The basic numbers in the list don't always tell the whole story. There is generally a page giving more details (click on the country name). Often in the countries with apparently low ages of consent, there are additional laws covering corruption of minors etc. In some cases there can only be a limited age difference between partners under 18 or 21, which allows younger people to do things with people around their age legally but makes sex between an adult and a child illegal. Countries with lower ages of consent tend to attract "sex tourists" so laws need to be in place to make that sort of thing illegal. |