Politics · India Bureau
India makes progress on child marriage, but millions of girls still vulnerable
Despite significant improvements over recent decades, India is home to one in three child brides globally, with experts warning that regional disparities mask the true scale of the challenge as the 2030 target to eliminate the practice approaches.
LSN India ·
India has made substantial strides in reducing child marriage, with prevalence dropping from over 50 per cent in 1996 to just above 20 per cent today. However, the nation continues to account for a disproportionate share of the world's child marriages, with one in five young Indian women married before reaching 18 years of age, according to data highlighted on International Day of the Girl Child.
Experts have cautioned against interpreting national averages as a sign of uniform progress across the country. The problem remains acute in several states, with five regions—Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh—accounting for more than half of all child marriages nationally, according to UNICEF and government figures.
The disparity underscores the need for targeted interventions, as states like Kerala and Lakshadweep have demonstrated that progress is possible through sustained efforts. With the global 2030 target for eliminating child marriage drawing closer, advocates stress the importance of continued investment in girls' education, health and rights throughout adolescence to keep vulnerable young women in school and away from early marriage.