Child Marriage Laws: Age Requirements & Countries Where It Occurs

The legal marriage age is 18 in most countries. However, some nations permit marriage at younger ages with parental consent or court approval. Countries where a 15-year-old boy and 14-year-old girl may legally marry include:

• Afghanistan
• Bangladesh
• Guinea
• Iran
• Iraq
• Maldives
• Niger
• Pakistan
• Saudi Arabia
• Senegal
• Somalia
• Sudan
• Yemen

Requirements vary: some mandate parental consent, others require judicial authorization.

Consequences of Child Marriage

Child marriage is a human rights violation with severe impacts on girls:

• Health risks: anemia, malnutrition, STIs, complications from early pregnancy.
• Education loss: school dropout limits future opportunities.
• Increased domestic violence risk.
• Forced child labor.
• Social isolation from peers and community.

Global efforts aim to eliminate child marriage through legal reform, education, and empowerment programs.