Child Marriage Rate Drops In India: National Family Health Survey

India has recorded a further decline in child marriage, according to the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6), offering fresh evidence of gradual social change across the country despite persistent challenges in several regions.

The survey found that the percentage of women aged 20-24 years who were married before the legal age of 18 has fallen from 23.3 per cent in NFHS-5 (2019-21) to 20.1 per cent in NFHS-6 (2023-24). The decline reflects continuing improvements in female education, awareness, economic opportunities and government interventions aimed at delaying marriage among girls.

For men aged 25-29, 15.9% had married before 21, the legal age, showing a similar downward trend. The rural-urban divide remains significant. In 2019-21, 27% of rural women and 14.7% of urban women had married before 18. For men, 19% in rural areas married before 21, compared to 9.7% in urban areas. In NFHS-5, these figures were 21.1% in rural India and 11.3% in urban India.

While the latest figures indicate progress, the data also reveal that one in every five young women in India was still married before turning 18, underscoring the scale of the challenge that remains.

Child marriage has long been recognised as one of India's most pressing social issues due to its impact on education, health, nutrition and economic empowerment. Girls who marry early are more likely to discontinue their studies, face early pregnancies and experience poorer health outcomes compared to women who marry later.

The NFHS-6 findings suggest that social attitudes towards girls' education and marriage are gradually changing across many parts of the country. Rising school enrolment among girls, increased access to higher education and expanding employment opportunities have been identified as major factors contributing to the decline.

Experts also point to growing awareness campaigns and government welfare programmes aimed at keeping girls in school. Initiatives promoting secondary education, financial incentives for girls' education and stricter enforcement of laws against child marriage have played an important role in reducing early marriages over the years.

The survey data indicate that urban India continues to perform better than rural areas on this indicator. Child marriage remains more prevalent in rural regions, where economic hardship, traditional social practices and lower educational attainment continue to influence family decisions regarding marriage.

Researchers note that poverty remains one of the strongest drivers of child marriage. In many economically vulnerable households, early marriage is often viewed as a way to reduce financial burden or ensure perceived social security for daughters. As a result, improvements in income levels, social welfare coverage and educational access are considered crucial for sustaining progress.

The decline in child marriage is closely linked with improvements in other social indicators highlighted in NFHS-6. Female literacy has increased significantly, while internet usage among women has nearly doubled over the past few years. The proportion of women who own and operate bank accounts has also risen sharply, indicating broader gains in financial and social empowerment.

Public health experts argue that delaying marriage can have a direct impact on maternal and child health outcomes. Women who marry later are generally more likely to receive adequate healthcare, complete their education and make informed decisions regarding family planning and child nutrition.

The survey also recorded improvements in fertility-related indicators. India's Total Fertility Rate has declined further, while the adoption of modern family planning methods has increased. Experts believe these trends are interconnected with delayed marriages and improved reproductive health awareness.

However, campaigners working in the field of child rights caution that progress remains uneven across states. Several districts continue to report high levels of child marriage, particularly in economically disadvantaged and socially vulnerable communities. They stress that legal measures alone are insufficient and must be supported by education, community engagement and economic development initiatives.

The findings come as India continues efforts to strengthen protections for girls and improve gender equality. Policymakers have increasingly emphasised the importance of investing in adolescent health, education and skill development as part of broader social development goals.

While the latest NFHS-6 data show that child marriage is steadily declining, experts say the numbers also serve as a reminder that millions of girls remain vulnerable to early marriage. Sustained efforts involving schools, local communities, healthcare systems and government agencies will be essential if India is to eliminate the practice entirely in the coming years.

The survey nevertheless offers a positive signal that social attitudes are changing and that more girls today are being given the opportunity to continue their education, delay marriage and pursue greater independence than previous generations.