Bangladesh has recorded the highest rate of child marriage in South Asia, with over half of all girls married before reaching the legal age of 18, according to a recent report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Experts warn that the trend, which had been improving in previous years, has sharply worsened since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sharp Rise Since the Pandemic
The UNFPA’s latest annual report, released last month, shows that 51 percent of Bangladeshi girls are married before the age of 18, a stark contrast to the rates in neighboring countries: 29 percent in Afghanistan, 23 percent in India, and 18 percent in Pakistan.
Prior to the pandemic, Bangladesh’s child marriage rate hovered around 33 percent. However, since 2020, data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics indicates a steady annual increase, driven largely by economic and social upheaval caused by pandemic-related lockdowns.
‘Before COVID-19, we weren’t the worst in South Asia,’ said Rasheda K. Chowdhury, executive director of the Campaign for Popular Education. ‘But the pandemic disrupted education, increased poverty, and heightened stress within households, all of which pushed many families to marry off their daughters at a young age.’
Poverty and Financial Burden Fueling Early Marriages
According to experts, poverty remains the primary driver of early marriages in Bangladesh. For many underprivileged families, marrying off daughters early is seen as a way to reduce household expenses.
‘Our research shows that the economic strain of the pandemic pushed many guardians, especially in low-income communities, to marry off their daughters in hopes of easing financial pressure,’ Chowdhury said. ‘In many cases, this decision is made out of sheer desperation.’
Education Not Enough to Stop the Trend
Despite having the highest rate of girls’ enrollment in secondary education in South Asia, Bangladesh is struggling to translate this achievement into meaningful progress against child marriage. Experts argue that education alone isn’t enough without broader investments in human development and awareness.
‘Bangladesh has invested heavily in infrastructure, but not enough in human development,’ Chowdhury said. ‘To prevent early marriages, communities must be involved. The government can’t act as a watchdog in every home; social engagement is essential.’
Cultural Norms and Rural Education Gaps Exacerbate the Problem
In rural and remote parts of the country, social attitudes and limited access to continued education are compounding the issue. Many areas offer schooling only up to grade eight, leaving girls with few options once they complete their basic education.
‘In these areas, girls are often seen as a burden,’ said Azizul Haque, project manager at World Vision Bangladesh. ‘After finishing eighth grade, they have little to do at home. Parents, seeing no other alternatives, often decide to marry them off.’
Haque also pointed to a significant lack of social awareness around the long-term consequences of early marriage. ‘We need a national campaign to educate families about the risks- physical, emotional, and economic, that come with child marriage.’
Call for Community-Based Action
While laws prohibiting child marriage exist, enforcement alone is insufficient, say advocates. They stress the need for community-led initiatives, widespread awareness campaigns, and greater investment in education beyond basic levels.
‘Ending child marriage requires more than policy,’ Chowdhury emphasized. ‘It demands a cultural shift, one that starts with community responsibility and a shared understanding of the value of girls’ education, health, and future.’
With child marriage on the rise, Bangladesh faces a growing challenge that threatens the wellbeing of its young population, and the progress it has made in gender equality and development. Without urgent, coordinated efforts, experts fear the trend will further entrench cycles of poverty and limit opportunities for generations of girls.
