December 24, 2006

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Residents of the Netherlands overwhelmingly support allowing same-sex partners to marry, according to the Eurobarometer conducted by TNS Opinion & Social. 82 per cent of Dutch respondents agree with homosexual marriages being sanctioned throughout Europe.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Residents of the Netherlands overwhelmingly support allowing same-sex partners to marry, according to the Eurobarometer conducted by TNS Opinion & Social. 82 per cent of Dutch respondents agree with homosexual marriages being sanctioned throughout Europe.

Sweden is second on the list with 71 per cent, followed by Denmark with 69 per cent, Belgium with 62 per cent, Luxembourg with 58 per cent, Spain with 56 per cent, and Germany and the Czech Republic with 52 per cent each. In the remaining European Union (EU) member states, acceding countries and candidate countries, support for same-sex marriage does not reach the 50 per cent mark.

Romania had the lowest level of backing for same-sex marriage at 11 per cent, with Latvia at 12 per cent, Cyprus at 14 per cent, and Greece and Bulgaria at 15 per cent each.

Same-sex marriage is currently legal in the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Canada and South Africa, and at least 18 countries offer some form of legal recognition to same sex unions.

Public backing is lower for authorizing the adoption of children by homosexual couples throughout Europe. The Netherlands and Sweden are the only nations where at least half of all respondents agree with the proposal.

Polling Data

Do you agree with homosexual marriages being allowed throughout Europe? Do you agree with authorizing the adoption of children for homosexual couples throughout Europe?
("Agree" answers listed)

	Marriage	Adoption
European Union	44%	32%
Netherlands	82%	69%
Sweden	71%	51%
Denmark	69%	44%
Belgium	62%	43%
Luxembourg	58%	39%
Spain	56%	43%
Germany	52%	42%
Czech Republic	52%	24%
Austria	49%	44%
France	48%	35%
Britain	46%	33%
Finland	45%	24%
Ireland	41%	30%
Italy	31%	24%
Slovenia	31%	17%
Portugal	29%	19%
Estonia	21%	14%
Slovakia	19%	12%
Hungary	18%	13%
Malta	18%	7%
Lithuania	17%	12%
Poland	17%	7%
Greece	15%	11%
Bulgaria	15%	12%
Cyprus	14%	10%
Latvia	12%	8%
Romania	11%	8%

Source: TNS Opinion & Social / Eurobarometer
Methodology: Interviews with 29,152 people ages 15 and over in the 25 European Union (EU) member nations, two acceding countries, two candidate countries and the Turkish Cypriot Community, conducted from Sept. 6 to Oct. 10, 2006. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.

Complete Report (PDF)