What pushes males to marry underage girls? Demand-side insights of child marriage from northern Bangladesh

Abstract

Child marriage is defined as any marriage involving a person under 18, remains a significant concern in lower- to middle-income countries. Globally, 12 million girls (19 %) marry before 18 each year, with the highest prevalence in West and Central Africa (40 %), followed by Eastern and Southern Africa (32 %), South Asia (28 %), and Latin America (21 %). UNICEF recognizes child marriage as a serious human rights violation, increasing risks of early pregnancy, school dropout, limited career opportunities, and gender-based violence. In Bangladesh, 78.9 % of physically abused women were married before 18. Despite legal ages of 21 for males and 18 for females, one in four girls marries before 16. Determinants include education, religion, economic conditions, and residence, with higher rates in Khulna, Rajshahi, and Rangpur. This study examines demand-side factors, analyzing husbands’ education, poverty status, and employment in northern chars to understand underage marriage and inform policy interventions.