Levels, Patterns and Determinants of Age at First Marriage among Nepali Women: Insights from Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2022

Abstract

Background: Despite legislative efforts and developmental progress, early marriage persists in Nepal. This practice has adverse consequences, including poor maternal-child health, educational disruption, and reduced economic empowerment for women. However, current understanding of its spatial distribution and temporal trends is limited. A detailed assessment of its prevalence across demographic, socioeconomic, and geographical contexts is crucial for designing targeted programs to accelerate progress toward national development goals.

Objective: This study examines the levels, patterns, and determinants of age at first marriage (AFM) among Nepali women utilizing appropriate statistical methods.

Materials and Methods: This study analyzed the 2022 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey data. Univariate and bivariate analyses to identify levels and patterns, while Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) and Multiple Classification Analysis (MCA) were employed to assess determinants associated with timing of AFM.

Results: The prevalence of marriage before age 18 among Nepali women was 50.2%, exhibiting notable variation across socio-demographic, geographical, and cultural contexts. Analysis revealed key determinants: higher women education, urban residence, and Janajati ethnicity predicted later marriage (22.2, 18.2, 18.6 years). Conversely, the earliest mean ages (≤17.7 years) were observed among Dalit, Other Terai caste groups and Madhesh residents, a trend further associated with lower levels of husband's education.

Conclusion: Determinants associated with the timing of first marriage among Nepali women include; women’s education level, place of residence, caste/ethnicity, husband’s education, spousal age difference, and age at first menstruation. These findings can provide valuable insights for policymakers, enabling them to address critical challenges and develop targeted strategies to reduce early marriage prevalence in Nepal.