Most Girls in India Marry After 18, Government Report Finds

Quick Summary

• according to the Sample Registration System (SRS) statistical report 2023, the mean age at effective marriage for females in India is 22.9 years, up from 22.7 in 2022.
• Most girls marry after the age of 18 nationwide, but states like West Bengal (mean age: 21.3), Jharkhand, and chhattisgarh have notable proportions marrying before turning 18.
• The highest mean marriage age is observed in Jammu & Kashmir at 26.3 years.
• Between urban and rural areas, a gap persists: in rural areas, the average marriage age is lower at 22.4 compared to urban areas where it’s substantially higher at 24.3 years.
• From a five-year trend (2019-2023), the mean marriage age for women has steadily risen across both rural and urban regions; however, rural locations consistently lag behind their urban counterparts.
• Nationally:

– Only 2.1% of females marry before turning 18,
– 25% marry between ages 18-20,
– 72.9% marry at or above 21 years.
– urban statistics show lower early marriages (<18) with only 1.2%, compared to rural figures of 2.5%.
– Among bigger states/UTs:
– Highest proportion marrying underage (<18): West Bengal (6.3%)
– Lowest: Kerala (0.1%).

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Indian Opinion Analysis

The SRS statistical report underscores progress toward delaying marriage among Indian women by establishing consistent annual rises in their average marital ages over recent decades-a significant societal shift amidst continued economic evolution and gender-awareness campaigns.

While trends indicate betterment nationwide with most females marrying after adulthood (above age eighteen), disparities persist across socio-economic lines such as state-specific habits or urban-rural divides tied crucially alongside cultural traditions/socioeconomic status inhibiting behaviors provinces make clear! As a notable example persistent enforcement campaigns regional Government Spotlights