Eastern Europe and Central Asia

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Prevalence rates

Child marriage by 15

2024-03-27T13:42:08.924230 image/svg+xml Matplotlib v3.7.1, https://matplotlib.org/ 1%

Child marriage by 18

2024-03-27T13:42:11.260166 image/svg+xml Matplotlib v3.7.1, https://matplotlib.org/ 9%

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9 % of girls in Eastern Europe and Central Asia are married before the age of 18.

Due to limited or outdated data in many countries, however, the scope of child marriage is not fully known. Child marriage in the region is driven by the persistence of gender inequality, long periods of social and economic upheavals, rising poverty, and, in some places, violent conflict.

Under 18 prevalence in Eastern Europe and Central Asia

Top 5 countries with the highest prevalence rates of child marriage in Eastern Europe and Central Asia

Top 5 countries with the highest prevalence rates of child marriage in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Position Country
1
15.0% Turkey
2
14.0% Georgia
3
13.0% Kyrgyzstan
4
12.0% Moldova
5
12.0% Albania

*Percentage of women 20-24 years old who were first married or in union before they were 18 years old. Source: UNICEF global databases 2025, based on Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), and other national surveys.

Under 18 burden in Eastern Europe and Central Asia

Top 5 countries with the highest absolute numbers of child marriage in Eastern Europe and Central Asia

Top 5 countries with the highest absolute numbers of child marriage in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Position Country
1
8,000,000 Turkey
2
5,400,000 Russia
3
1,700,000 Ukraine
4
1,100,000 Uzbekistan
5
640,600 Kazakhstan

Number of women 20-24 years old who were first married or in union before they were 18 years.

Countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia

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  • Last updated:

    11 October 2024

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