What Is The Legal Marriage Age Around The World?

Have you ever wondered what the legal marriage age is in different corners of the world? In some places, you can say "I do" at 14, while in others, you’ll have to wait until 21. This striking contrast raises important questions about how marriageable age is determined and the forces shaping these laws. Cultural traditions, historical influences, and global human rights standards all play a role in defining the legal age for marriage, but despite efforts to create uniformity, discrepancies remain. 

In this article, let’s dive into the surprising differences in marriageable ages across countries, the cultural and legal factors that shape them, and why the fight against child and forced marriages is more important than ever.

Marriageable Age Across South Asia

In South Asia, marriageable ages are a significant issue. The legal marriage age for girls is set at 18 in most countries, including Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Bhutan. However, Afghanistan, which follows Sharia law, allow girls to marry at 15 and 16.

A 2017 study by the Department of Geography at the University of Cambridge found staggering statistics: 59% of women in Bangladesh, 27% in India, 37%  in Nepal, and 21% in Pakistan marry before the age of 18. Even after reaching 18, many women in these countries continue to marry at a young age, facing the same challenges as those who marry during adolescence.

Legal Marriageable Ages in Europe

In the European Union, the standard minimum legal age for marriage is set at 18. However, exceptions are common, allowing minors to marry with parental or judicial consent. In countries like Poland, Serbia, Ukraine, and Moldova, the legal marriageable age is 16, but it requires court or parental approval. These laws allow for marriage at 16 under specific conditions in each country.

Georgia sets the legal marriage age at 18 but allows exceptions for individuals aged 17 with specific conditions. These laws reflect the ongoing challenge of enforcing legal marriageable ages across Europe, as child marriages remain prevalent despite legal safeguards.

Marriageable Age in Africa

Across Africa, the marriageable age tends to range from 16 to 18 years. Countries like Algeria, Cameroon, and Senegal set the age of consent for marriage at 16, while Burkina Faso, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo set it at 18. 

However, there are some exceptions, as seen in Angola, where the legal marriageable age is as low as 14, though strict conditions are applied. In Niger, the legal age of consent for heterosexual marriage is 13, but for same-sex relationships, it is significantly higher at 21. This contrast highlights the variations in marriageable age laws across the continent, often influenced by local customs and beliefs.

Marriageable Age in the United States

In the United States, marriage laws are determined by individual states, with the general marriageable age set at 18. However, exceptions exist in states like Nebraska, where the legal age is 19, and Mississippi and Puerto Rico, where the minimum marriage age is 21. In most states, minors can marry with parental or judicial consent, lowering the legal age for marriage.

The Exceptions: Countries With No Legal Minimum Age

According to the Pew Research Center, the majority of countries around the world have laws specifying the minimum marriage age. However, there are some exceptions, such as in Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen, where no legal minimum age is set. Even in countries with legal minimum ages, child marriages continue to occur. In countries like Albania, Bulgaria, and Pakistan, underage girls are often married before reaching the legal age, sometimes with consent from their families or communities.

In Figures

According to the same research, 96% of countries have laws specifying a marriageable age, but many allow exceptions, particularly for girls. In 73 countries, marriageable ages are set, but exceptions for minors exist, and in 102 countries, the information is unclear or not properly enforced. 

Sources: Pew Research Center, UNICEF, U.S. State Department, University of Cambridge.