Education & Matrimony

Is child marriage linked to education level in Pakistan?

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Answer

Direct answer

Yes, child marriage is strongly associated with education level in Pakistan’s survey profiles: prevalence is substantially higher among women with less education and much lower among those with higher education. Education may delay marriage by keeping girls in school, while household wealth, location, opportunity, and social norms influence both outcomes. Child marriage can also interrupt schooling, so the relationship works in more than one direction. The association identifies concentrated disadvantage; it does not prove education alone causes the difference.

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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