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Legal status of polygamy

What this indicator measures

Polygamy is being married to several people at the same time (most often a man with several wives). Depending on the country, the law recognizes it, limits it to one religion or to local customs, or does not recognize it. Countries whose status is not specified in the source are absent.

How to read this?

“Recognized by law” means that civil law accepts it; “Muslims only” or “customary law” means that it is accepted only for certain groups; “Not recognized” means that the law accepts only one marriage at a time.

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167countries with data
2026data year(s)

In brief

Legal status of polygamy: 167 countries and territories covered. Breakdown: Polygamy recognized by law : 45 ; Recognized for Muslims only : 7 ; Recognized only by customary law : 8 ; Not recognized (prohibited) : 107.

Why this indicator matters

The law on polygamy touches on marriage, family, inheritance and equality between spouses. Comparing it shows how states regulate, limit or do not recognize this type of union.

What makes this indicator vary

The rules depend on legal tradition, the weight of religious or customary law, colonial history and family law reforms. Some states apply different rules depending on the community.

Reading precautions

The indicator describes legal status, not practice: a union can exist without being recognized. Countries whose status is not specified in the source are absent. The source is collaborative and may change.

Legal status of polygamy

Polygamy recognized by law (45)

Recognized for Muslims only (7)

Recognized only by customary law (8)

Not recognized (prohibited) (107)

Frequently asked questions

Where does the "Legal status of polygamy" data come from?

It comes from Wikipédia (en) – Legal status of polygamy. Site last updated: November 8, 2026. Each country is shown with the year of its most recent value.

What is polygamy?

It is being married to several people at the same time, most often a man with several wives. Marriage to only one person at a time is called monogamy.

What does “recognized for certain groups” mean?

The law accepts polygamy only for part of the population, for example according to religion or custom. General civil law, for its part, accepts only one marriage at a time.

Source and update

Source : Wikipédia (en) – Legal status of polygamy. Site last updated: November 8, 2026.

Indicators in the same category : Family & Nationality