Philologisches Klo - Archiv

Source: AVERT

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The table lists the legal age for countries at which people of different ages and sexualities can have sex.

General notes

If more than one age is given then the law within that country or state varies according to region or circumstances. In particular, some countries have regional laws that may overrule the federal law. Also in some cases the age of consent is lower when partners are of a similar age. Where the symbol ? is used, information is either incomplete or unavailable.

In some countries the age of consent is higher for those taking part in commercial sex. In many countries the age of consent is higher when one partner is in a position of trust with regard to the other, or when one partner takes advantage of the other’s immaturity. Age of consent laws often do not apply when the partners are married.

The US military prohibits sex between men and sex with a female aged under 16.

In this table, male-female sex is defined as vaginal or anal sex, and male-male sex is defined as anal sex. Other sexual activities may be legal at a lower age.

* The average age of consent does not include countries where it is illegal.

Footnotes

1. Queensland has a ’sodomy law’ meaning the legal age of consent for anal intercourse is 18 and vaginal intercourse is 16.
2. In Brazil, authorities may not choose to prosecute if the younger partner is aged 14 to 17 and does not lodge a complaint.
3. In Canada, consensual activity with those over 12 may not be an offence if the accused is under 16 and less than two years older than the complainant. The exception is anal intercourse, to which unmarried persons under 18 cannot legally consent according to national law, although provincial laws may vary.
4. In Finland, sex with someone under 16 is not deemed sexual abuse of a child if “there is no great difference in the ages or the mental and physical maturity of the persons involved.”
5. In Germany, sexual intercourse is legal from the age of 14 provided the older partner is aged under 18 and provided they are not “exploiting a coercive situation” or offering compensation. In addition, sex between one partner aged 14-15 and another aged under 21 is legal unless the older partner “exploits the victim’s lack of capacity for sexual self-determination”.
6. The age of sexual consent in Japan is 13 years of age, although prefecture law usually overrides federal law raising the age up to 18.
7. In Mexico the federal law varies according to the age gap between partners and is often overruled by regional laws.
8. In Papua New Guinea, anal sex is illegal in all cases. The age of consent for vaginal sex is 16 for females and 14 for males.
9. Paraguay sets the age of consent at 14 within marriage and 16 outside of marriage.
10. The age of sexual consent in the Philippines is 12 for all, but contacts with minors (under 1 are an offence if the minor consents to the act for money, gain or any other remuneration or as the result of an influence of any adult person.
11. In Portugal it is illegal to perform vaginal intercourse with a minor between 14 and 16 years old “by taking advantage of their inexperience”.
12. In some U.S. states a lower age applies when the age gap between partners is small, or when the older partner is below a certain age (usually 18 or 21).