Marriage Data & Demographics

Is child marriage more common in poorer households?

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Answer

Direct answer

Child marriage is more prevalent in poorer household groups than in wealthier groups in the cited profiles. Household resources can affect school continuation, economic security, exposure to shocks, and the options available to families and girls. Wealth quintiles are survey-relative categories, not permanent labels or direct measures of motivation. The pattern shows unequal risk across the population, but it does not mean poverty automatically leads to child marriage or that wealth eliminates coercion and early unions.

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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