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

Following a Constitutional Court ruling and a subsequent legislative act, Taiwan became the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide on 24 May 2019.

The Supreme Court Of India in a landmark decision on 16 August 2022 widened the definition of family under Indian law. This case has allowed for further recognition of live-in relationships of LGBT couples.

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

Israel recognises unregistered cohabitation for same-sex couples. Some cities in Cambodia provide same-sex couples with some limited rights and benefits, including hospital visitation rights. Several prefectures in Japan issue partnership certificates for same-sex couples. In Hong Kong, the same-sex partners of residents can receive spousal visas and spousal benefits.

Current situation

National level

Status	Country	Legal since	Country population (Last Census count)
Marriage (2 countries)	Taiwan	2019	23,576,705
	Thailand	2025	69,183,173
Subtotal	—	—	92,759,878 (1.9% of the Asian population)
Civil unions (1 country)	Cyprus	2015	1,117,000
Subtotal	—	—	1,117,000 (0.05% of the Asian population)
Limited cohabitation (3 countries)	India	2022	1,336,740,000
	Israel	2006	8,910,800
	Nepal	2024	29,218,867
Subtotal	—	—	1,374,869,679 (29.71% of the Asian population)
Total	—	—	1,468,746,545 (30.75% of the Asian population)
No recognition (39 countries) * same-sex sexual activity illegal	Afghanistan*	—	31,575,018
	Azerbaijan	—	9,898,085
	Bahrain	—	1,496,300
	Bangladesh*	—	165,159,000
	Bhutan	—	727,145
	Brunei*	—	422,678
	China	—	1,393,970,000
	East Timor	—	1,261,407
	Indonesia	—	265,015,300
	Iran*	—	81,773,300
	Iraq*	—	39,339,753
	Japan	—	126,490,000
	Jordan	—	10,235,500
	Kazakhstan	—	18,272,400
	Kuwait*	—	4,226,920
	Laos	—	6,961,210
	Lebanon	—	6,093,509
	Malaysia*	—	32,663,200
	Maldives*	—	378,114
	Myanmar*	—	53,862,731
	North Korea	—	25,610,672
	Oman*	—	4,633,752
	Pakistan*	—	201,938,000
	Philippines	—	106,438,000
	Qatar*	—	2,450,285
	Saudi Arabia*	—	33,413,660
	Singapore	—	5,612,253
	South Korea	—	51,635,256
	Sri Lanka*	—	21,444,000
	Syria*	—	18,284,407
	Tajikistan	—	8,931,000
	Turkey	—	80,810,525
	Turkmenistan*	—	5,851,466
	United Arab Emirates*	—	9,541,615
	Uzbekistan*	—	32,653,900
	Vietnam	—	94,660,000
	Yemen*	—	28,915,284
Subtotal	—	—	2,982,645,645 (65.37% of the Asian population)
Constitutional ban on marriage (6 countries)	Armenia	2015	2,969,800
	Cambodia	1993	16,069,921
	Georgia	2018	3,729,600
	Kyrgyzstan	2016	6,309,300
	Mongolia	1992	3,225,080
	Russia	2020	146,877,088
Subtotal	—	—	179,180,789 (3.9% of the Asian population)
Total	—	—	3,161,826,434 (70.54% of the Asian population)

Sub-national level

Status	Country	Jurisdiction	Legal since	Jurisdiction population (Last Census count)
Marriage (2 jurisdictions)	United Kingdom	Akrotiri and Dhekelia	2014	15,700
		British Indian Ocean Territory	2014	3,000 (military personnel only)
Total				18,700

Partially-recognized and unrecognized states

Status	Country	Since	State population (Last estimate count)
No recognition (4 states) * same-sex sexual activity illegal	Abkhazia	—	242,862
	Northern Cyprus		313,626
	Palestine*	—	4,780,978
	South Ossetia	—	53,532
Total	—	—	5,390,998 (0.1% of the Asian population)

Future legislation

Part of the LGBTQ rights series
Legal status of same-sex unions
Marriage Andorra Argentina Australia Austria Belgium Brazil Canada Chile Colombia Costa Rica Cuba Denmark Ecuador Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Iceland Ireland Liechtenstein Luxembourg Malta Mexico Netherlands New Zealand Norway Portugal Slovenia South Africa Spain Sweden Switzerland Taiwan Thailand United Kingdom United States Uruguay Recognized Israel United States:  • American Samoa
Civil unions or registered partnerships but not marriage Bolivia Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Hungary Italy Latvia Monaco Montenegro San Marino United Kingdom:  • Bermuda  • Cayman Islands
Minimal recognition Bulgaria Cambodia China  • Hong Kong India Japan Lithuania Namibia Nepal Netherlands:  • Sint Maarten Poland Romania Slovakia
See also Same-sex union legislation Same-sex union court cases Timeline of same-sex marriage Recognition of same-sex unions in Africa Recognition of same-sex unions in Asia Recognition of same-sex unions in Europe Recognition of same-sex unions in the Americas Recognition of same-sex unions in Oceania Marriage privatization Divorce of same-sex couples Domestic partnership Military policy Adoption Listings by country LGBTQ rights by country or territory
Notes ^ Performed in the Netherlands proper (including the Caribbean Netherlands), as well as in Aruba and Curaçao. May be registered in Sint Maarten in such cases, but the rights of marriage are not guaranteed. Neither performed nor recognized in Niue, Tokelau, or the Cook Islands. Neither performed nor recognized in six British Overseas Territories. ^ Neither performed nor recognized in some tribal nations. Recognized but not performed in several other tribal nations and American Samoa. Registered foreign marriages confer all marriage rights. Domestic common-law marriages confer most rights of marriage. Domestic civil marriage recognized by some cities. ^ The Coman v. Romania ruling of the European Court of Justice obliges the state to provide residency rights for the foreign spouses of EU citizens. Some member states, including Romania, do not follow the ruling. A "declaration of family relationship" is available in several of Cambodia's communes which may be useful in matters such as housing, but is not legally binding. Guardianship agreements, conferring some limited legal benefits, including decisions about medical and personal care. Inheritance, guardianship rights, and residency rights for foreign spouses of legal residents. Courts have recognised guru–shishya, nata pratha or maitri karar–type contractual relationships, but they are not legally binding. Some cities and prefectures issue partnership certificates, but they are not legally binding. Marriages conducted abroad between a Namibian national and a foreign spouse recognized for residency rights. Hospital visitation rights through a "legal representative" status. ^ Not yet in effect.
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Marriage

Opposition proposals or proposals without a parliamentary majority

 Japan: A bill was introduced by the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan in March 2023.

Non-marital partnership

Opposition proposals or proposals without a parliamentary majority

 Philippines: In 2022, two same-sex civil union bills were proposed to the Philippine Congress. The first bill, named the "Civil Partnership Act", was proposed by Bagong Henerasyon party-list representative Bernadette Herrera-Dy in July 2022. This bill would provide recognition of same-sex couples in the Philippines and grant them the same benefits and protections as opposite-sex married couples on a national level. This bill was also proposed in previous Congresses, but did not pass. In August 2022, senator Robin Padilla proposed a similar bill named the "Civil Unions Act", which would provide benefits and protections for same-sex couples similar to Herrera-Dy's, as well as inheritance rights, adoption rights, and other privileges granted to married couples. In February 2023, Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez proposed a new Civil Partnership Bill, which allows both same-sex and opposite-sex couples to enter into a civil partnership and enjoy equal rights and protection under the law

Public opinion

Opinion polls for same-sex marriage by country

Country or territory	Pollster	Year	For	Against	Neutral	Margin of error	Source
Armenia	Pew Research Center	2015	3%	96%	1%	±3%
Cambodia	Pew Research Center	2023	57%	42%	1%
China	Ipsos	2021	43%	19%		-
Georgia	Women’s Initiatives Supporting Group	2021	10% (12%)	75% (88%)	15%
Hong Kong	Pew Research Center	2023	58%	40%	2%
India	Pew Research Center	2023	53%	43%	4%	±3.6%
Indonesia	Pew Research Center	2023	5%	92%	3%	±3.6%
Israel	Pew Research Center	2023	36%	56%	8%	±3.6%
Japan	Kyodo News	2023	64% (72%)	25% (28%)	11%
	Asahi Shimbun	2023	72% (80%)	18% (20%)	10%
	Ipsos	2023	38%	40%	22% not sure	±3.5%
	Pew Research Center	2023	68%	26%	6%	±2.75%
Kazakhstan	Pew Research Center	2016	7%	89%	4%	-
Malaysia	Pew Research Center	2023	17%	82%	1%
Philippines	SWS	2018	22%	61%	16%
Russia	Ipsos	2021	17%	52%		-
Singapore	Ipsos	2023	32%	50%	19%	±3.5%
	Pew Research Center	2023	45%	51%	4%
South Korea	Ipsos	2023	35%	42%	23% not sure	±3.5%
	Pew Research Center	2023	41%	56%	3%
Sri Lanka	Pew Research Center	2023	23%	69%	8%
Taiwan	CNA	2023	63%	37%
	Pew Research Center	2023	45%	43%	12%
Thailand	Ipsos	2023	55%	29%	16% not sure	±3.5%
	Pew Research Center	2023	60%	32%	8%
Turkey	Ipsos	2023	20%	52%	28% not sure	±3.5%
Vietnam	Pew Research Center	2023	65%	30%	5%

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

See also

• LGBT rights in Asia
• Recognition of same-sex unions in Africa
• Recognition of same-sex unions in the Americas
• Recognition of same-sex unions in Europe
• Recognition of same-sex unions in Oceania

Notes

1. Same-sex sexual activity legal in the West Bank, illegal in the Gaza Strip.

1. Also comprises: Don't know; No answer; Other; Refused.

References

1. "Taiwan's high court paves the way for same-sex marriage, a first in Asia". Los Angeles Times. 24 May 2017. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
2. Gupta, Sarthak (30 August 2022). "India Supreme Court expands family rights to LGBTQ+ and unmarried partners". Jurist. Bernard Hibbitts. Jurist. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
3. Cohen v. Shushan, 212 So.3d 1113 (2017) ("Our decision upholds a fine — but very clear — distinction that has been set within Israel's marital law, one we must maintain out of respect to Israel's law-making authority. Because Ms. Shushan and the late Mr. Cohen's legal union was not entered into through any recognized religious authority, they were not married under Israeli law. Ms. Shushan, therefore, could not be a surviving spouse of Mr. Cohen").
4. Same-sex couples tie the knot in Cambodia in a stunning public ceremony, Gay Star News, 24 May 2018
5. "Rainbow Community Kampuchea: What we do?". Archived from the original on 2018-05-30. Retrieved 2019-06-25.
6. Williams, Joe (December 26, 2015). "Another Japanese city to recognise same-sex relationships". Pink News. Retrieved December 26, 2015.
7. Masanori, Hiuchi (1 March 2016). "City in Mie Prefecture to recognize same-sex partnerships in April". Asahi Shimbun. Archived from the original on 2016-03-02. Retrieved 2016-03-12.
8. "3rd municipality in Japan starts issuing same-sex partnership papers". Japan Today. 3 April 2016.
9. "Hong Kong's top court sides with gay civil servant in application for spousal benefit and tax assessment". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. 2019-06-06. Retrieved 2019-06-06.
10. "Breakthrough for LGBT rights as Hong Kong to recognise same-sex partnerships in spousal visa applications". South China Morning Post. 18 September 2018.
11. "Japan opposition party submits bill for same-sex marriage".
12. Quismorio, Ellson (July 6, 2022). "Will proposed Civil Partnership Act prosper in 19th Congress? Herrera has fingers crossed". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
13. Bordey, Hana (2022-08-11). "Padilla wants same-sex unions institutionalized". GMA News Online. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
14. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1195220
15. "Religious Belief and National Belonging in Central and Eastern Europe" (PDF). Pew. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
16. ^ "Religious belief and national belonging in Central and Eastern Europe - Appendix A: Methodology". Pew Research Center. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
17. ^ "How people in 24 countries view same-sex marriage". Retrieved 14 June 2023.
18. "წინარწმენიდან თანასწორობამდე (From Prejudice to Equality), part 2" (PDF). WISG. 2022.
19. ^ "How people in 24 countries view same-sex marriage". Retrieved 14 June 2023.
20. Staff (February 13, 2023). "64% favor recognizing same-sex marriage in Japan: Kyodo poll". Kyodo News. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
21. Isoda, Kazuaki (February 21, 2023). "Survey: 72% of voters in favor of legalizing gay marriages". The Asahi Shimbun. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
22. ^ LGBT+ PRIDE 2023 GLOBAL SURVEY (PDF). Ipsos. 1 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
23. "Being Christian in Western Europe" (PDF). Pew Research Center. p. 152. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
24. "First Quarter 2018 Social Weather Survey: 61% of Pinoys oppose, and 22% support, a law that will allow the civil union of two men or two women". 29 June 2018. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
25. Strong, Matthew (19 May 2023). "Support for gay marriage surges in Taiwan 4 years after legalization". Taiwan News. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
26. Glauert, Rik (2019-05-30). "Survey finds 45% believe same-sex marriage inevtiable in Asia-Pacific". Gay Star News. Retrieved 2021-09-23.
27. "Legalisation of same-sex marriage will inevitably spread across Asia-Pacific, say nearly half of respondents in new Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) survey". vietnamnews.vn. Retrieved 2021-09-23.

• Recognition of same-sex unions in Asia