RABAT, MOROCCO – A recent study by Morocco’s Supreme Council of Judicial Authority has revealed a significant increase in polygamy requests over a period of five years, from 2017 to 2021.
Over the five-year period, 20,000 requests for polygamous marriages were recorded, showing a steady rise from 3,711 requests in 2017 to 4,854 requests in 2021. However, these numbers make up just 1.7% of the total marriage requests processed during this period.
Despite the increase in applications, the acceptance rate for such marriages is relatively low. 61% of the polygamy requests were denied, resulting in only 39% of the requests being granted. Consequently, polygamous marriages comprised only 0.66% of total marriage permits issued in Morocco from 2017 to 2021.
Reasons cited for applying for polygamy varied widely. They included the wife’s infertility, health issues preventing the wife from carrying out marital duties, refusal of the wife to join the husband in Morocco if living abroad, upholding children’s interests following a divorce, and pre-existing relationships resulting in pregnancy or the birth of children.
It is worth highlighting that a recent study brought to light an interesting finding: approximately 80% of Moroccans expressed their support for polygamy.
The Moroccan family code permits polygamy under strict conditions. The husband must provide an exceptional justification for the desire to enter into a polygamous marriage. He must also demonstrate the ability to adequately support two families and ensure equality in all aspects of marital life, as per the law.
