Age & Marriage

How common is marriage before 15 compared with marriage before 18?

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Answer

Direct answer

Among Pakistani women aged 20–24 in the 2017–18 survey data, about 3.6% had married before age 15 and 18.3% before age 18. The second figure includes the first group, so the two percentages must not be added. Marriage before 15 identifies very early unions, while marriage before 18 is the broader child-marriage indicator. Both figures describe a completed threshold for a defined cohort and survey period, not a live annual rate.

3.6%women aged 20–24 married before 15
18.3%women aged 20–24 married before 18
Evidence

Sources used

International Organization · 2022

Statistical Profile on Child Marriage: Pakistan

UNICEF Data

UNICEF profile derived mainly from DHS 2017–18, including prevalence, burden and interpretation notes.View source
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