Cities & Regions

Why do child-marriage rates vary across Pakistan’s regions?

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Answer

Direct answer

Child-marriage rates vary because education, household wealth, rural access, local institutions, and social conditions are distributed unevenly across Pakistan. Survey profiles report meaningful provincial and regional differences, but rankings can change when sources use different years or thresholds such as before 15 and before 18. A valid comparison must hold the cohort, threshold, and survey design constant. Provincial averages also conceal large district-level and urban-rural differences within the same region.

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
International Organization · 2015

Basic Profile of Child Marriage in Pakistan

World Bank

World Bank research profile on child marriage patterns by socioeconomic and demographic group.View source
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