Minimum Legal Age of Consent - Female

This map shows the female legal age of consent for heterosexual sex in different countries around the world. The age of consent is the age at which a young person is legally able to understand and agree to consensual sex. In most countries, until you reach this age it is illegal for somebody to have sex with you, however old they may be. Sometimes the law is slightly different when the partners are of a similar age, but there is usually still a minimum age below which sex is always illegal.

The major reason given for these laws is to protect young people, often called "minors," from exploitation. Some age of consent laws also prohibit showing pornography to minors. Some laws also could be considered benificial because they prohibit giving drugs (such as alcohol) to minors.

The age of consent differs in every state, and in every country. Globally, the age of consent ranges from 12 years of age to 21

Average age: 16 years

The age of consent laws also are contingent upon various factors, such as the type of sexual activity, the relationship between the two parties, the age and sex of both parties, and other specifics. Some states allow sex for those who are legally married, even though they are below the state's consent age.