- More than 100 million girls in the developing world will be married during the next 10 years.
- Although the definition of child marriage includes boys, most children married under the age of 18 years are girls.
- While the practice has decreased globally over the last 30 years, it remains common in rural areas and among the poorest of the poor.
- In Southern Asia, 48%—nearly 10 million—of girls are married before the age of 18.
- In Africa, 42% of girls were married before turning 18.
- In Latin America and the Caribbean, 29% of girls are married by age 18.
Areas that experience high rates of child marriage are those with:
- High poverty rates, birth rates and death rates
- Greater incidence of conflict and civil strife
- Lower levels of overall development, including schooling, employment, health care
Consequences of child marriage:
- Large spousal age gaps
- Limited social support, due to social isolation
- Limited educational attainment and no schooling options
- Intense pressure to become pregnant
- Increased risk of maternal and infant mortality
- Increased vulnerability to HIV and other STIs
- Restricted social mobility/freedom of movement
- Little access to modern media (TV, radio, newspapers)
- Lack of skills to be viable to the labour market
