When do you become a legal adult?
Enter your birth date to find out your legal status around the world.
The age of majority is the legal threshold when a person is recognized as an adult with full legal rights and responsibilities. Here's a breakdown by country:
| Age | Countries / Regions |
|---|---|
| 16 years | Cuba, Scotland (for some purposes), Indonesia |
| 18 years | USA (most states), UK, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, Spain, Brazil, India, Mexico, South Korea, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Argentina, Chile, South Africa |
| 19 years | South Korea (for some purposes), Alabama & Nebraska (USA) |
| 20 years | Japan (before 2022 reform), Taiwan, Thailand |
| 21 years | Mississippi (USA), Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt, Cameroon |
The age of majority is the legally recognized age at which a person ceases to be a minor and assumes adult rights and responsibilities. This includes the ability to vote, sign contracts, marry without parental consent, and make independent medical decisions.
Different countries set the age of majority based on cultural, historical, and legal traditions. While 18 is the most common age worldwide, some jurisdictions set it higher (21) or lower (16) depending on local customs and legislative decisions.
Note that the age of majority is different from other legal thresholds like the age of consent, drinking age, driving age, or voting age. A person may reach the age of majority but still face restrictions on alcohol consumption or driving, depending on the country.