First, let us look at the various types of relationships, terms and global legal recognition. There are many terms related to relationships involving multiple partners. Polyamory relates to a relationship similar to boyfriend or girlfriend status with numerous partners. At the same time, polygamy traditionally refers to marriage, a legal relationship between a man and multiple female wives. Polyandry is the term used for when a woman is married to multiple male partners. The term bigamy is used to describe a person who marries when already married to another person. Most countries worldwide recognise marriage as a commitment and relationship between two people at any given time. Marrying someone when they are already married would require those involved to divorce or terminate any previous marriages; not doing so would be considered illegal. So, in terms of marriage, it often comes down to the laws that exist within any given country. In 2020, 46 countries legally recognised polygamy or a marriage between a man and multiple women:

• 20% (forty-six) of all countries around the world allow polygamy
• 2% (four) of all the countries that allow polygamy only permit it when the marriage relates to individuals that identify as Muslim
• 54% are from African countries, 43% from Asian countries, and only one (or 2%) are from Oceania
• None of the countries that permit polygamy also recognise same-sex unions, partnerships or marriages
• The remaining 183 countries (78%) classify polygamy as a crime, in which individuals would likely be prosecuted under the law
• The forty-size countries that allow polygamy are Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon, the Gambia, Guinea, Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, the Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, the Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Zambia
• The four countries that allow polygamy for practising Muslims are India, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore

Many countries that legally recognise polygamy are either Islamic countries or have large populations of Muslims, as polygamy still exists in many religions and practices. Sunni and Shia Muslim men can marry up to four wives, subject to strict rules. Mormon, Buddhism, Evangelical Lutherans and Hindu faiths all allow polygamy. However, it is subject to the country where the individuals are located as to whether it is legally recognised. Should any country that currently permits polygamous marriages also recognise same-sex unions, partnerships or marriages, it might be possible for LGBTQ+ individuals to marry in a similar way. If the law were applied without restrictions, then technically, LGBTQ+ individuals would be legally permitted to form polygamous marriages with their multiple partners.