The age of consent—the period at which someone is legally allowed to agree to a sexual relationship—varies worldwide. In some countries, the age of consent is as low as 12 or 13, while in others, it is as high as 18 to 21.
Here we look at 14 countries with the oldest age of consent. In all these countries, the age of consent is 18 or older, meaning anyone below that age is not legally allowed to agree to a sexual relationship.
While some countries have a single age of consent, others have different laws for various sexual activities. So if you’re wondering how old you need to be before you’re allowed to agree to a sexual relationship, look at this list of 14 countries with the oldest age of consent.
14. Eritrea
Age of Consent: 18 years old
Population: 3,684,032
GDP Per Capita: $740
Region: Africa
photo source: TripAdvisor
Eritrea is a country in North Africa with an age of consent of 18. It borders Ethiopia, Sudan, and Djibouti. The country has a coastline along the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Eritrea is home to many cultures and religions, including Muslims, Christians, and Jews.
The country is a former Italian colony, and many archaeological sites throughout the country date back to this time period.
The capital city of Asmara was founded by the Italians in 1894 and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. Eritrea has been in the news recently because of its political unrest. In 2018, there were protests against President Isaias Afwerki’s government. The protests turned violent, and security forces shot into crowds of innocent people.
Did You Know?
Eritrea is one of the World’s most repressive countries regarding political rights, civil liberties, and freedom of expression.
13. Gambia
Age of Consent: 18 years old
Population: 2,705,992
GDP Per Capita: $750
Region: Africa
photo source: Nations Online Project
The age of consent in Gambia is 18 years old. The country is located in West Africa and has a population of more than 2.7 million people as of 2022. It covers an area of almost 74,000 square kilometers and has a climate that ranges from tropical to arid desert.
Gambia has a high literacy rate and is one of the least corrupt countries in Africa. It was once a British colony but gained independence in 1965.
The country has been ruled by the same party since 1994 and has experienced only one coup d’etat since its formation in 1971. Gambia has a multi-party system, and the current president is Adama Barrow. The country’s economy relies on agriculture, fishing, and tourism. Its main exports include groundnuts (peanuts), fish, and other seafood products.
Did You Know?
It currently has one of the highest poverty rates in the World, with about 75% of the population living below the national poverty line.
12. Gabon
Age of Consent: 18 years old
Population: 2,388,992
GDP Per Capita: $7,100
Region: Africa
photo source: Adequate Travel
In Gabon, it is illegal for an adult to engage in sex with anyone under 18 and/or mentally disabled. Under SDG 5.3’s aim of eliminating child, early, and forced marriages, Gabon has pledged to do so by 2030. At the Human Rights Council in 2014, Gabon joined with other signatories to demand a resolution on child marriage.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child mandates a marriage age minimum of 18, and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which requires states to ensure that individuals have free and informed consent to marriage, were both ratified by Gabon in 1994 and 1983, respectively. In Gabon, most marriages are traditional or religious.
Did You Know?
Girls are more likely to be married off young and throughout a marriage since the government does not require the certification of customary and religious practices.
11. Equatorial Guinea
Age of Consent: 18 years old
Population: 1,674,908
GDP Per Capita: $6,700
Region: Africa
photo source: Guinea Ecuatorial
Gender inequality and the idea that women and girls are somewhat less valuable than men and boys are the leading causes of child marriage. In Equatorial Guinea, nothing is known about child marriage. Pregnant females in Equatorial Guinea are not permitted to attend school.
Unplanned pregnancies, underage marriages, and pregnancies brought on by sexual assault are also common. In addition to depriving pregnant girls and adolescent mothers of their access to education, doing so exposes them to further violence, suffering, and poverty.
Did You Know?
Although the legal consent age in this nation is 18, almost 30% of females in Equatorial Guinea get married before becoming 18, and 9% before turning 15.
10. Djibouti
Age of Consent: 18 years old
Population: 1,120,849
GDP Per Capita: $1,950
Region: Africa
photo source: Adequate Travel
In Djibouti, the legal age of consent is 18 years old. Therefore, the legal minimum age at which a person can consent to engage in sexual conduct is known as the age of consent.
Sexual behavior with anybody under 17 is illegal in Djibouti, and those who do so risk being charged with statutory rape or another related crime. However, when someone engages in consenting sexual intercourse outside of marriage with a person under 18, Djibouti’s statutory rape legislation is broken.
Did You Know?
While the consent is 18 years old, minors can get married with their parent’s permission.
9. Bhutan
Age of Consent: 18 years old
Population: 782,455
GDP Per Capita: $3,500
Region: Asia
photo source: Wondermondo
In Bhutan, 18 is considered to be the age of consent. Therefore, it is illegal for anybody under 17 to give their permission for sexual intercourse, and those who do so risk being charged with statutory rape or another related crime.
When someone engages in consenting sexual intercourse with a person under 18, they violate the statutory rape statute of Bhutan.
However, the problem of child brides in this developing nation means that there is sometimes no age of consent, leading to serious health issues and even fatalities of these child brides—sometimes, on the very night the marriage is consummated.
Did You Know?
A divided discussion has resulted from a proposal presented in 2019 to lower the legal consent age from 18 to 16.
8. Malta
Age of Consent: 18 years old
Population: 533,286
GDP Per Capita: 29,000
Region: Europe
photo source: PlanetWare
Malta is a small island country in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, southwest of Italy. It has an area of just over 316 square miles and a population of just over 500,000 as of 2022.
The age of consent in Malta is 18 years old, the same age as one can legally consume alcohol. In addition, smoking cigarettes anywhere in public spaces, including bars and restaurants, is illegal.
Malta has a diverse history as a seafaring nation, with many cultures influencing its architecture, cuisine, and language over the years.
Did You Know?
The country’s official languages are Maltese and English; both are spoken by most people who live there today.
7. Seychelles
Age of Consent: 18 years old
Population: 107,118
GDP Per Capita: $15,500
Region: Africa
photo source: The Knot
The age of consent in Seychelles is 18 years old. Seychelles is a country located in the Indian Ocean. It is made up of 115 islands and has an estimated population of just over 100,000 people. The country has a tropical climate, with hot, humid summers and warm winters. Seychelles has a diverse culture.
The main religion is Christianity, but Hinduism and Islam are also practiced in the country. Seychelles’ economy is based on tourism and finance, with tourism being its largest source of foreign exchange earnings. Seychelles also has an economic partnership agreement with India and China.
Did You Know?
In addition to its native language of Creole, English and French are spoken by most residents of Seychelles.
6. Northern Mariana Islands
Age of Consent: 18 years old
Population: 49,551
GDP Per Capita: $27,585
Region: Australia & Oceania
photo source: HuffPost
The age of consent in the Northern Mariana Islands is 18 years old. The law also prohibits child pornography, the production, and possession of materials depicting minors engaged in explicit sexual activity.
The Northern Mariana Islands are located north of the Philippines, east of Guam, west of Palau, and south of Japan. The capital city of Saipan has a population of about 50,000 people.
Did You Know?
The country has a total land area of about 110 square miles (285 sq km) divided into 14 islands.
5. Vatican City
Age of Consent: 18 years old
Population: 510 (2022)
GDP Per Capita: $21,198
Region: Europe
photo source: Travel Triangle
Vatican City has an age of consent of 18 years old, established in 1929. It is the smallest country in the World and one of the oldest. It is a city-state that is located in Rome, Italy.
The name “Vatican” comes from Vatican Hill, which sits on top of an ancient temple dedicated to the goddess Venus. In 324 AD, Emperor Constantine took control of this temple and converted it into a Christian church.
Did You Know?
The word “Vatican” comes from the Latin word vaticinium, which means prophet or seer.
4. Niue
Age of Consent: 19 years old
Population: 1,934 (2022)
GDP Per Capita: $14,546
Region: Australia & Oceania
photo source: Niue Pocket Guide
The age of consent in Niue is 19. In addition to being one of the oldest countries in the World, Niue is also one of the smallest. It has a population of only around 1,900 people as of 2022 and is located in Polynesia.
In addition to its small size, Niue has a small economy with few exports and an even smaller GDP per capita at just over $14,000 annually. There are no natural resources in Niue or any major industries besides tourism and fishing; however, it has beautiful beaches that attract tourists from around the World.
Did You Know?
The country’s official language is English, but it also has a language called “Niuean.” It’s estimated that less than 1,000 people speak Niuean fluently.
3. South Korea
Age of Consent: 20 years old
Population: 51,815,810 (2022)
GDP Per Capita: $28,075
Region: Asia
photo source: Travel2Next
South Korea has an age of consent of 20. South Korea’s population is estimated at 51 million people, and its GDP is $1.39 trillion, making it the 26th largest economy in the World. It is also one of only two countries in Asia with a free-market economy (the other being Hong Kong).
South Korea is a member of the United Nations, WTO, and OECD. South Korea is also one of the World’s top 20 exporters and importers. In addition, various organizations consistently rank it as one of the most technologically advanced countries in the World.
Did You Know?
The official language in South Korea is Korean, and its territory spans 98,480 square miles (255,000 square kilometers) on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula.
2. Nepal
Age of Consent: 20 years old
Population: 30,547,580 (2022)
GDP Per Capita: $920
Region: Asia
photo source: TripAdvisor
Nepal is a landlocked country in South Asia, bordering China and India. It is the World’s only Hindu-majority country, with approximately 28% of the population practicing Buddhism. The legal age of consent in Nepal is 20 years old. This law applies to all population members regardless of gender or sexuality.
Nepal also has a very high child marriage rate: about 54% of girls are married before they turn 18. The government has been working to reduce this rate by increasing access to education for girls and raising awareness of the adverse effects of child marriage on women’s health and development.
Did You Know?
It is the 93rd largest country in the World, with an area of 147,181 square kilometers.
1. Bahrain
Age of Consent: 21 years old
Population: 1,472,233 (2022)
GDP Per Capita: $21,700
Region: Asia
photo source: iStock
Bahrain is a country in the Middle East located in the Arabian Peninsula, bordering Saudi Arabia and Qatar. It’s considered the country with the oldest age of consent which is 21 years old.
According to the World Bank, the nation has over 1.4 million people. Bahrain’s legal system is based on Islamic law, but it also allows civil courts to rule in cases concerning non-Muslims. In addition, the country’s constitution specifically prohibits discrimination based on sex, disability, race, or religion.
Did You Know?
The legal age of consent in Bahrain was last changed in 2011 when the government raised it from 16 to 21 years old, allowing those women who want to marry without their father’s consent.
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FAQs
What country has the oldest consent age? ›
The highest is set at 18 years – in Malta. About half of the Member States apply different age limits to sexual acts between young persons.
What country has 14 age of consent? ›Europe's lowest age of consent is 14, which applies in countries including Austria, Italy, Serbia, Germany, and Portugal. Aruba, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadies all share the lowest age of consent in North America at 15 years old.
Why is the age of consent 14 in Germany? ›The current rules for age of consent in Germany were set following a post-reunification penal law reform in 1994. The ages of 14 and 16 had been relevant since the Criminal Code for the German Empire came into force in 1872: Under § 176, sexual acts with children under 14 were illegal and have been always since.
Is the age of consent in Japan really 13? ›A panel of the Japanese Justice Ministry has proposed raising the age of consent from 13 to 16. It forms part of a wider overhaul of Japan's laws on sex crimes, after multiple rape acquittals in 2019 caused outcry.
What country has the age of consent at 12? ›The age of consent is 12 in the Philippines and Angola, and 13 in Burkina Faso, Comoros, Niger, and Japan. Japan often stands out as the only developed country on the list of lowest ages of consent, but local prefecture statutes in most areas of the country raise the effective age to 16-18.
What is the age of consent in Russia? ›The Age of Consent in Russia is 16 years old. The age of consent is the minimum age at which an individual is considered legally old enough to consent to participation in sexual activity.
Is the age of consent 12 in the US? ›In the majority of states (34), it is 16 years of age. In the remaining states, the age of consent is either 17 or 18 years old (6 and 11 states, respectively). Note: Some states have marital exemptions.
Can a 14 year old consent to a 19 year old in Canada? ›Canada's age of consent
The age of consent to sexual activity is 16 years. In some cases, the age of consent is higher (for example, when there is a relationship of trust, authority or dependency). In other words, a person must be at least 16 years old to be able to legally agree to sexual activity.
What is the age of consent in SA? The age of consent in SA is 17. This means that it is against the law for anyone to have sex with someone who is under 17.
What is the age of consent in Ukraine? ›Sexual intercourse and other activities of a sexual nature with persons under 16 years of age are illegal under Articles 155 and 156 of the Criminal Code, punishable by deprivation of liberty for up to five years.
Can a 16 year old date a 20 year old UK? ›
The age of consent in the UK is 16. This means that it's against the law for someone to have sex with someone under the age of 16. It wouldn't be illegal for someone who's 16 to have a relationship with someone who is 30 - unless that person is their teacher or in a position of authority.
Can a 25 year old date a 16 year old in Germany? ›Age of consent starts at 14 if both are under 21. If one is over 21 and the other 14 or 15 it's a matter of maturity of the younger one - in doubt it's abuse. If the younger one is 16 or 17 it's usually permissible, unless the older one exploits the younger one in any way. If both are over 18 they are adults.
What is the legal age in China? ›| Country / Territory | On-premise sale | Supply by any person |
|---|---|---|
| China | 18* | [none found] |
| Chinese Taipei | 18 | 18 |
| Colombia | 18 | 18 |
| Comoros | [varies by religion] | [none found] |
The age of consent in Japan is 13.
The Japanese Penal Code stipulates that the age of consent, i.e. the legal age at which an individual is considered to have the ability to agree to sexual activities is 13 years old as of 2022.
Over time, the age of consent has been increased by various laws in India and was 16 from 1940 until 2012, when the Pocso Act raised the age of consent to 18 years, one of the highest ages globally. A vast majority of countries set their ages in the range of 14 to 16 years.
Can a 12 year old give consent in Canada? ›The legal age of consent in Canada is 16 years old.
Exceptions: Persons under 16 years can have consensual sex with someone close in age. These exceptions only apply if the older person is not in a position of authority or trust and there is no exploitation or dependency.
The lowest age of consent is in Nigeria (11) followed by the Philippines and Angola (12). The age of consent is 13 in four countries – Japan, Niger, Comoros and Burkina Faso.
Is 13 the age of consent in the UK? ›In each UK nation, the age at which people can legally consent to sexual activity (also known as the age of consent) is 16-years-old.
What is the age of consent in Pakistan? ›Age of Consent: 18 years Pakistan Penal Code Child Abuse Amendment Act Art. 377A.
What is the consent age in Afghanistan? ›Age of Marriage: 18 for males, 16 for females Civil Code Art.
What is the age of consent in Israel? ›
The Israeli Penal Code (1977) sets the age of consent for same-sex sexual relations involving any kind of penetration as 16 (the same as the age of consent for opposite-sex sexual relations involving any kind of penetration).
What is age of consent in Japan? ›As of now, Japan has the lowest age of consent in developed countries as well as among the G7 countries where 13-year-old children are old enough to consent. A Japanese justice ministry panel proposed raising the age of consent in the country from 13 to 16.
Can a 30 year old date a 16 year old in Canada? ›There is nothing that prohibits someone in Canada from “dating” a minor, sixteen years of age and younger, so long as the date does not involve sexual activity.
What is the age of consent in Brazil? ›Brazil. In Brazil, the age of consent is 14, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. Although not legally formalized, there is judicial precedent allowing a close-in-age exception for those aged 12–13 to engage in sexual activity with partners who are as much as 5 years older.
What is the age of consent in South Korea? ›[37] [38] [39] [40] Although the age of consent is 15, the offender can only be charged and prosecuted if a complaint is filed with law enforcement authorities. An exception to this law is if the age of the victim is less than 12 years old or in certain circumstances such as assault or incest.
Can an 11 year old date a 14 year old in Canada? ›Youth 12 or 13 years of age can consent to nonexploitative sexual activity with peers when the age difference is no more than two years. For example, a 12-year-old child is deemed capable of consenting to sexual activity with a 14-year-old, but not a 15-year-old.
What is the age of consent in Australia? ›The legal age for consensual sex varies between 16 and 17 years across Australian state and territory jurisdictions (see Table 2). For other sexual activities, the criminal legislation relating to different types of sexual behaviours and interactions varies across Australian jurisdictions. Tas. Vic.
Can a 15 year old date a 13 year old in South Africa? ›Furthermore, South African law states that no child under the age of 12 can consent to sex, and therefore, sex with a pre-teen is rape or sexual assault.
What is the age of consent in Saudi Arabia? ›Saudi Arabia acceded to the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1996, which sets a minimum age of marriage of 18, and ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in 2000, which obligates states to ensure free and full consent to marriage.
What is the age of consent in Vietnam? ›Age of Consent: 18 years Vietnam Criminal Code Art. 143, paragraph 4 Any person who employs trickery to make his care-dependent or a person in extreme need to reluctantly engage in sexual intercourse or other sexual activities shall face a penalty of 01 - 05 years' imprisonment. 4.
What is the age of consent in Sweden? ›
In Sweden, the age of consent to sexual activity is 15 years of age. The reform was also intended to create clear and well-defined legal sections and to make the language of the sections in the Penal Code more up to date.
What is the age of consent in Scotland? ›The Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009 maintains the age of consent at 16 and provides that any sexual activity between an adult and a child and young person constitutes a criminal offence. Sexual intercourse and oral sex between children and young people under the age of 16 also remains unlawful.
Can a 17 year old sleep with a 30 year old? ›This means that a person 17 years of age or older may consent to have sexual intercourse with any other person, regardless of age. A 17-year old could choose to engage in sexual intercourse with: an 18-year old, a 30-year old, or.
Can two 15 year olds sleep together? ›This is illegal because they are both underage. And having sex comes with a lot of responsibilities such as getting contraception advice on how to protect yourself from unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
Can a 40 year old sleep with a 17 year old? ›The older person could be charged with statutory rape.
Can a 16 year old marry a 40 year old? ›With parental consent, a person can marry at 16 or 17, but only if there is no more than a three-year age gap between the two parties. With parental consent, a person can marry at 16. 16- or 17-year-olds can marry someone no more than four years older with approval from a juvenile court judge.
What is the drinking age in USA? ›Minimum Legal Drinking Age (MLDA) laws specify the legal age when an individual can purchase alcoholic beverages. The MLDA in the United States is 21 years. However, prior to the enactment of the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984, the legal age when alcohol could be purchased varied from state to state.
What age can you marry China? ›Under Chinese law, men can marry from 22 and women from 20.
What age can you retire in China? ›China's retirement age has remained unchanged for more than four decades at 60 for men and 55 for female white-collar workers, even as life-expectancy has risen. Female blue-collar workers retire even earlier at 50.
Can a 20 year old marry a 13 year old in Japan? ›Who Can Get Married in Japan? Article 731 to 737 of the Japanese Civil Code stipulates the following requirements: The male partner must be 18 years of age or older and the female partner must be 18 years of age or older. A person who is under 18 years of age cannot get married in Japan without a parent's approval.
Can a 16 year old marry a 20 year old in Japan? ›
Under the provisions of the Civil Code, a man may not marry until reaching 18 years of age, nor a woman until reaching 16 years of age. A person under 20 years of age must obtain the consent both of his/her father and mother in order to marry.
Can a 30 year old date a 13 year old in Japan? ›If the two people are not engaging in any sexual activity, nothing illegal has happened. Can a 30 year old date a 13 year old in Japan? My Japanese friend in school tells me that there are very young teens in Japan who date older men and it is accepted. yes.
Why is the age of consent 12 in the Philippines? ›Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a bill that raises the minimum age of sexual consent from 12 to 16, his office said on Monday, in a bid to protect minors from rape and sexual abuse.
What countries age of consent is 9? ›The lowest age of consent is 9 years for Maldives and 12 years for Angola, Mexico, Philippines, South Sudan and Sudan, which is the minimum age in the world.
Can a 17 year old legally date a 30 year old in South Africa? ›What is the age of consent in SA? The age of consent in SA is 17. This means that it is against the law for anyone to have sex with someone who is under 17.
Why is Japan's age of consent so low? ›13 is the age set by Japanese Penal Code. But why was the age of consent set at such an young age in Japan? The reason is because the law was made nearly 120 years ago and back in those days the average life expectancy of people in the country was less than 50.
What is the age of consent in China? ›The age of consent in mainland China is 14 years old. China's two special administrative regions, Macau and Hong Kong, have their own local age of consent laws. Like China, Macau's age of consent is 14 years old. The age of consent in Hong Kong is 16 years old.
What is the age of consent in USA? ›In the majority of states (34), it is 16 years of age. In the remaining states, the age of consent is either 17 or 18 years old (6 and 11 states, respectively). Note: Some states have marital exemptions. This Table assumes the two parties are not married to one another.
Can a 30 year old date a 10 year old? ›No, it is generally not illegal to simply be in a non-sexual relationship with a minor. However, just because it is not illegal to date someone underage does not mean that everything in the relationship is permissible. Some non-sexual conduct that is common in dating relationships may still be illegal.
Can a 40 year old date a 17 year old in Texas? ›What is the Age of Consent in Texas? In Texas, the age of consent is 17, which means if an adult engages in any form of sexual activity with a child under 17, it is considered statutory rape – even if the younger individual agreed to the sexual activity or lied about their age.
What age can you marry in Japan? ›
A person under 20 years of age must obtain the consent both of his/her father and mother in order to marry. After marriage, any person may independently become a party to legal action even if he/she is under 20 years of age.
What's the age of consent in Texas? ›It's important to note, though, that the age of consent in Texas is 17. This means that it is generally legal for a person to have sex with someone who is at least 17 years old as long as both parties are willing and consensual.