Age & Marriage

How does age at marriage relate to age at first birth in Pakistan?

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Answer

Direct answer

Earlier marriage generally creates earlier exposure to first birth, and Pakistan DHS data shows first birth follows marriage for most women. In 2017–18, median age at first marriage was 20.4 and median age at first birth was 22.8 among women aged 25–49. Median first-birth age was 23.4 in urban areas versus 22.5 in rural areas, and 21.4 among women with no education versus 24.0 with secondary education. These are associations shaped by contraception, fertility, education and social expectations.

21.4 vs 24.0median first-birth age with no education versus secondary education
Evidence

Sources used

National Survey · 2019

Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2017–18

National Institute of Population Studies and The DHS Program

National survey evidence for marriage timing, women, households and health indicators.View source
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