THE IMPACT OF EDUCATIONAL DIFFERENTIALS ON THE TIMING OF MARRIAGE AMONG WOMEN IN BANGLADESH

Age at marriage is of particular interest because it marks the transition to adulthood. This study aims to examine the impact of educational attainment on the eventual probability of timing of first marriage among women in Bangladesh born during 1944-1987 using data from the last five Bangladesh Demographic and Health Surveys. Cox proportional hazard models were constructed to assess the effect of education on the timing of marriage. The women’s educational attainment has increased over time. The both birth and marriage cohorts indicate that the mean age at first marriage has been increased gradually. The estimated risk ratios and cumulative probabilities of the Cox proportional hazard analyses revealed that the women born in more recent cohorts and those married in the more recent years were significantly more likely to marry later than those born in earlier and married in the early years. The trends and differentials we document in this study reflect delayed marriage due to increased level of education. The factors hidden behind early marriage in Bangladesh are social custom, beliefs, cultural practices, poverty and violation of ordinance of age at first marriage. Any program to reduce early marriage should address the remaining girls in schooling for extended period and poverty alleviation.