulo|date=18 October 2015 | accessdate=18 October 2015|language=pt}}</ref>

===International law===
In 2000, the United Nations Human Rights Committee reported that polygamy violates the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), citing concerns that the lack of "equality of treatment with regard to the right to marry" meant that polygamy, restricted to polygyny in practice, violates the dignity of women and should be outlawed.<ref>
{{cite web |title=Equality of Rights Between Men and Women |url=http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/gencomm/hrcom28.htm |publisher=University of Minnesota Human Rights Library}}</ref>  Specifically, the reports to UN Committees have noted violations of the ICCPR due to these inequalities<ref>{{cite web |title=OHCHR report |url=http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrc/docs/ngos/IHRLS_Chad_95.pdf |publisher=Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights}}</ref> and reports to the General Assembly of the UN have recommended it be outlawed.<ref>{{cite web |title=Report of the Human Rights Committee |url=http://www.ccprcentre.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/A_63_40_Vol.I_E.pdf |publisher=United Nations General Assembly}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=GENERAL COMMENTS ADOPTED BY THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE UNDER ARTICLE 40, PARAGRAPH 4, OF THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS |url=http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/13b02776122d4838802568b900360e80 |publisher=United Nations Human Rights Website |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630225551/http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/13b02776122d4838802568b900360e80 |archivedate=30 June 2013 }}</ref>

Some countries where polygamy is legal are not signatories of ICCPR, including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Malaysia, Brunei and South Sudan; so that ICCPR does not apply to these countries.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=IND&mtdsg_no=IV-4&chapter=4&lang=en |title=United Nations Treaty Collection|publisher=}}</ref> It has been argued by the Department of Justice of Canada that polygyny is a violation of international human rights law.<ref>{{cite web |title=POLYGYNY AS A VIOLATION OF INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW |url=http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/other-autre/poly/chap3.html |publisher=Department of Justice, Government of Canada}}</ref>

== Notable legislation ==
The tables below cover recent pieces of legislation that have been either debated, proposed or voted on; all of which concern a form of polygamous union.

===To permit polygamy===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! rowspan=2 | Country
! rowspan=2 | Date
! rowspan=2 | Polygamous union
! colspan=2 | Upper House
! colspan=2 | Lower House
! rowspan=2 | Head of State
! rowspan=2 | Final<br/>outcome
|-
! Yes
! No
! Yes
! No
|-
| {{Flag icon|Iraq|1963}} Iraq
| 1963
| Polygamous civil marriage (revoke of prohibitions)<ref name="thejakartapost2007">{{cite news|url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2007/01/12/restricting-or-banning-polygamy-human-rights-values-must-stand.html |title=Restricting or banning polygamy, human rights values must stand |newspaper=The Jakarta Post |accessdate=1 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607114419/http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2007/01/12/restricting-or-banning-polygamy-human-rights-values-must-stand.html |archivedate= 7 June 2011 }}</ref>
|  colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| ''Signed''
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]&nbsp;Yes
|-
| {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} United Kingdom
| 1987 or earlier
| Foreign marriages may receive benefits payments, being phased out<ref name=UKPOLY>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/briefing-papers/sn05051.pdf|title=House of Commons Library Briefing Note: Polygamy|publisher=House of Commons Library|date=12 October 2011}}</ref>
|  colspan=2 |
|
|
|
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Malawi|1964}} Malawi
| 1994
| Customary law (recognizes polygamous unions)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://siteresources.worldbank.org/EXTAFRREGTOPGENDER/Resources/MalawiSCGA.pdf |format=PDF |title=MALAWI : Strategic Country Gender Assessment |website=Siteresources.worldbank.org |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
|  colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| ''Signed''
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]&nbsp;Yes
|-
| {{flagicon|Libya|1977}} Libya
| 1998
| Polygamous civil marriage <ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/285866.stm |title=Middle East &#124; Gadaffi outrage over polygamy bill |work=BBC News |date=25 February 1999 |accessdate=1 October 2010}}</ref>
|  colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| ''Signed''
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]&nbsp;Yes
|-
| {{flagicon|South Africa}} South Africa
| 1998
| Customary marriage (civil recognition)<ref>{{cite news |title=Customary marriages now legal |newspaper=News24 |agency=SAPA |date=15 November 2000 |url=http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Customary-marriages-now-legal-20001115 |accessdate=23 June 2013}}</ref>
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| ''Signed''
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]&nbsp;Yes
|-
| {{flagicon|Namibia}} Namibia
| 2003
| Customary law (recognizes polygamous unions)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lac.org.na/projects/grap/Pdf/custmar2003.pdf |title=Microsoft Word – news03.2-customary marriage.doc |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=1 October 2010}}</ref>
|  colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| ''Signed''
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]&nbsp;Yes
|-
| {{flagicon|Namibia}} Namibia
| 2004
| Pension benefits to wives of a deceased president<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lac.org.na/news/inthenews/pdf/poligamy.pdf |format=PDF |title=Polygamy- To share or not to share? That is the Question |website=Lac.org.na |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
|  colspan=2 | ''-''
| colspan=2 | ''Failed''
| ''-''
| [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]&nbsp;No
|-
| {{flagicon|Uganda}} Uganda
| 2005
| Polygamous civil marriage (easing of laws; plus restrictions)
|  colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| ''Signed''
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]&nbsp;Yes
|-
| {{Flag icon|Kyrgyzstan}} Kyrgyzstan
| 2007
| Polygamous civil marriage<ref name="rferl1">{{cite web|last=Pannier |first=Bruce |url=http://www.rferl.org/content/Article/1075173.html |title=Kyrgyzstan: Debate On Legalized Polygamy Continues – Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty © 2010 |publisher=Rferl.org |date=9 March 2007 |accessdate=1 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090726054228/http://www.rferl.org/content/Article/1075173.html |archivedate=26 July 2009 }}</ref>
|  colspan=2 | ''Failed''
| -
| -
| -
| [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]&nbsp;No
|-
| {{flagicon|Kazakhstan}} Kazakhstan
| 2007
| Polygamous civil marriage<ref name="rferl1"/>
|  colspan=2 | ''Failed''
| -
| -
| -
| [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]&nbsp;No
|-
| {{Flag icon|Uzbekistan}} Uzbekistan
| 2007
| Polygamous civil marriage
|  colspan=2 | ''Failed''
| -
| -
| -
| [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]&nbsp;No
|-
| {{Flag icon|Tajikistan}} Tajikistan
| 2007
| Polygamous civil marriage
|  colspan=2 | ''Failed''
| -
| -
| -
| [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]&nbsp;No
|-
| {{Flag icon|Turkmenistan}} Turkmenistan
| 2007
| Polygamous civil marriage
|  colspan=2 | ''Failed''
| -
| -
| -
| [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]&nbsp;No
|-
| {{flagicon|Kazakhstan}} Kazakhstan
| June 2008
| Polygamous civil marriage<ref>{{cite web|author=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |url=http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/publisher,RFERL,,KAZ,4844c1e7c,0.html |title=Refworld &#124; Central Asia: Kazakhstan debates polygamy amid regional rise in popularity |publisher=UNHCR |date=28 May 2008 |accessdate=1 October 2010}}</ref>
|  colspan=2 | ''Failed''
| -
| -
| -
| [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]&nbsp;No
|-
| {{Flag icon|Iran}} Iran
| September 2008
| Polygamous civil marriage (easing of laws)<ref>{{cite news|last=Sykes |first=Hugh |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7594997.stm |title=Middle East &#124; Iran rejects easing polygamy law |work=BBC News |date=2 September 2008 |accessdate=1 October 2010}}</ref>
|  colspan=2 | ''Failed''
| -
| -
| -
| [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]&nbsp;No
|-
| {{flagicon|Namibia}} Namibia
| July 2009
| Polygamous civil marriage<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blogcatalog.com/blog/onelove-southern-africa/c1483783b4b34ec42e61016bfa005a02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723055704/http://www.blogcatalog.com/blog/onelove-southern-africa/c1483783b4b34ec42e61016bfa005a02 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-07-23 |title=OneLove Southern Africa Latest Posts / Blog Profile |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
| colspan=2 | ''Proposed''
| -
| -
| -
| -
|-
| {{flagicon|Russia}} Russia
| 2009
| Polygamous civil marriage
| colspan=2 | ''Proposed''
| -
| -
| -
| -
|-
| {{flagicon|Kenya}} Kenya
| March 2014
| Polygamous civil marriage
|colspan=2 | ''Passed''<ref name=KENYA />
| -
| -
| -
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]&nbsp;Yes
|}

=== To outlaw polygamy ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! rowspan=2 | Country
! rowspan=2 | Date
! rowspan=2 | Prohibition type
! colspan=2 | Upper House
! colspan=2 | Lower House
! rowspan=2 | Head of State
! rowspan=2 | Final<br/>outcome
|-
! Yes
! No
! Yes
! No
|-
| {{flagicon|United States|1861}} United States
| July 1862
| Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act, which made polygamy a [[Social:Misdemeanor|misdemeanor]] offense in US territories and other areas where the federal government has exclusive jurisdiction.
|  colspan=2 | '
| colspan=2 | '
| ''Signed''
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]&nbsp;Yes
|-
| {{flagicon|United States|1877}} United States
| March 1882
| Edmunds Act, which reinforced Morrill by making polygamy a felony in the jurisdictions covered by Morrill; also prohibited "bigamous" or "unlawful cohabitation" as a misdemeanor offense, which removed the need to prove that actual marriages had occurred in order to obtain convictions on polygamy related charges.
|  colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| ''Signed''
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]&nbsp;Yes
|-
| [[File:Flag of Turkestan ASSR (1919-1921).svg|25px]] Turkestan ASSR (modern Kyrgyzstan)
| October 1921
| Outlaws polygamy<ref>{{cite web|author=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |url=http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/refworld/rwmain?page=search&amp;docid=3ae6a60910&amp;skip=0&amp;query=polygamy |title=Refworld &#124; Kyrgyzstan. Political Conditions in the Post-Soviet Era |publisher=UNHCR |date= |accessdate=1 October 2010}}</ref>
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| ''Signed''
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]&nbsp;Yes
|-
| {{flagicon|Thailand}} Thailand
| October 1935
| Outlaws polygamy; polygamous marriage<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thailawforum.com/articles/familywimol2.html#f15 |title=Thailand Law Forum: Family Law of Thailand |publisher=Thailawforum.com |date=1 October 1935 |accessdate=1 October 2010}}</ref>
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| ''Signed''
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]&nbsp;Yes
|-
| {{flagicon|Vietnam}} North Vietnam (modern Vietnam)
| October 1950
| Outlaws polygamy
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| ''Signed''
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]&nbsp;Yes
|-
| {{Flag icon|Syria|1932}} Syria
| 1953
| Restrictions on polygamous marriage<ref name="thejakartapost2007"/>
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| ''Signed''
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]&nbsp;Yes
|-
| {{flagicon|India}} India
| 1955
| Outlaws polygamy and polygamous marriages for Hindus only<ref>{{cite web|author=V.Jayaram |url=http://www.hinduwebsite.com/hinduism/h_polygamy.asp |title=Hinduism and Polygamy |publisher=Hinduwebsite.com |date=9 January 2007 |accessdate=1 October 2010}}</ref>
|  colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| ''Signed''
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]&nbsp;Yes
|-
| {{flagicon|Tunisia}} Tunisia
| 1956
| Ban on polygamy; polygamous marriages<ref name="resetdoc1">{{cite web |url=http://www.resetdoc.org/EN/Polygamy-family-law.php |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130415185928/http://www.resetdoc.org/EN/Polygamy-family-law.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 April 2013 |title=Women: Polygamy and Family Law – Valentina M. Donini &#124; Reset Dialogues on Civilizations |publisher=Resetdoc.org |accessdate=1 October 2010 }}</ref>
|  colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| ''Signed''
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]&nbsp;Yes
|-
| {{Flag icon|Iraq|1959}} Iraq
| 1959
| Ban on polygamy; polygamous marriage<ref name="thejakartapost2007"/>
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| ''Signed''
| [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]&nbsp;Revoked
|-
| {{flagicon|Côte d'Ivoire}} Côte d'Ivoire
| 1964
| New penal code outlaws polygamy; polygamous marriages (upholds existing)
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| ''Signed''
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]&nbsp;Yes
|-
| {{Flag icon|Hong Kong|1959}} British Hong Kong (modern [[Place:Hong Kong|Hong Kong]])
| 1971
| Outlaws polygamy<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.hu-berlin.de/sexology/IES/hongkong.html#2 |title=The International Encyclopedia of Sexuality: Hong Kong |publisher=.hu-berlin.de |date=30 June 1997 |accessdate=1 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061105131143/http://www2.hu-berlin.de/sexology/IES/hongkong.html#2 |archivedate=5 November 2006 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| ''Signed''
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]&nbsp;Yes
|-
| [[File:Flag of the EPLF.svg|25px]] Eritrean People's Liberation Front (modern Eritrea)
| 1977
| Outlaws polygamy; polygamous marriage (districts under Sharia exempt)<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100603010111/http://www.omct.org/pdf/VAW/Publications/2003/Eng_2003_05_Eritrea.pdf ]</ref>
|  colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| ''Signed''
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]&nbsp;Yes
|-
| {{flagicon|Egypt|1972}} Egypt
| 1979
| Restrictions on polygamous marriage; ease of divorce laws<ref name="resetdoc1"/>
|  colspan=2 | ''Passed; abrogated''
| -
| -
| -
| [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]&nbsp;No
|-
| {{flagicon|Egypt|1984}} Egypt
| 1985
| Restrictions on polygamous marriage (less liberal)<ref name="resetdoc1"/>
|  colspan=2 | ''Passed''
|  colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| ''Signed''
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]&nbsp;Yes
|-
| {{flagicon|France}} France
| 1993
| Outlaws family reunion for polygamist immigrants<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/thousands-of-families-in-despair-as-france-enforces-ban-on-polygamy-689622.html |title=Thousands of families in despair as France enforces ban on polygamy – Europe, World |work=The Independent |date=1 April 2001 |accessdate=1 October 2010 | location=London | first=Adrian | last=Pennink}}</ref>
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| ''Signed''
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]&nbsp;Yes
|-
| {{flagicon|Uganda}} Uganda
| {{nowrap|December 2003}}
| Outlaws polygamy<ref name="unhcr1">{{cite web|author=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |url=http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,IRBC,,UGA,456d621e2,49b92b20c,0.html |title=Refworld &#124; Uganda: Domestic violence, including legislation, statistics and attitudes toward domestic violence; the availability of protection and support services |publisher=UNHCR |date= |accessdate=1 October 2010}}</ref>
| colspan=2 | ''Failed''
| colspan=2 | ''-''
| ''-''
| [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]&nbsp;No
|-
| {{flagicon|Morocco}} Morocco
| 2003
| Restrictions on polygamous marriage<ref name="resetdoc1"/>
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| ''Signed''
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]&nbsp;Yes
|-
| {{flagicon|Benin}} Benin
| August 2004
| New penal code outlaws polygamy; polygamous marriages (upholds existing)<ref>{{cite web|author=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |url=http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/refworld/rwmain?page=search&amp;docid=4885cfba0&amp;skip=0&amp;query=polygamy |title=Refworld &#124; Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under articles 16 and 17 of the Covenant : concluding observations of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights : Benin |publisher=UNHCR |date= |accessdate=1 October 2010}}</ref>
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| ''Signed''
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]&nbsp;Yes
|-
| {{flagicon|Morocco}} Morocco
| February 2005
| Restrictions on polygamous marriage (heavy restrictions)<ref>{{cite web|author=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |url=http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/refworld/rwmain?page=search&amp;docid=429b27eca&amp;skip=0&amp;query=polygamy |title=Refworld &#124; Amnesty International Report 2005 – Morocco/Western Sahara |publisher=UNHCR |date= |accessdate=1 October 2010}}</ref>
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| ''Signed''
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]&nbsp;Yes
|-
| {{flagicon|Uganda}} Uganda
| July 2005
| Outlaws polygamy<ref>{{cite web|author=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |url=http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/refworld/rwmain?page=search&amp;docid=439467214&amp;skip=0&amp;query=polygamy |title=Refworld &#124; Violence Against Women in Northern Uganda |publisher=UNHCR |date=17 July 2005 |accessdate=1 October 2010}}</ref>
| colspan=2 | ''Failed''
| colspan=2 | ''-''
| ''-''
| [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]&nbsp;No
|-
| {{flagicon|Indonesia}} Indonesia
| 2007
| Bans civil servants from living polygamously<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200612/06/eng20061206_329258.html |title=People's Daily Online – Planned polygamy ban stirs debate in Indonesia |publisher=English.peopledaily.com.cn |date=6 December 2006 |accessdate=1 October 2010}}</ref>
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| ''Signed''
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]&nbsp;Yes
|-
| {{flagicon|Morocco}} Morocco
| May 2008
| Restrictions on polygamous marriage (heavy restrictions){{Citation needed|date=August 2013}}
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| ''Signed''
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]&nbsp;Yes
|-
| {{flagicon|Uganda}} Uganda
| June 2008
| Outlaws polygamy<ref name="unhcr1"/>
| colspan=2 | ''Failed''
| colspan=2 | ''-''
| ''-''
| [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]&nbsp;No
|-
| {{flagicon|Kurdistan}} Iraqi Kurdistan
| Nov. 2008
| Outlaws polygamy except in selective circumstances<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1226331242817&pagename=Zone-English-News/NWELayout |title=Polygamy Law Irks Iraq Kurds - ارشيف اسلام اونلاين |website=Islamonline.net |date=2009-03-02 |accessdate=2017-01-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081112180008/http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1226331242817&pagename=Zone-English-News%2FNWELayout |archive-date=12 November 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| colspan=2 | ''Passed''
| ''Signed''
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]&nbsp;Yes
|-
| {{flagicon|Mayotte|local}} Mayotte
| March 2009
| [[Social:2009 Mahoran status referendum|2009 Mahoran status referendum]] (passage outlaws polygamy)<ref>{{cite news|author=Angelique Chrisafis in Paris |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/mar/26/mayote-referendum-polygamy-islam |title=Tiny island of the Indian Ocean keen to embrace French rule – 34 years after gaining independence &#124; World news |work=The Guardian |date= 26 March 2009|accessdate=1 October 2010 | location=London}}</ref>
| colspan=5 | ''Territory-wide referendum''
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]&nbsp;Yes
|-
| {{Flag icon|Turkey}} Turkey
| May 2009
| Disallows polygamists from immigrating into the country<ref>{{cite web|url=http://polygamy411.com/2009/05/08/polygamy-in-turkey/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309031524/http://polygamy411.com/2009/05/08/polygamy-in-turkey/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-03-09 |title=Polygamy in Turkey - Polygamy 411 |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>{{failed verification|Doesn't say they are banned from immigrating, simply says they can't marry another spouse in Turkey|date=November 2015}}
| colspan=2 |
| colspan=2 |
|
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]&nbsp;Yes
|-
| {{flagicon|Indonesia}} Indonesia
| July 2009
| Restrictions on polygamous marriage<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1235628782541&pagename=Zone-English-News/NWELayout |title=Indonesia Tightens Polygamy Rules - ارشيف اسلام اونلاين |website=Islamonline.net |date=2009-03-09 |accessdate=2017-01-06}}</ref>
| colspan=2 | ''Pending''
| colspan=2 | ''Pending''
| ''-''
| ''-''
|-
| {{flagicon|Namibia}} Namibia
| July 2009
| Ban on polygamy and polygamous customary marriages
| colspan=2 | ''Proposed''
| ''-''
| ''-''
| ''-''
| ''-''
|}

==See also==
* [[Religion:Polygamy|Polygamy]]
* List of polygamy court cases

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group="Note"|2}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Legal Status Of Polygamy}}
[[Category:Marriage law]]

{{Sourceattribution|Legality of polygamy|1}}