Polygamy is not usual in modern societies. Approximately 2% of the global population lives in polygamous households [1], and roughly 75% of the world's population lives in countries where polygamy is illegal [2]. Monogamy is the dominant legal and social norm across Europe, the Americas, East Asia, Australia, and most of the developed world.

Where polygamy does persist, it is heavily concentrated in specific regions. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for the highest prevalence globally, with countries like Burkina Faso, Mali, and Gambia reporting rates between 30% and 36% [1]. However, even in countries where polygamy is legally permitted—including many in the Middle East and parts of Asia under Sharia law—actual practice is often infrequent. In nations such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Egypt, fewer than 1% of men live with more than one spouse [1].

Polygyny (one man with multiple wives) is far more common than polyandry (one woman with multiple husbands). Practice varies significantly by urban versus rural setting and by socioeconomic status, generally being more common in rural areas and among less-educated or traditional communities. Prevalence also declines with higher female education and urbanization.

It is important to distinguish formal polygamy—legally or religiously recognized marriage to multiple spouses—from consensual non-monogamous relationship forms such as polyamory or open relationships, which are informal and lack legal marriage recognition. While public awareness of consensual non-monogamy has grown in some Western societies, legal recognition of polygamous marriage remains uncommon and broad public support is limited.

International human rights bodies, including the United Nations Human Rights Committee, generally oppose institutionalized polygamy on grounds that it violates equality in marriage and can discriminate against women and harm children.