Eastern Asia

China

Absolute number

Prevalence

1 million

Married by 15: Number of girls and women (left) and percentage of women 20-24 years (right) married before age 15

0.1%
36.7 million

Married by 18: Number of girls and women (left) and percentage of women 20-24 years (right) married before age 18

3%

Prevalence of child marriage

  • China
  • Eastern Asia
Child marriage age

The line chart shows the prevalence of child marriage (before age 18) in China and Eastern Asia from 1995 to 2024.

In China, 5% of girls in 1995 married before age 18, compared with 3% in 2020, which is the latest available value.

In Eastern Asia, the prevalence was 5% in 1999 and was 3% in 2024.

Show data table
YearChinaEastern Asia
19955.0%
19994.9%
20003.8%
20043.8%
20053.5%
20093.4%
20103.3%
20143.3%
20153.8%
20193.7%
20202.8%
20242.8%
Child marriage age

China

Child Marriage
Prevalence

Residence

  • Rural
  • Urban
Show Residence data table
YearRuralUrban

Wealth

  • Poorest
  • Second
  • Middle
  • Fourth
  • Richest
Show Wealth data table
YearPoorestSecondMiddleFourthRichest

Education

  • No schooling
  • Primary education
  • Secondary or higher
Show Education data table
YearNo schoolingPrimary educationSecondary or higher
Child marriage age

Compare countries

How does China compare to other countries?

Prevalence of child marriage

  • China
Child marriage age

The line chart shows the prevalence of child marriage (before age 18) in China from 1995 to 2020.

In China, 5% of girls in 1995 married before age 18, compared with 3% in 2020, which is the latest available value.

Show data table
YearChina
19955.0%
20003.8%
20053.5%
20103.3%
20153.8%
20202.8%

Residence

Child marriage prevalence

Review the data to find if girls living in rural areas are more likely to marry in childhood than girls in urban areas

No data are available.

Show data table
CountryRuralUrbanTotal
China2.8%
Child marriage age

For more data related to child marriage, please see the child marriage country profiles available on the UNICEF Data website

UNICEF Data

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