Legal status of human sterilization by country

Laws regarding sterilization for contraceptive purposes around the world:

Legal from the age of 18

Legal from the age of 21, 25 or 18 for those with two children

Legal from the age of 25

Legal from the age of 30, 35 or 40

Legal for those with at least 3, 4 or 5 children sometimes with additional age requirements

Illegal

No data

This article's factual accuracy may be compromised due to out-of-date information. The reason given is: The map is outdated, it shows laws in countries that are no longer in effect. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (February 2025)

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This article provides an overview of human sterilization by country. While many countries permit voluntary sterilization for contraceptive purposes, some permit it only for medical or eugenic purposes. Additional restrictions may include minimum age, parental or spousal consent.[1]

Country  | Compulsory | Voluntary for contraceptive purposes  | Notes

|
|
|

Albania  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  |
Andorra  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  | Yes[1] | Since 1996
Argentina  |  | Yes[2] | As of 2009
Australia  |  | Yes[1] | Since 1977
Austria  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  | Yes[1] | 25+ years for contraceptive purposes. Since 1974
Bahamas  |  | Yes[2] | As of 2009
Bangladesh  | For refugees  | Yes[1] |
Belarus  |  | Yes[1]

[1]

| 35+years or at least two children
Belgium  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  |  |
Belize  |  | Yes[2] | As of 2009
Bosnia and Herzegovina  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  |  |
Botswana  |  | Yes[1] |
Brazil  | Illegal in most cases, although both the US and Brazilian governments have carried out sterilisation of Brazilians in the 20th and 21st centuries under various rationales  | Yes[1][2] | 21+ years or <21 with two children for contraceptive purposes. Since 2022
Canada  | Varies per province; sterilisations particularly of indigenous individuals performed in the 20th and 21st centuries  | Yes[1] | Since 1979
Cape Verde  |  | Yes[2] | As of 2009
Chile  |  | Yes[1] | Since 2001
China  | De juris illegal | Yes[1] |
Colombia  |  | Yes[1] | Since 1984
Comoros  |  | Yes[2] | As of 2009
Costa Rica  |  | Yes[1] | Since 1999
Côte d'Ivoire  |  | Yes[2] | As of 2009
Croatia  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  | Yes[1] | 35+ for contraceptive purposes. Since 1978
Cuba  |  | Yes[1] | 32+ years with several children for contraceptive purposes. Since 1968
Cyprus  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  |  |
Czech Republic  |  | Yes[1] | 21+ years for contraceptive reasons. Since 2012
Denmark  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  | Yes[1] | 25+ years for contraceptive reasons. Since 1976
Dominican Republic  |  | Yes[1] | 40+ years with one child, 35+ with three children, 30+ with five children or 25+ with six children for contraceptive purposes. Since 1972
Ecuador  |  | Yes[1] | 25+ years with three children for contraceptive purposes. Since 1992
El Salvador  |  | Yes[1] | Since 1979
Estonia  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  | Yes[3] | 35+years or at least 3 children. Since 1998
Fiji  |  | Yes[1] |
Finland  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  | Yes[1] | 30+ years or <30 years and three children for contraceptive purposes. Since 1985
France  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  | Yes[1] | Since 2001
Georgia  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  | Yes[2] | As of 2009
Germany  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  | Yes[1] |
Ghana  |  | Yes[1] |
Greece  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  |  |
Guatemala  |  | No[1] |
Honduras  |  | Yes[1] | 35+ years with one child or 24–43 with three children for contraceptive purposes.
Hungary  |  | Yes[4] | 40+ years or three children
Iceland  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  | Yes[1] | 25+ years for contraceptive purposes
India  |  | Yes[1] | 20+ (women) or 25+ (men) years for contraceptive purposes, less if couple has two children. Spousal consent and has to have had one child that is a year old
Indonesia  |  | Yes[1] |
Iran  |  | No  | In 2021 sterilization was prohibited except for medical purposes.[5]
Ireland  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  |  |
Israel  |  | Yes[1] |
Italy  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  | Yes[1] |
Japan  |  | No[1] | Current law since 1996. In practice, contraceptive sterilizations are performed routinely, with health reasons given as the justification.[1]
Kenya  |  | Yes[1] |
Kyrgyzstan  |  | Yes[6] |
Latvia  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  |  |
Lesotho  |  | Yes[1] |
Liechtenstein  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  | Yes[1] | 25+ years for contraceptive purposes.
Lithuania  |  | No[7] |
Luxembourg  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  | Yes[1] |
Mali  |  | Yes[2] | As of 2009
Malaysia  |  | No  | According to 1981 fatwa sterilization is forbidden for men and women. Temporary contraceptive methods may be permitted for health and economic reasons.[8]
Malta  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  |  |
Mexico  |  | Yes[1] |
Moldova  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  | Yes[2] | As of 2009
Monaco  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  |  |
Mongolia  |  | Yes[1] | Woman must have many[quantify] children
Montenegro  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  |  |
Morocco  |  | Yes[2] | As of 2009
Myanmar  |  | No[1] | Since 1963
Namibia  |  | Yes[2] | As of 2009
Nepal  |  | Yes[1] |
Netherlands  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  | Yes[1] |
New Zealand  |  | Yes[1] |
Nicaragua  |  | Yes[1] |
Niger  |  | Yes[1] | 35+ years with four children for contraceptive purposes.
Nigeria  |  | Yes[1] |
North Macedonia  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  | Yes[2] | As of 2009
Norway  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  | Yes[1] | 25+ years for contraceptive purposes
Pakistan  |  | Yes[1] |
Panama  |  | Yes[1] | Five children for contraceptive purposes.
Paraguay  |  | Yes[1] |
Peru  |  | Yes[1] |
Philippines  |  | Yes[1] |
Poland  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  | No  | Reproductive sterilisation of men (vasectomy) is legal in Poland, while other sterilization methods have been defined as a criminal act since 1997[9]: 19 and remains so as of 5 September 2019[update], under Article 156 §1, which also covers making someone blind, deaf or mute, of the 1997 law.[10]: 64 The original 1997 law punished contraventions with a prison sentence of one to ten years[9] and the updated law as of 5 September 2019[update] sets a prison sentence of at least 3 years.[10] The prison sentence is a maximum of three years if the sterilisation is involuntary, under Art. 156 §2.[9][10]: 64
Portugal  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  | Yes[1] | 25+ years for contraceptive purposes.
Romania  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  | Yes[1] |
Russia  |  | Yes[1] | 35+ years or <35 with two children.
San Marino  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  |  |
| Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  |  |
Singapore  |  | Yes[1] |
Slovenia  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  | Yes[1] | 35+ years for contraceptive purposes
Rwanda  |  | No[1] |
Saudi Arabia  |  | No[1] |
Senegal  |  | Yes[2] | As of 2009
Slovak Republic  |  | Yes[2] | As of 2009
South Africa  |  | Yes[1] |
South Korea  |  | Yes[1] | Since 1973
Spain  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  | Yes[1] |
Sri Lanka  |  | Yes[1] |
Sudan  |  | No[1] | Since 1990
Sweden  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  | Yes[1] | 25+ years for contraceptive purposes; 18–25 for eugenic, health (women only) or sex change reasons.
Switzerland  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  | Yes[1] |
Taiwan  |  | Yes[1] | Since 1984
Tanzania  |  | Yes[1] |
Thailand  |  | Yes[1] |
Trinidad and Tobago  |  | Yes[1] |
Tunisia  |  | Yes[1] | Since 1973. At least four children required.
Turkey  |  | Yes[1] | Since 1983
Uganda  |  | Yes[1] | Since 1993
Ukraine  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  |  |
United Arab Emirates  |  | No  | Women can opt for sterilisation if they have had "any medical illness that could endanger their life in future due to pregnancy".[11]
United Kingdom  | Illegal since 2014 when the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence came into effect  | Yes[1] |
United States  |  | Yes[1] |
Uruguay  |  | Yes[2] | As of 2009
Venezuela  |  | No[1] | Since 1971
Vietnam  |  | Yes[1] | Since 1989
Zambia  |  | Yes[1] | Since 1965
Zimbabwe  |  | Yes[1] | Since 1985

## See also

[edit]

* compulsory sterilization § By country

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb EngenderHealth (2002). "4". Contraceptive sterilization : global issues and trends. John A. Ross. New York, NY: EngenderHealth. ISBN 1-885063-31-8. OCLC 49322541.
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Reproductive Health Laws Around the World
3. ^ "Raseduse katkestamise ja steriliseerimise seadus". Riigiteataja. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
4. ^ "Year 1997. CLIV. Hungarian law about healthcare".
5. ^ Iran: Population Law Violates Women’s Rights, 10 November 2021
6. ^ "Law of the Kyrgyz Republic on the protection of citizens' health in the Kyrgyz Republic".
7. ^ "2016–2017 Human Rights in Lithuania" (PDF). "Lithuania has not legalized voluntary surgical sterilization, as a family planning method"
8. ^ "Reproductive rights: Malaysia" (PDF). p. 94.
9. ^ a b c "553 Ustawa z dnia 6 czerwca 1997 r. – Kodeks karny" [553 Law of 6 June 1997 – Criminal code] (PDF). Sejm. 6 June 1997. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 September 2019. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
10. ^ a b c "Ustawa z dnia 6 czerwca 1997 r. – Kodeks karny – Opracowano na podstawie t.j. Dz. U. z 2018 r. poz. 1600, 2077, z 2019 r. poz. 730, 858, 870, 1135, 1579" [Law of 6 June 1997 – Criminal code – Updated on the basis of Dz. U. 2018 parts 1600, 2077, and Dz. U. 2019 parts 730, 858, 870, 1135, 1579] (PDF). Sejm. 5 September 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 September 2019. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
11. ^ Muslim, Nina (2 April 2008). "Women now able to undergo sterilisation at private hospitals". gulfnews.com. Retrieved 17 December 2021.

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