The map above shows 74 countries and territories that have a ban on corporal punishment for children.
The map below shows countries by where they are in terms of banning corporal punishment for children and was created by End Corporal Punishment.
Sweden became the first country to fully outlaw corporal punishment in 1979.
And as of 2024, a total of 67 countries and several territories have followed suit (as the map above shows).
Below is a full list of all countries and territories with a ban on corporal punishment in order of when they first outlawed it (year in brackets):
- Sweden (1979)
- Finland (1983)
- Austria (1989)
- Cyprus (1994)
- Denmark (1997)
- Poland (1997)
- Latvia (1998)
- Croatia (1999)
- Bulgaria (2000)
- Germany (2000)
- Israel (2000)
- Turkmenistan (2002)
- Iceland (2003)
- Ukraine (2004)
- Romania (2004)
- Hungary (2005)
- Greece (2006)
- Netherlands (2007)
- New Zealand (2007)
- Portugal (2007)
- Uruguay (2007)
- Venezuela (2007)
- Chile (2007)
- Spain (2007)
- Togo (2007)
- Costa Rica (2008)
- Moldova (2008)
- Luxembourg (2008)
- Liechtenstein (2008)
- Norway (2010)
- Tunisia (2010)
- Kenya (2010)
- Congo, Republic of (2010)
- Albania (2010)
- South Sudan (2011)
- North Macedonia (2013)
- Cabo Verde (2013)
- Honduras (2013)
- Malta (2014)
- Brazil (2014)
- Bolivia (2014)
- Argentina (2014)
- San Marino (2014)
- Nicaragua (2014)
- Estonia (2014)
- Andorra (2014)
- Benin (2015)
- Ireland (2015)
- Peru (2015)
- China (2016)
- Mongolia (2016)
- Montenegro (2016)
- Paraguay (2016)
- Aruba (2016)
- Slovenia (2016)
- Lithuania (2017)
- Nepal (2018)
- Kosovo (2019)
- France (2019)
- South Africa (2019)
- Jersey (2019)
- Japan (2020)
- Georgia (2020)
- Scotland (2020)
- Seychelles (2020)
- Guinea (2021)
- Colombia (2021)
- South Korea (2021)
- Wales (2022)
- Cuba (2022)
- Zambia (2022)
- Mauritius (2022)
- Philippines (2023)
- Laos (2023)
- Tajikistan (2024)
You can learn more on the End Corporal Punishment website.
Patrick says
I thought Scotland had also done this (it’s a devolved matter and not the full UK whose laws apply).
Rose says
So if your 7 year old child continuously hits you and nothing else is working, like talking it out or taking away privelages, you shouldn’t be allowed to spank, or at least smack their hand? Each child isnt born as a blank slate and some are more relentless than others dispite how their raised. If occasional light smacking is so harmful then how come all of our grandparents and great grandparents didnt turn out all screwed up?
Erica Gillett says
I believe every upbringing is different. Our grandparents grew up in a different generation, they might of showed a little more respect towards their elders compared to kids this generation. Society has changed over the years, both in negative and positive ways. There are some that get a little carried away with the corporal punishment and don’t know when to stop! There are studies that have shown that years of physical punishment could damage the kids mental health. It’s also teaching a kid that it’s ok to physically hurt someone when you’re upset.
Maire Palme-Tranberg says
Erica, thank you. I am from Finland where a corporal punishment of a child was outlawed in 1983. The image of a full-grown adult with a whip, belt or even a raised hand in front of a defenseless child is truly terrifying especially from the child’s point of view. I am now 77 and still remember the “nowhere-to-hide” helplessness long ago from my childhood. The United States of America – where I live now – has not passed this law according to my information.
ANgus says
A whip? Then you were brought up by monsters! Don’t fling out the baby with the bathwater.
Ronda Ann Brewer says
If someone is going to “take it too far” and abuse a child, the fact that corporal punishment is banned, we NOT deter them!! As a mom of 4 and a grandmother who has made a ton of parenting mistakes, And as a aunt to 9 nieces and nephews, I can look back over the past 30 yrs and see what a negative effect the lack of discipline has had. Today’s young people (28 yrs old on down) for the most part, have no respect for others as well as them self’s!! And you couple our young’s behavior with the fact that we no longer in courage critical thinking in our young, how to function as an adult, such as cooking, changing the oil in their vehicles, how to write a check, etc has been removed. A huge amount of America’s history is no longer taught, and the left has crammed common-core down their throats! And to top it all off, a child in kindergarten and decide they want to be a member of the opposite sex, of insist on being called by another name, and they are encouraged!!
So we have turned our kids into disrespectful idiots, with no self worth or self esteem and purposely sat by while our government dumbed our children down, little by little, and have done NOTHING to stand up for our kids!! And the lack of leadership, corporal punishment and a strong work ethic, is very much needed again !! Keep the government and the liberals from doing this, and return to how we used to teach and parent!!
Olivia says
Children model the behavior of their parents. If he keeps hitting you it’s probably because you or someone else smacked/hit him. You want to smack him to teach him that hitting people is wrong. How backward. Try inductive discipline and maybe therapy instead of continuing a cycle of violence.
Dave says
Generally, it’s the children of violence who are conscious to be kind later in life. It’s the psychopath families that have the violent tradition. I think your psychology is ass backwards and shows lineal thinking.
Scotsman says
The monsters who beat their children will still beat their children, law or not, previously they would have been prosecuted anyway. Now loving parents are not allowed to deliver a measured and controlled smack when a child has crossed the line. All we’ve done – as ususal – is criminalise the previously legal in order to stop the already illegal. A waste of time.
Victoria Trevor says
Would you find it acceptable to give a light slap to a woman, or to an elderly person? You’d be horrified. Why is a child, arguably the most vulnerable, OK then to be slapped? They need our protection the most.
mom of respectful healthy kids and adults. says
Woman and elderly have the capacity for critical thought. Children, small children on the other hand do not. When we learn. It is based on a common understanding. We no fire is hot and ice is cold. They do not. Until the touch the fire and get burnt. That taught them to not touch the fire again.(should all fire be banned?) I do not believe in hitting your child every time they do something wrong. You talk to them. Get on their level. Explain things. I’m a way a child can grasp. Show example. Make sure they see you doing the things you expect of them. Use incentives and fun and creative tactics. Show examples of what to do. And what not to do. Also, don’t expose them to bad behaviors. In fact, i dont think it needs to be done after the age of 5-6. Because if youve done your job. Then they should be able to learn in a more critical way. Their are different approaches to different offenses. I believe it is the sudden fear that the swat instills. Not the actually pain. I don’t want to hurt my children. I want to equipt them with common sense and critical thought. Not blind delusions that if you don’t want the tornado to hit your house then it won’t. Because I said so. Or that I decided I want to be a boy now. So the whole world must do everything to make it easy on me to do it. With a smile on their face. This shit is why. We need versatile discipline. For a versatile world.
AM says
Men used to slap women often, and even beat them. By your logic, your grand and great grandparents didnt turn out messed up, right?
David MacDiarmid says
Grandma walked beside Grandpa, not in front or behind. The modern skank needs to learn this.
E says
Wales have also.
Angus H says
I’m Scottish and when my child has overstepped the mark I drive an hour down the motorway to Carlisle and then smack their backside. I also use the opportunity to fill up the car with 2for1 booze deals. Another thing that has been banned in Scotland, we seem to be good at that.
John says
South Africa is not there………..how come ????
or Africa
Janice R Klump says
Africa is a continent
Bernt says
According to Wikipedia:
“Common-law precedent in South Africa held that a parent may “inflict moderate and reasonable chastisement” on a child.[43] However, the Department of Social Development prepared legislation to prohibit corporal punishment in the home by 2013;[44] it had already been illegal in schools and the penal system since 1996; and in 2017, all corporal punishment of children by adults became prohibited.[45]”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_corporal_punishment_laws
Wayne says
I just stopped by to say that as of today [18/09/2019] corporal punishment has been ruled unconstitutional in South Africa! 😀
George says
I would instead make a list of the normal countries that did not have such a law. In a democratic state it is not of the governments bussiness to decide for parents how to raise their children, this reminds us of autocratic states that gets involved in everyone’s private lives. There are many different – traditional and non traditional – methods of raising children, and a parent should have the right to choose. What was wrong with the approach from govenments before the intiative of Sweden when abuse of children was never allowed but reasonable corporal punishment like spanking was up to the choice of parents ?
chris says
Too right! Why should the nanny state interfere with an individual’s right to assault someone. If I want to slap my neighbour or spank my kid, that’s nobody’s business but my own!
Rosemarie Markell says
If a mild occasional smack (like for if your child hits you and nothing else works) messes kids up then why aren’t all our great grandparents messed up?
Your mom says
Smoking didn’t kill most of our grandparents either. I guess we should all do that too.
Emiliano says
They fought two world wars and you believe they weren’t messed up?
David MacDiarmid says
They were not messed up, they had a strong grip on reality.
Vivien says
Oh dear, why would you condone doing what you like with kids? After all children are daily beaten, sexually abused neglected and starved. Perhaps you came from a delightful home where rationality reigned supreme not the case for every child so lucky you
moa westman says
i love hiting my children
David says
Nice, now do abortion.
David MacDiarmid says
nice comment!
Stephanie Burton says
Let’s check back in and see how society is doing with this a little down the road.
Evil Michal says
Why isn’t there Czech Republic?
David MacDiarmid says
Cause czech school teachers smack kids with rulers.
Ranju Sarkar says
The countries which did it lately should have done in 70s,80s or latest by 90s
Jamin says
Nepal just recently banned corporal punishment on September 2018 making it 54 countries now.
https://endcorporalpunishment.org/reports-on-every-state-and-territory/nepal/
James K Moore says
I think you’re being a bit disingenuous with the heavily coated sarcasm!!!!
vijay says
In India it became illegal in year 2000.
Aman kumar says
Why not india in the list??
Kelly says
Whoever is reading this,,, Kenya 🇰🇪 is on the list of countries that outlawed corporal punishment but let me say THAT IS NOT THE TRUTH ON THE GROUND most schools embrace it fully,,,,,, including KABARNET HIGH SCHOOL where teachers have formed the so called “”FLYING SQUAD”” which deals in beating school law breakers,,,,,,,,,,,I’m not against punishing wrong doers but trust me the way there doing it is so INHUMANE,,,,,for example on 11th March 2020 there was a mass punishment to the students who failed the exams,,,,,and trust me when I say everyone got 25STROKES that’s enough to ruin your buttocks
Netra Lulla says
That’s scary, corporal punishment.
A says
Why ain’t Canada on there I mean isn’t Canada about respect or at least just do parts of Canada
PN says
The map incorrectly displays the island of Ireland rather than the country of Ireland.
Stuart H says
If children are to given the normal rights of adults – as in no corporal punishment – then this must come with the normal rights of responsibility. No getting off with things because they are under the age of criminal responsibility. They must be treated the same as adults. I can already hear the squealing when we start locking up 7 year olds for assault and vandalism.
No? Thought not. Children are a special case or they’re not, make your mind up.