GITNUXREPORT 2025

Getting Married Young Statistics

Getting married young often leads to higher divorce, poverty, and limited education.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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People who marry young tend to have higher divorce rates within the first 10 years compared to those marrying later

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Early marriage (under age 21) is associated with lower educational attainment, with only 40% completing college compared to 65% of those who marry later

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Couples marrying at age 18-19 are 50% more likely to divorce within 10 years than those who marry at age 25 or older

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Early marriage is linked to higher rates of poverty among women, with 30% living below the federal poverty line

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About 55% of women who marry at age 18-19 have children within the first three years of marriage

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Women who marry early are less likely to have stable employment; only 45% are employed full-time after age 25, compared to 70% of those who marry later

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Approximately 15% of all marriages involving spouses under age 20 end in separation within five years

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Early marriage increases the likelihood of financial dependence on family or government assistance, with 25% of young married women receiving welfare

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Marrying young reduces the likelihood of having a long-term, stable relationship, with only 40% of those married before 20 reporting being happily married after 10 years

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About 42% of women who marry at 20 or younger are not living with their spouse after five years, compared to 22% of women who marry at age 26 or older

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Early marriage correlates with increased mental health issues, with 31% of young married women reporting depression, compared to 16% of women who marry later

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Marrying young is associated with higher rates of domestic violence; about 22% of women married before 20 experience abuse, versus 14% who marry after 25

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Marrying early tends to reduce long-term financial security, with only 35% of women aged 25-30 who married young owning assets, compared to 60% of those married later

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Young marriages are more often characterized by lower relationship satisfaction, with 49% reporting dissatisfaction after five years, versus 30% of those marrying at an older age

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Early marriage is associated with higher dropout rates from secondary school among girls—about 25% do not complete high school

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The likelihood of remarriage after divorce is lower for those who marry early; only 25% remarry within five years, compared to 40% of later-marrying individuals

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Early marriage is associated with reduced access to reproductive health services; only 45% of young married women report using contraception consistently

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About 12% of women who marry before 21 experience regret about their marriage, indicating emotional and psychological impacts

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Early marriage can lead to increased health risks during pregnancy, with complications reported in 23% of young mothers compared to 12% of older mothers

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In some regions, early marriage is linked to increased rates of HIV/AIDS among young women, with prevalence rates of 4% in married girls under 19, versus 1% in older women

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Among women who marry before 20, only 20% participate regularly in decision-making within the household, compared to 55% of those who marry later

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Marriage at a young age is associated with higher dropout rates from vocational training programs among women, with only 35% completing such programs, versus 65% of older married women

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Academic research indicates that early marriage can hinder overall childhood development for those involved, with children in young marriages experiencing more developmental delays

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Society perceives early marriage as contributing to higher rates of adolescent pregnancy, which is around 18% among girls aged 15-19 in the U.S.

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Early marriage is linked to lower fertility rates; women who marry below 20 have an average of 2 children, versus 3 among those marrying after 25

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The social stigma surrounding early marriage decreases as awareness campaigns increase, with a 20% decrease in stigmatization scores over five years in targeted areas

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Legal reforms banning child and early marriage have led to a 10% decrease in early marriage rates in regions where implemented effectively

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In some communities, early marriage is normalized and supported by local leaders, with over 60% approval rating, creating challenges for intervention programs

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Early marriage correlates with lower levels of legal awareness about marriage rights and protections, with only 30% of young brides knowledgeable about legal recourse

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Approximately 20% of marriages begin when the partners are aged 20 or younger

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Around 35% of women in the United States marry before age 23

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Young marriages account for approximately 25% of all marriages in the U.S.

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The median age of first marriage in the U.S. has increased to 30 years for men and 28 years for women, indicating a decrease in early marriages

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Premarital counseling is less common among those who marry young, with only 10% seeking counseling before marriage

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Young couples are less likely to own a home; only 28% of those married before 20 do so within five years, compared to 55% of those married after 25

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Marriages at a young age tend to have higher instances of religious or cultural pressure, with 70% citing such reasons as their motivation to marry early

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Young marriages often have less financial independence, with 65% relying on parental or extended family support, compared to 35% of those who marry later

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Young marriages contribute to gender disparities in education and employment, with women marrying early less likely to pursue higher education, only 30% do so, versus 60% of those who marry later

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The average age difference between spouses in early marriages is approximately 4 years, often leading to power imbalances

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Young married men are more likely to experience unemployment or underemployment—up to 25% compared to 10% for older married men

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Young couples are less likely to participate in joint financial planning; only 15% engage in formal planning before marriage, compared to 45% of older couples

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Marrying young often delays individual financial goals such as purchasing property or saving for retirement, with a median delay of 5 years

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Young marriage is more common among certain ethnic groups, with about 30% of Native American women marrying before age 20

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In some rural areas, the prevalence of early marriage exceeds 50%, significantly impacting local demographics and education

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Economically, young brides are more likely to remain in underpaid or informal employment settings, with 60% working outside formal sectors

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The percentage of early marriages in some countries has declined over the past decade due to increased legal protections and awareness campaigns, with a 15% reduction observed in sub-Saharan Africa

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The rate of marriage under age 18 varies significantly between countries, with some nations reporting rates as high as 45%, indicating cultural influences

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Young marriages are more prevalent in rural areas, with rates reaching up to 58%, versus 25% in urban areas, due to cultural traditions

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Key Highlights

Approximately 20% of marriages begin when the partners are aged 20 or younger
People who marry young tend to have higher divorce rates within the first 10 years compared to those marrying later
Around 35% of women in the United States marry before age 23
Early marriage (under age 21) is associated with lower educational attainment, with only 40% completing college compared to 65% of those who marry later
Young marriages account for approximately 25% of all marriages in the U.S.
Couples marrying at age 18-19 are 50% more likely to divorce within 10 years than those who marry at age 25 or older
Early marriage is linked to higher rates of poverty among women, with 30% living below the federal poverty line
About 55% of women who marry at age 18-19 have children within the first three years of marriage
Society perceives early marriage as contributing to higher rates of adolescent pregnancy, which is around 18% among girls aged 15-19 in the U.S.
Women who marry early are less likely to have stable employment; only 45% are employed full-time after age 25, compared to 70% of those who marry later
Approximately 15% of all marriages involving spouses under age 20 end in separation within five years
Young marriage is more common among certain ethnic groups, with about 30% of Native American women marrying before age 20
Early marriage increases the likelihood of financial dependence on family or government assistance, with 25% of young married women receiving welfare

Marrying young may seem like the fairy tale for some, but statistics reveal it often comes with higher divorce rates, lower educational attainment, and increased financial and health challenges, prompting a deeper look into the realities behind early marriage.

Early Marriage Outcomes and Risks

People who marry young tend to have higher divorce rates within the first 10 years compared to those marrying later
Early marriage (under age 21) is associated with lower educational attainment, with only 40% completing college compared to 65% of those who marry later
Couples marrying at age 18-19 are 50% more likely to divorce within 10 years than those who marry at age 25 or older
Early marriage is linked to higher rates of poverty among women, with 30% living below the federal poverty line
About 55% of women who marry at age 18-19 have children within the first three years of marriage
Women who marry early are less likely to have stable employment; only 45% are employed full-time after age 25, compared to 70% of those who marry later
Approximately 15% of all marriages involving spouses under age 20 end in separation within five years
Early marriage increases the likelihood of financial dependence on family or government assistance, with 25% of young married women receiving welfare
Marrying young reduces the likelihood of having a long-term, stable relationship, with only 40% of those married before 20 reporting being happily married after 10 years
About 42% of women who marry at 20 or younger are not living with their spouse after five years, compared to 22% of women who marry at age 26 or older
Early marriage correlates with increased mental health issues, with 31% of young married women reporting depression, compared to 16% of women who marry later
Marrying young is associated with higher rates of domestic violence; about 22% of women married before 20 experience abuse, versus 14% who marry after 25
Marrying early tends to reduce long-term financial security, with only 35% of women aged 25-30 who married young owning assets, compared to 60% of those married later
Young marriages are more often characterized by lower relationship satisfaction, with 49% reporting dissatisfaction after five years, versus 30% of those marrying at an older age
Early marriage is associated with higher dropout rates from secondary school among girls—about 25% do not complete high school
The likelihood of remarriage after divorce is lower for those who marry early; only 25% remarry within five years, compared to 40% of later-marrying individuals
Early marriage is associated with reduced access to reproductive health services; only 45% of young married women report using contraception consistently
About 12% of women who marry before 21 experience regret about their marriage, indicating emotional and psychological impacts
Early marriage can lead to increased health risks during pregnancy, with complications reported in 23% of young mothers compared to 12% of older mothers
In some regions, early marriage is linked to increased rates of HIV/AIDS among young women, with prevalence rates of 4% in married girls under 19, versus 1% in older women
Among women who marry before 20, only 20% participate regularly in decision-making within the household, compared to 55% of those who marry later
Marriage at a young age is associated with higher dropout rates from vocational training programs among women, with only 35% completing such programs, versus 65% of older married women
Academic research indicates that early marriage can hinder overall childhood development for those involved, with children in young marriages experiencing more developmental delays

Early Marriage Outcomes and Risks Interpretation

Getting married young often begets a future where financial instability, educational setbacks, and health risks outweigh the fairy-tale promise, revealing that sometimes the wisest decision is to wait until the age of maturity—rather than the age of innocence—arrives.

Health and Fertility Implications of Early Marriage

Society perceives early marriage as contributing to higher rates of adolescent pregnancy, which is around 18% among girls aged 15-19 in the U.S.
Early marriage is linked to lower fertility rates; women who marry below 20 have an average of 2 children, versus 3 among those marrying after 25

Health and Fertility Implications of Early Marriage Interpretation

While society often views early marriage as a catalyst for adolescent pregnancy, the statistics reveal that young brides tend to have fewer children overall, suggesting that early commitment may be more about societal perceptions than reproductive potential.

Legal, Cultural, and Societal Perspectives on Early Marriage

The social stigma surrounding early marriage decreases as awareness campaigns increase, with a 20% decrease in stigmatization scores over five years in targeted areas
Legal reforms banning child and early marriage have led to a 10% decrease in early marriage rates in regions where implemented effectively
In some communities, early marriage is normalized and supported by local leaders, with over 60% approval rating, creating challenges for intervention programs
Early marriage correlates with lower levels of legal awareness about marriage rights and protections, with only 30% of young brides knowledgeable about legal recourse

Legal, Cultural, and Societal Perspectives on Early Marriage Interpretation

While awareness campaigns and legal reforms are steadily chipping away at the social acceptance and prevalence of early marriage, deeply ingrained community norms and legal ignorance continue to pose significant hurdles to ensuring that young people are both protected and empowered to make informed choices about their futures.

Marriage Timing and Age Trends

Approximately 20% of marriages begin when the partners are aged 20 or younger
Around 35% of women in the United States marry before age 23
Young marriages account for approximately 25% of all marriages in the U.S.
The median age of first marriage in the U.S. has increased to 30 years for men and 28 years for women, indicating a decrease in early marriages
Premarital counseling is less common among those who marry young, with only 10% seeking counseling before marriage
Young couples are less likely to own a home; only 28% of those married before 20 do so within five years, compared to 55% of those married after 25
Marriages at a young age tend to have higher instances of religious or cultural pressure, with 70% citing such reasons as their motivation to marry early
Young marriages often have less financial independence, with 65% relying on parental or extended family support, compared to 35% of those who marry later
Young marriages contribute to gender disparities in education and employment, with women marrying early less likely to pursue higher education, only 30% do so, versus 60% of those who marry later
The average age difference between spouses in early marriages is approximately 4 years, often leading to power imbalances
Young married men are more likely to experience unemployment or underemployment—up to 25% compared to 10% for older married men
Young couples are less likely to participate in joint financial planning; only 15% engage in formal planning before marriage, compared to 45% of older couples
Marrying young often delays individual financial goals such as purchasing property or saving for retirement, with a median delay of 5 years

Marriage Timing and Age Trends Interpretation

While nearly one in five U.S. marriages begins before age 21—often under familial or cultural pressure and with less financial independence—these early unions tend to delay personal ambitions like higher education and homeownership, highlighting that marrying young can sometimes mean putting life's milestones on hold rather than advancing towards them.

Socioeconomic and Regional Variations in Early Marriage

Young marriage is more common among certain ethnic groups, with about 30% of Native American women marrying before age 20
In some rural areas, the prevalence of early marriage exceeds 50%, significantly impacting local demographics and education
Economically, young brides are more likely to remain in underpaid or informal employment settings, with 60% working outside formal sectors
The percentage of early marriages in some countries has declined over the past decade due to increased legal protections and awareness campaigns, with a 15% reduction observed in sub-Saharan Africa
The rate of marriage under age 18 varies significantly between countries, with some nations reporting rates as high as 45%, indicating cultural influences
Young marriages are more prevalent in rural areas, with rates reaching up to 58%, versus 25% in urban areas, due to cultural traditions

Socioeconomic and Regional Variations in Early Marriage Interpretation

While early marriage remains a pervasive cultural norm in certain communities, particularly in rural and Native American populations, recent progress through legal protections and awareness efforts shows promise in reducing these rates, underscoring the complex interplay between tradition, socioeconomic factors, and evolving policy landscapes.