New data: Dramatic increase in girls’ age of marriage
Marriages at later ages was a micro-trend that I was brought to my attention over a year ago. Later data supports this continuing trend. So what does it mean for communities where raising a family at an early age is expected?
(source: Gap Minder)
There are large differences across the world in the age at the first marriage for girls. Some regions have experienced a dramatic increase. This can be seen in the new dataset compiled by Gapminder. Arab women who used to marry very early, now marry later and later. Today a couple is expected to have their own place to live as married. Hence, many families are forced to save for a long time before the young ones are able to marry. This social norm is a relative new phenomenon and is a major explanation for the increased marriage age.
