Survey: Fewer Girls Below The Age Of 18 Getting Married

In India, the widely known SRS, Sample Registration Survey is the largest demographic survey in the world. It covers a population of around 7.9 million in total.

In a recent note, the findings of the survey were delighting. It has shown some reduction in the number of females who get married below the age of 18 years. According to the recent survey, in 2017, the all India percentage of women who tied the knot below the age of 18 years was 2.3%. Fortunately, this percentage was less than that of the census count of 3.7% in 2011.

During the 2011 census, the percentage of rural women who got married below the age of 18 years was recorded at 4.4%. However, in the recent survey, the percentage was calculated at 2.6%.

Rural and urban divide

During the 2011 census, the percentage of rural women who got married below the age of 18 years was recorded at 4.4%. However, in the recent survey, the percentage was calculated at 2.6%. If we take the urban scenario into account, the percentage of women who get married below 18 remains on the standstill that is at 1.7%.

The national mean age

In the year 2017, the national mean age of females who got married was 22.1 years old. It varied from 21.7 years in rural areas while being at 23.1 years in the urban areas. The census of 2011 has recorded the mean age of marriage in total at 21.2 years.

Talking about individual states, some states have shown phenomenal growth in increasing the number of females who get married above the age of 18. However, there are a few states that aren't able to make enough progress. For instance, West Bengal, according to the recent Family Health Survey Report, West Bengal topped in instances of child marriages. In the same state, the mean age of females when they get married was 21.2 years. In states like Jammu and Kashmir, the mean age of girls at the time of getting married was 25.1 years in 2017.

Read also: Bengal Tops In Child Marriages: Family Health Survey Report

Talking about individual states, some states have shown phenomenal growth in increasing the number of females who get married above the age of 18. However, there are a few states that aren't able to make enough progress. For instance, West Bengal, according to the recent Family Health Survey Report, West Bengal topped in instances of child marriages. In the same state, the mean age of females when they get married was 21.2 years. In states like Jammu and Kashmir, the mean age of girls at the time of getting married was 25.1 years in 2017.

The survey found out that 63.7% of India's females get married when they attain the age of more than 21 years. In the census of 2011, this figure was recorded as 52.2%.

Findings of the SRS survey

The survey found out that 63.7% of India's females get married when they attain the age of more than 21 years. In the census of 2011, this figure was recorded as 52.2%. There is also a good variation in the number of rural women who get married beyond the age of 21 years. It was calculated at 59.2% in the findings of the Sample Registration Survey while it was 46.1% during census 2011. The scenario in urban areas has also shown some advancement. The percentage of women aged over 21 at effective marriage grew to 73.6% from 68.7% in the 2011 census.

States showing positive developments

As per the Sample Registration Survey of 2017, the number of females who get married below 18 years in Delhi was recorded at 0.4%. The second in the list is Karnataka with a count of 1.3%.

Read also: D Rekha, A Bonded Labourer And Child Bride, Speaks Against Social Evils

Image credit: UNICEF

Udisha Srivastav is an intern with SheThePeople.Tv