PREVALENCE AND DETERMINANTS OF CHILD MARRIAGE IN BANGLADESH: A STUDY ON 2007 BANGLADESH DEMOGRAPHIC AND HEALTH SURVEY

Child marriage –defined by UNICEF as marriage before age 18 –is a reality for millions of women. This study explores the prevalence and determinants of child marriage in Bangladesh using 2007 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey data. Both quantitative and qualitative statistical techniques were employed in this study. Overall, the prevalence of child marriage among women aged 20-49 were 82% in Bangladesh. The prevalence was higher in rural than urban areas. The both birth and marriage cohorts of women indicate that child marriage has reduced over time. The multivariate logistic regression analyses yielded quantitatively important and reliable estimates of the risk of child marriage. The rural women were significantly more likely to be married as a child than urban women. Women’s education appeared as the most single significant determinant of child marriage. The other factors identified to have significant relationship with child marriage are religion, place of region and wealth index. Education is the most viable means for raising females’ age at marriage. Remaining girls in schooling for extended period, poverty alleviation and proper implementation of the ordinance of age at first marriage may further reduce child marriage in Bangladesh.