Age Structure
Age of Majority by Country 2026
Age of Majority
16
16.5
17
17.5
18
18.5
19
19.5
20
20.5
21
- Mozambique currently has a draft law in government, submitted July 2025, that seeks to lower the age of majority in the country from 21 to 18.
Age of Majority The legally recognized age at which a person becomes an adult and gains full legal rights and responsibilities.
Most Countries Set the Age of Majority at 18
Most countries in the world recognize 18 as the legal age of adulthood. At this age, individuals typically gain full legal rights and responsibilities, including the ability to sign contracts, vote, marry without parental approval in many jurisdictions, and make independent legal decisions.
The consistency is striking across regions. Countries throughout Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Oceania overwhelmingly use 18 as the age of majority, making it one of the most globally standardized legal thresholds in modern society.
Some Countries Set the Age of Majority Higher or Lower Than 18
While 18 is the global norm, a small number of countries use different legal thresholds for adulthood. Several countries, including Mozambique, Kuwait, Cameroon, and the United Arab Emirates, set the age of majority at 21. Thailand and New Zealand use 20, while South Korea and Algeria recognize adulthood at 19.
A handful of countries establish legal adulthood earlier than 18. Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Cuba all set the age of majority at 16, while North Korea and Timor-Leste use 17. These differences often reflect historical legal systems, cultural expectations, and local definitions of independence and responsibility.
