Southern Asia

Nepal

Absolute number

Prevalence

1.5 million

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

6%
5.4 million

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

35%

Prevalence of child marriage

  • Nepal
  • Southern Asia
Child marriage age

The line chart shows the prevalence of child marriage (before age 18) in Nepal and Southern Asia from 1997 to 2024.

In Nepal, 55% of girls in 1997 married before age 18, compared with 35% in 2022, which is the latest available value.

In Southern Asia, the prevalence was 53% in 1999 and was 26% in 2024.

Show data table
YearNepalSouthern Asia
199754.7%
199953.1%
200254.7%
200449.5%
200749.8%
200945.9%
201241.6%
201438.6%
201737.7%
201931.8%
202234.9%
202425.6%
Child marriage age
Compare with other countries

Nepal

Child Marriage
Prevalence

Residence

  • Rural
  • Urban
Show Residence data table
YearRuralUrban
202240.2%32.5%

Wealth

  • Poorest
  • Second
  • Middle
  • Fourth
  • Richest
Show Wealth data table
YearPoorestSecondMiddleFourthRichest
202251.7%46.6%36.9%28.2%13.5%

Education

  • No schooling
  • Primary education
  • Secondary or higher
Show Education data table
YearNo schoolingPrimary educationSecondary or higher
202271.6%61.9%17.8%
Child marriage age

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How does Nepal compare to other countries?

Prevalence of child marriage

  • Nepal
Child marriage age

The line chart shows the prevalence of child marriage (before age 18) in Nepal from 1997 to 2022.

In Nepal, 55% of girls in 1997 married before age 18, compared with 35% in 2022, which is the latest available value.

Show data table
YearNepal
199754.7%
200254.7%
200749.8%
201241.6%
201737.7%
202234.9%

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

The bubble chart shows the prevalence of child marriage (before age 18) disaggregated by residence in Nepal. Data refer to the latest available year.

In Nepal, 35% of girls married before age 18. The prevalence is 40% of girls in rural areas, compared with 33% in urban areas.

Show data table
CountryRuralUrbanTotal
Nepal40.2%32.5%34.9%
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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