GITNUXREPORT 2025

Same-Sex Marriage Statistics

Global support for same-sex marriage continues to grow worldwide.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

In the United States, over 1 million same-sex marriages have been performed since legalization in 2015

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The median age of individuals supporting same-sex marriage globally is approximately 39 years

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The number of same-sex couples living together increased by 20% globally between 2010 and 2020, according to UN data

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The global average age of marriage for same-sex couples is approximately 29 years old, according to UN data

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Data indicates that 80% of same-sex marriages in the US are between couples aged 25-44, highlighting a young adult demographic

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The economic impact of legalizing same-sex marriage in the US is estimated at over $3 billion annually in wedding-related spending

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Data shows that countries with legalized same-sex marriage experience increased tourism revenue

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Economic analyses find that legalizing same-sex marriage increases GDP growth due to wedding-related activities, with estimates around 0.2% annually in the US

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The global financial investment into LGBTQ+ rights and related businesses surpassed $4 billion annually in recent years, highlighting economic support

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Over 150 million people worldwide live in countries where same-sex marriage is legal, representing roughly 2% of the global population

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As of 2023, over 32 countries and territories have legalized same-sex marriage

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The first country to legalize same-sex marriage was the Netherlands in 2001

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The legalization of same-sex marriage correlates with a significant decrease in mental health issues among LGBTQ+ populations

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In 2023, 57% of the world's population lives in countries where same-sex marriage is illegal

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South Africa is the only country in Africa where same-sex marriage is legal, since 2006

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Same-sex marriage legalization has been linked to a 12% decrease in anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes in countries where it has been enacted

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In Mexico, same-sex marriage is legal in 19 states, with nationwide legalization in 2022

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The number of court cases involving discrimination against same-sex couples decreased by 15% after the legalization of same-sex marriage, according to legal reports

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Countries that recognize same-sex marriage tend to have lower suicide rates among LGBTQ+ youth, with reductions up to 20%

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Countries with the highest percentage of residents supporting same-sex marriage include Sweden (83%) and Spain (79%)

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According to a 2022 Gallup poll, 70% of Americans support same-sex marriage

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Studies show that children of same-sex parents fare as well academically and socially as those of heterosexual parents

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Support for same-sex marriage has increased by over 20% globally since 2000

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In Ireland, the first country to legalize same-sex marriage by popular vote in 2015, 62% voted in favor

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France officially legalized same-sex marriage in 2013, with a public support rate of around 65% at the time

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In the UK, over 60% of the population supports same-sex marriage according to recent surveys

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In Australia, public support for same-sex marriage reached 65% in 2017, leading to legalization in 2017

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In Canada, more than 72% of Canadians support same-sex marriage, and it has been legal nationwide since 2005

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According to a Pew Research Center survey, support for same-sex marriage is highest among young adults aged 18-29, at about 83%

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In Germany, public support for same-sex marriage increased from 58% in 2017 to 76% in 2020, leading to legalization in 2017

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Support for same-sex marriage among religious groups varies, with approximately 60% of liberal Protestants supporting it, compared to 30% of conservative groups

Statistic 32

In Israel, same-sex marriage is not legalized nationally but some forms of legal recognition exist, and support is rising, achieving around 50% support among the public in 2022

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Public support for same-sex marriage in Japan increased from 50% in 2015 to over 70% in 2022, leading to local recognition in several cities

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In New Zealand, support for same-sex marriage exceeds 70%, and it was legalized in 2013

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In Argentina, support for same-sex marriage reached 76% in 2010, making it one of the first Latin American countries to legalize it in 2010

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The legalization of same-sex marriage in Taiwan in 2019 made it the first country in Asia to do so, with support reaching 60%

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Nearly 60% of Americans aged 18-29 support same-sex marriage, according to Pew Research Center

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In 2023, 37% of respondents in a global survey believe that same-sex marriage should be legal everywhere, up from 25% in 2015

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Norway, Sweden, and Denmark are among the Nordic countries with the highest levels of support, exceeding 80%

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In Belgium, 76% of people support same-sex marriage according to recent surveys, and it has been legal since 2003

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The rate of marriage equality support among Generation Z is approximately 85%, the highest of all generations

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In 2021, support for same-sex marriage in Indonesia was around 30%, with significant growth since 2010, where it was less than 10%

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According to a 2019 Gallup poll, 69% of Americans support same-sex marriage, showing a steady increase over the decade

Statistic 44

In Chile, support for same-sex marriage increased from 45% in 2012 to 68% in 2021, leading to recent legalization efforts

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Key Highlights

As of 2023, over 32 countries and territories have legalized same-sex marriage
In the United States, over 1 million same-sex marriages have been performed since legalization in 2015
Countries with the highest percentage of residents supporting same-sex marriage include Sweden (83%) and Spain (79%)
The first country to legalize same-sex marriage was the Netherlands in 2001
According to a 2022 Gallup poll, 70% of Americans support same-sex marriage
The legalization of same-sex marriage correlates with a significant decrease in mental health issues among LGBTQ+ populations
Studies show that children of same-sex parents fare as well academically and socially as those of heterosexual parents
In 2023, 57% of the world's population lives in countries where same-sex marriage is illegal
Support for same-sex marriage has increased by over 20% globally since 2000
In Ireland, the first country to legalize same-sex marriage by popular vote in 2015, 62% voted in favor
The median age of individuals supporting same-sex marriage globally is approximately 39 years
France officially legalized same-sex marriage in 2013, with a public support rate of around 65% at the time
In the UK, over 60% of the population supports same-sex marriage according to recent surveys

From groundbreaking legal victories to soaring global support—over 32 countries and territories have embraced same-sex marriage by 2023, reshaping social norms and heralding a new era of equality worldwide.

Demographic and Cultural Trends

In the United States, over 1 million same-sex marriages have been performed since legalization in 2015
The median age of individuals supporting same-sex marriage globally is approximately 39 years
The number of same-sex couples living together increased by 20% globally between 2010 and 2020, according to UN data
The global average age of marriage for same-sex couples is approximately 29 years old, according to UN data
Data indicates that 80% of same-sex marriages in the US are between couples aged 25-44, highlighting a young adult demographic

Demographic and Cultural Trends Interpretation

With over a million legally recognized same-sex marriages since 2015 and a global shift toward young adult couples—averaging around 29 years old—the data paints a picture of a steadily aging but increasingly mainstream movement that’s redefining the institution of marriage worldwide.

Economic and Social Impact

The economic impact of legalizing same-sex marriage in the US is estimated at over $3 billion annually in wedding-related spending
Data shows that countries with legalized same-sex marriage experience increased tourism revenue
Economic analyses find that legalizing same-sex marriage increases GDP growth due to wedding-related activities, with estimates around 0.2% annually in the US
The global financial investment into LGBTQ+ rights and related businesses surpassed $4 billion annually in recent years, highlighting economic support

Economic and Social Impact Interpretation

Legalizing same-sex marriage is not only a matter of equality but also an economic game changer, injecting billions into markets, boosting tourism, and catalyzing GDP growth—proving that love and dollars make a powerful partnership.

Global and Regional Comparisons

Over 150 million people worldwide live in countries where same-sex marriage is legal, representing roughly 2% of the global population

Global and Regional Comparisons Interpretation

While only 2% of the world’s population resides in countries permitting same-sex marriage—highlighting both progress and the road ahead—this figure underscores a significant societal shift towards recognizing love and equality across borders.

Legalization and Legislation

As of 2023, over 32 countries and territories have legalized same-sex marriage
The first country to legalize same-sex marriage was the Netherlands in 2001
The legalization of same-sex marriage correlates with a significant decrease in mental health issues among LGBTQ+ populations
In 2023, 57% of the world's population lives in countries where same-sex marriage is illegal
South Africa is the only country in Africa where same-sex marriage is legal, since 2006
Same-sex marriage legalization has been linked to a 12% decrease in anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes in countries where it has been enacted
In Mexico, same-sex marriage is legal in 19 states, with nationwide legalization in 2022
The number of court cases involving discrimination against same-sex couples decreased by 15% after the legalization of same-sex marriage, according to legal reports
Countries that recognize same-sex marriage tend to have lower suicide rates among LGBTQ+ youth, with reductions up to 20%

Legalization and Legislation Interpretation

While over 32 countries have embraced marriage equality since 2001, the fact that 57% of the world's population still lives in nations where such love remains illegal highlights that, despite promising progress reducing hate crimes and mental health struggles, the global journey toward full LGBTQ+ acceptance is far from over.

Public Support and Attitudes

Countries with the highest percentage of residents supporting same-sex marriage include Sweden (83%) and Spain (79%)
According to a 2022 Gallup poll, 70% of Americans support same-sex marriage
Studies show that children of same-sex parents fare as well academically and socially as those of heterosexual parents
Support for same-sex marriage has increased by over 20% globally since 2000
In Ireland, the first country to legalize same-sex marriage by popular vote in 2015, 62% voted in favor
France officially legalized same-sex marriage in 2013, with a public support rate of around 65% at the time
In the UK, over 60% of the population supports same-sex marriage according to recent surveys
In Australia, public support for same-sex marriage reached 65% in 2017, leading to legalization in 2017
In Canada, more than 72% of Canadians support same-sex marriage, and it has been legal nationwide since 2005
According to a Pew Research Center survey, support for same-sex marriage is highest among young adults aged 18-29, at about 83%
In Germany, public support for same-sex marriage increased from 58% in 2017 to 76% in 2020, leading to legalization in 2017
Support for same-sex marriage among religious groups varies, with approximately 60% of liberal Protestants supporting it, compared to 30% of conservative groups
In Israel, same-sex marriage is not legalized nationally but some forms of legal recognition exist, and support is rising, achieving around 50% support among the public in 2022
Public support for same-sex marriage in Japan increased from 50% in 2015 to over 70% in 2022, leading to local recognition in several cities
In New Zealand, support for same-sex marriage exceeds 70%, and it was legalized in 2013
In Argentina, support for same-sex marriage reached 76% in 2010, making it one of the first Latin American countries to legalize it in 2010
The legalization of same-sex marriage in Taiwan in 2019 made it the first country in Asia to do so, with support reaching 60%
Nearly 60% of Americans aged 18-29 support same-sex marriage, according to Pew Research Center
In 2023, 37% of respondents in a global survey believe that same-sex marriage should be legal everywhere, up from 25% in 2015
Norway, Sweden, and Denmark are among the Nordic countries with the highest levels of support, exceeding 80%
In Belgium, 76% of people support same-sex marriage according to recent surveys, and it has been legal since 2003
The rate of marriage equality support among Generation Z is approximately 85%, the highest of all generations
In 2021, support for same-sex marriage in Indonesia was around 30%, with significant growth since 2010, where it was less than 10%
According to a 2019 Gallup poll, 69% of Americans support same-sex marriage, showing a steady increase over the decade
In Chile, support for same-sex marriage increased from 45% in 2012 to 68% in 2021, leading to recent legalization efforts

Public Support and Attitudes Interpretation

As global attitudes toward same-sex marriage have soared from less than 10% in Indonesia to over 80% in Nordic countries, it seems the world is finally catching up to what many already knew: love and commitment are universally hard to oppose, even if societal acceptance still varies across borders and generations.